Kate Juergens
Executive Vice President, Original Programming & Development
ABC Family
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Kate Juergens is Executive Vice President, Original Programming & Development, ABC Family, overseeing and responsible for the creation of the network's primetime original series, movies and specials. Juergens, who joined the network in 2004, has shepherded the growth of ABC Family's brand-defining original programming, which has been a key factor in positioning the network as a must-see destination for its Millennial audience and in driving the network's eight consecutive years of record growth. ABC Family is a Top 10 cable network.
Under Juergens and her team, the network has ramped up its original series and movie development, mounting its most aggressive programming slate in the network's history. In summer 2011, the network's slate was expanded to offer viewers three nights of original programming.
"Switched at Birth" launched in June 2011 as the channel's No. 1 original series debut in the network's history in key target demos, including Total Viewers, Adults 18-34, Women 18-34, Adults 18-49 and Women 18-49.
In summer 2010, the network debuted its new original hit series, "Pretty Little Liars," a one-hour scripted drama created and written by Marlene King and starring Lucy Hale, Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson and Shay Mitchell. "Pretty Little Liars" returned in January 2012 to stand as the network's No. 1 original series, setting new ratings records for the channel. It is cable's No. 1 scripted series in Female Teens, and ranks No. 2 among all scripted cable series in Women 18-34 and Females 12-34. The series has become a pop culture sensation and earned many accolades, including multiple Teen Choice Awards, a People's Choice Award for Favorite Cable TV Drama and a GLAAD nomination in 2011 for Outstanding Drama Series, among others.
Summer 2010 also saw the launch of ABC Family's first breakout comedy, "Melissa & Joey," starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence. The series launch of "Melissa & Joey" stands as ABC Family's No. 1 original comedy debut ever in Total Viewers.
ABC Family also recently premiered the 5th season of the network's hit original series, "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," created by Brenda Hampton ("7th Heaven"). The series' premiere in 2008 shattered ratings records for the network, debuting as the highest rated original series premiere in the network's history. The 5th season takes the series to over 100 episodes, a first for the network. ABC Family's "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" stood as 2010's No. 1 scripted cable series in Women 18-34 and Females 12-34, and continues to be one of the hottest shows on ABCFamily.com, with episode starts pushing the site to new streaming records. "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" also won the network's first Teen Choice Award in 2008 for Choice Summer TV Show.
In summer 2012, ABC Family premiered its latest original series, "Bunheads," from "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, starring Tony Award-winning actress Sutton Foster; comedy "Baby Daddy," with Jean-Luc Bilodeau and Chelsea Kane; and unscripted series "Beverly Hills Nannies."
Juergens is responsible for developing the network's original series "Make It or Break It," the NAACP Award-winning "Lincoln Heights" and ABC Family's first scripted drama, "Wildfire." She also oversees the production and development of ABC Family's original movies, including the network's first forays into musicals with "Lovestruck: The Musical" and the holiday movie "The Mistle-Tones," starring Tia Mowry and Tori Spelling, which will air as part of the network's annual "25 Days of Christmas." She oversaw development of the network's 2009 hit "My Fake FiancŽ" (starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence) and "Holiday in Handcuffs" (starring Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez), which currently stands as the network's highest ever rated original telecast (premiering during the "25 Days of Christmas" 2007 programming extravaganza).
Prior to joining ABC Family, Juergens served as senior vice president of Development at The WB. As head of Development she was responsible for all series programming and oversaw such hit series as "Smallville," "Gilmore Girls," "Angel" and "Reba." She started her entertainment career at NBC, where she held various positions, including vice president of Programming, and was involved with such series as "Will and Grace," "The West Wing" and "Frasier." She was also a producer at Primary Entertainment, where she developed and produced "Hidden Hills" for NBC and executive-produced the original movie "The Lone Ranger" for The WB.
Juergens has been the recipient of numerous industry accolades, including CableFAX "Most Powerful Women in Cable" (2008, 2009, 2010); a Multichannel News/Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) "Wonder Women" 2009 Honoree; The Hollywood Reporter "Women in Entertainment Power 100" (2009); a Girls, Inc. 2009 Honoree; and she was named as one of the "Mediaweek 50" (2010).
Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 97 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today's families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today's relationships - told with a mix of diversity, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a combination of network defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. Emmy(r) Award-winning ABCFamily.com provides a variety of interactive entertainment and community features, from rich, fan-centric programming - including blogs, viewing parties, webisodes, full episodes of the network's hit programming, along with sneak peek exclusive previews and behind-the-scenes clips. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas." ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.