A+E Networks is getting into business with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine.
The two companies have struck a deal under which Hello Sunshine will develop lifestyle shows for A+E’s Home Made Nation content hub — which includes programming blocks on A&E and FYI and on the company’s FAST channels. A+E announced the deal Wednesday as part of its upfront pitch to advertisers.
The first series of the agreement is called Country House Hunters, which will follow couples who — you guessed it — are looking to buy homes in the country. It’s set to premiere in the summer and will join a roster of shows on Home Made Nation that also includes Zombie House Flipping and Lakefront Luxury.
“As we grow and expand the Home Made Nation content library, A+E Networks aims to work with the top content producers and suppliers in the market. “We have found the perfect partner with Hello Sunshine and their team of female content creators who have a proven track record of producing thoughtful and engaging multi-platform content that appeals to viewers globally,” said Teri Kennedy, head of lifestyle and daytime originals at A +E Networks. “We are excited to jump in with Country House Hunters and look forward to working with the Hello Sunshine team to develop new talent and new lifestyle programs for our expanding portfolio.”
Said Hello Sunshine’s unscripted head, Sara Rea, “We are so excited to work with A&E and the Home Made Nation team to create a slate of distinct, talent-led lifestyle shows. “We have so many amazing women in the food and home space within our Hello Sunshine world, and this is the perfect partnership to showcase their inspiring talent, while entertaining viewers with premium storytelling.”
The Hello Sunshine deal follows on the heels of A+E Networks forming a partnership with Rachael Ray, taking a 50 percent stake in Ray’s Free Food Studios and ordering several shows for Home Made Nation.
In addition to the Hello Sunshine deal, A+E also announced two other real estate series orders for Home Made Nation: an update of the long-running Property Virginshosted by realtor and TV personality Wendy Wolfe, and 48 Hours to Buy, profiling people who are pressed for time to find a new home due to job transfers or other unexpected events. Both are set to premiere March 30.
Hello Sunshine, owned by Candle Media, has produced a number of unscripted shows, including Netflix’s Get Organized With The Home Edit (the company also bought the Home Edit brand in 2022), My Kind of Country at Apple TV+, Hulu’s Love in Fairhope and recently premiered Side Hustlers at the Roku Channel.