TCA: ABC Family picks up “Make It,” “Secret Life” for new seasons

Burbank, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2010) — ABC Family’s two hit original scripted series, The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Make It or Break It, have each been picked up for a new season, it was announced today by Paul Lee, president, ABC Family. Set to return this summer, The Secret Life of the American Teenager has been renewed for a 3rd season and Make It or Break It for its 2nd season.

“We’re thrilled to announce both The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Make It or Break It will be coming back this summer for new seasons,” said Lee. “Both returned last week to record numbers — our Millennial audience is just so passionate about these shows and has responded to both of these dramas in such a big way.”

The Secret Life of the American Teenager, which focuses on the relationships between families and friends and how they deal with issues including teen pregnancy and motherhood, currently airs on the network on Monday nights (8:00-9:00PM ET/PT). The series stars Shailene Woodley, Molly Ringwald, Mark Derwin, India Eisley, Ken Baumann, Daren Kagasoff, Francia Raisa, Megan Park and Greg Finley. It is created and executive-produced by Brenda Hampton.

Make It or Break It, set amidst the high-stakes world of competitive gymnastics, also airs on Monday nights (9:00-10:00PM ET/PT) and stars Chelsea Hobbs, Ayla Kell, Josie Loren, Cassie Scerbo, Zachary Burr Abel, Peri Gilpin, Candace Cameron Bure and Susan Ward. Make It or Break It is executive-produced by Holly Sorensen, Paul Stupin and John Ziffren, with co-executive producer Joanna Johnson.

Last week’s mid-season premiere (01/04/10) of The Secret Life of the American Teenager hit series highs, becoming ABC Family’s most-watched telecast of all time in Viewers 12-34, Females 12-34, Teens and Female Teens. In addition, the Jan. 4 episode stood as the show’s 2nd-most-watched episode on record in Total Viewers, behind only last summer’s Season 2 debut (06/22/09). The mid-season premiere episode debuted as TV’s No. 1 telecast of the 2009/10 season in Female Teens, cable’s No. 1 telecast in Females 12-34 and cable’s No. 1 scripted telecast in Viewers 12-34. In its time period, The Secret Life of the American Teenager swept cable’s No. 1 rank in the hour across all target demos, and stood as cable’s No. 1 scripted telecast in the hour in Total Viewers.

Last week’s mid-season premiere (01/04/2010) of the freshman hit Make It or Break It garnered series highs in Total Viewers, Adults 18-49, Women 18-49, Viewers 12-34, Females 12-34, Teens and Female Teens. The series drove ABC Family to its best deliveries in the hour ever in Viewers 12-34, Females 12-34, Teens and Female Teens, and posted the network’s best ratings with regular programming ever in Total Viewers, Adults 18-49 and Women 18-49. Make It or Break It stood as Monday’s No. 2 cable telecast in Females 12-34, Teens and Female Teens, behind “Secret Life,” cable’s No. 3 telecast in Women 18-34 and No. 4 in Viewers 12-34. In addition, Make It or Break It vaulted over its summer debut (06/22/09) across all demos, including by 8% in Total Viewers, 16% in Adults 18-34, 20% in Adults 18-49 and 31% in Viewers 12-34.