NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Esquire Network today announced a robust slate of innovative programming initiatives for 2015 including five original series that reinforce the network’s impressive portfolio and illustrate its ongoing commitment to creating authentic lifestyle programming that speaks to the passions and interests of men today. The new line-up of highly engaging content features COMEDIANS OF L.A. (WT), a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind series produced in partnership with Oxygen utilizing one cast for two different shows providing viewers a ‘his and hers’ point of view. GOING DEEP WITH DAVID REES, SOMM (WT), THE AGENT and UNITED STATES OF BURGERS round out the network’s 2015 new programming slate. As part of NBCUniversal Lifestyle Networks, the announcement was made today at the Bravo Media, Esquire Network and Oxygen Media Upfront Press Presentation.

Since its September 2013 launch, Esquire Network remains on a growth trajectory that continues to surpass its onset goals: it has built a men’s television channel from the ground up; converted a women’s network to a men’s network; and attracted a highly coveted audience of upscale, affluent, and educated men. Going into the 2015 Upfront, the network’s growth has been accelerated with a marked spike in ratings making it the 2^nd fastest growing entertainment cable network and #2 cable network for affluent and educated Men 18-49. Esquire continues to experience remarkable development, achieving double-digit increases across all key demographics in 4Q14 vs. 4Q13.

“It’s an exciting time at Esquire Network and we are proud of our significant and continuous growth. This new line-up will present even more of the compelling, dynamic content that is engaging our male audience, setting us up for further momentum,” said Matt Hanna, Senior Vice President of Original Programming, Esquire Network. “As a young network, we’re constantly on the look-out for new and innovative ways to deliver quality programming – COMEDIANS OF L.A., delivers a groundbreaking concept not only in the way it is produced and presented, but also in the unique and transparent perspective it will give viewers.”

A key factor of Esquire Network’s success has been the steady increase amongst its target demographic. The channel is up +71% Adults 18-49, +57% Men 18-49 and +63% in Total Viewers (1Q15TD vs. 1Q14TD). These metrics confirm Esquire Network’s ability to understand, and effectively connect with the audience it seeks to entertain.

“Esquire’s momentum continues to build, and, as one of the fastest growing cable networks, there is no other destination to reach this multi-dimensional, affluent and educated male audience across platforms within truly rich storytelling experiences,” said Laura Molen, Executive Vice President, Lifestyle Advertising Sales Group, NBCUniversal.

NEW SERIES:

COMEDIANS OF L.A. (working title)

Produced by L. Plummer Media with Lemuel Plummer as Executive Producer.

In this first-of-its-kind partnership with Oxygen, Esquire Network points an unflinching lens at the working life of a stand-up comedian onstage, backstage, and offstage. COMEDIANS OF L.A. (WT) follows rising comedians in Hollywood as they tour in concert halls worldwide and appear in blockbuster movies trying to take their careers to the next level. As they live and work in the same circles, the camaraderie and rivalries will surface as they all stand on the precipice of stardom, hustling to arrive. Oxygen’s series, LIVING WITH FUNNY (working title), focuses on their personal lives and relationships with their wives and girlfriends. The series will air during the same period on each network so fans can follow both shows seamlessly. Brandon T. Jackson is the first comedian to commit to both shows. Additional cast will be announced at a later date.

GOING DEEP WITH DAVID REES

Produced by True Entertainment with Christine Connor, Glenda Hersh, Jo Honig, David Rees and Steven Weinstock serving as Executive Producers.

Comedian, writer and entrepreneur David Rees reveals the not so obvious complexities of the most seemingly simple things we do in everyday life. Deemed a “phenomenal cult hero” by Variety and “drolly hilarious” by The New York Times, Rees plays scientific and anthropological host to this how-to show of epic proportions. Each episode delves into the science and the history behind everyday tasks, attempting to de-familiarize the ubiquitous so as to increase our appreciation and wonder. The perfect fit for Esquire, the network will air the original season and produce eight new episodes.

SOMM (working title)

Produced by Left/Right productions with Banks Tarver and Ken Druckerman serving as Executive Producers. The director of the documentary “Somm,” Jason Wise and producer Christina Wise will also serve as Executive Producers.

Master Sommelier is more than just a title; it’s a badge of honor, and to earn it you need to be a wine expert in mind, body, and spirit – an achievement measured by passing one of the world’s most difficult exams. If you can pass it, you’ll be let into a club with just over 200 members worldwide and granted access to the most desirable jobs in the entire food and wine industry. SOMM (WT) follows six aspiring master sommeliers from New York, as they prepare for the Court of Masters Sommelier exam. The series will also deliver “takeaway” information for the Esquire man, like how to navigate a daunting wine list or how to engage a sommelier without sounding like a fool.

THE AGENT

Produced by Herzog & Co. with Josh Mamann serving as Executive Producer.

THE AGENT is the real-life Jerry Maguire… a documentary series following four top sports agents as they navigate the cutthroat world of professional football. The series will provide an inside look at America’s biggest sports obsession and will deliver exclusive access that will show viewers the money. Revealing how far they are willing to go to recruit the top football talent with hopes of getting them drafted, the series highlights relentless ambition, ruthless pressure and the high-stakes of the pursuit.

UNITED STATES OF BURGERS

Produced by Coolfire Studios with Jeff Keane, David Johnson and Steve Luebbert serving as Executive Producers.

There’s no food more quintessentially American than the burger. This summer, Esquire Network is hungrily on a mission to find the next best iconic classic. A new generation is looking to take burgers to a whole new level, and that means a bigger, better, more adventurous experience that dares the taste buds. In this 6-part competition series, ingenuity is on full display as backyard BBQ kings and up-and-coming culinary hopefuls have a shot to showcase their perfected version of one of the nation’s greatest obsessions: the burger.

About Esquire Network

Esquire Network champions the pursuit of a well-played life. The lifestyle and entertainment network features programming that speaks to classic and contemporary passions and interests, from fashion and style to food and drink, travel, family and relationships. Building on Esquire magazine’s 80 years of insight into what makes men tick, Esquire Network is available wherever viewers are watching: in 70 million homes nationwide, online at http://esquiretv.com, On Demand, via mobile with the Esquire TV Now app and other platforms. Esquire Network is a unit of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. To find Esquire Network, visit: http://esquiretv.com/channelfinder.