A&E Greenlights RODEO GIRLS Reality Series

A&E Network has lassoed its newest original real life series "Rodeo Girls" (Working Title) from The Weinstein Company. Pre-production has commenced on the network's eight one-hour episode order. The announcement was made today by David McKillop, Executive Vice President of Programming for A&E Network and BIO Channel.

"Rodeo Girls" goes behind the scenes and offers a glimpse into the lavish and glamorous world of the women of the pro rodeo circuit. Proving that these competitions are more than just cowboy boots, chaps and spurs, these prominent and privileged rodeo queens are the exception to the rule. Made up of equal parts rhinestones and blue jeans, the ladies of the rodeo work hard, ride fast and play rough. As they travel around the country competing in their sport, these women are fueled by motivation to win, bringing their colorful attitudes with them.

Hailing from backgrounds as diverse as their credit card purchases, these women are in the center of it all and have the big rigs to prove it. Whether coming from million dollar mansions, carpools and inheritances, or working nights to make ends meet, the fierce opponents give it their all as they compete each weekend. All cattiness and drama aside, these tough cowgirls will stop at nothing to fulfill their dreams of being crowned national champion. Of course when everyone is chasing the same goal, there is plenty of backstabbing to go around...not to mention plenty of cowboys!

"We are thrilled to be working with The Weinstein Company on 'Rodeo Girls,'" said McKillop. "The women of the competitive barrel racing world are formidable athletes living sensational lives and we are excited for our viewers to go along for the wild ride."

"Rodeo Girls" is executive produced by Meryl Poster, Barbara Schneeweiss, Roe Baker and Darcy Lapier for The Weinstein Company and Stephen Land for Jupiter Entertainment. Executive producers for A&E are David McKillop, Elaine Frontain Bryant, Lily Neumeyer and Devon Graham.

A&E is "Real Life. Drama." Now reaching more than 99 million homes, A&E is television that you can't turn away from; where unscripted shows are dramatic and scripted dramas are authentic. A&E offers a diverse mix of high quality entertainment ranging from the network's original scripted series, including "The Glades" and "Longmire," to signature non-fiction franchises, including the Emmy-winning "Intervention," "Duck Dynasty," "Hoarders," "Beyond Scared Straight" and "Storage Wars," and the most successful justice shows on cable, including "The First 48." The A&E website is located at www.aetv.com.

The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC is active in television production, led by former Miramax Films President of Production Meryl Poster, who returned to the company in 2010 as President of Television. TWC is the studio behind such hit television series as the Emmy nominated and Peabody Award winning reality series "Project Runway" and its spin-off series "Project Runway All Stars" and "Project Accessory;" the VH1 reality series "Mob Wives" and its spin-off series "Mob Wives Chicago" and "Big Ang;" and the critically acclaimed HBO comedy/crime series "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" which also received a Peabody Award. The company is in production on the upcoming TLC series "Trailer Park Lives" and the Lifetime reality competition show "Supermarket Superstar" hosted by Stacy Keibler. TWC's other projects in development include the martial-arts Epic "Marco Polo" for Starz, an untitled private eye procedural for FX, and "The Nanny Diaries" developed by ABC with a pilot by Amy Sherman Palladino.