Oprah Winfrey Takes On Soap Operas

The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) has given the green light to some new projects and one of them is a soapy drama titled Ambitions from producer Will Packer (Girls Trip). The show, a co-production of Lionsgate, has a daytime connection!

According to Deadline, Ambitions is a family drama about a woman, who is determined to revitalize her marriage, but finds herself going up against some powerful liars in a new locale in the process. (Ambitions is a working title so it could change.)

Deadline reports that “writer Jamey Giddens serves as co-executive producer”. That’s a familiar name to soap fans as Giddens is the co-owner and the soap blog Daytime Confidential, who also frequently hosts the DC Podcast.

Ambitions will begin production later this year and is set to premiere sometime in 2019 on OWN.

Packer is also bringing to OWN an unscripted series titled Ready to Love.

“Will is a creative powerhouse who knows what audiences want,” said Erik Logan, president of OWN in a statement. “He has an insightful approach to relationships and a keen eye for great storytelling that resonates with viewers across the board. We can’t wait to bring these two new series to our viewers.”

“Partnering with OWN to bring Ambitions and Ready to Love to their fast-growing lineup of critically acclaimed series is a win-win scenario,” said Will Packer, CEO and founder of Will Packer Media in a statement.

OWN is coming off delivered its highest rated first quarter in four years in the network’s key W25-54 demo with year-over-year gains of +6% in W25-54, +15% in African American women and +5% in total viewers. In addition, year-to-date OWN is the #1 cable network for African American women in prime time.