Nigel Lythgoe and Debbie Allen to Host Ovation's Annual “Battle of the Nutcrackers” Programming Event

Special Video On Demand Sneak Peek Available November 1

CTAM:  NEW YORK -- October 6, 2011  Ovation, the only US multi-platform network dedicated to arts culture, announced today that Nigel Lythgoe, co-creator, executive producer and judge of “So You Think You Can Dance” and executive producer of “American Idol,” and director/producer/choreographer/actress Debbie Allen will co-host the network’s annual “Battle of the Nutcrackers” programming event this December.  The announcement was made today by Gaynor Strachan Chun, SVP of Marketing, at today’s morning session of the CTAM Summit conference in New York, which was sponsored by Ovation.

Beginning the week of December 12, Ovation will feature a different production of the beloved ballet every night of the week and viewers will be invited to vote for their favorite rendition online at www.ovationtv.com. Nigel Lythgoe and Debbie Allen will introduce all of the productions and provide insight and commentary about the ballet companies, the dancers and the tradition of the Nutcracker, as well as reveal the Viewers‘ Choice on Christmas Eve.  

“Ovation has enjoyed working with Nigel Lythgoe and Debbie Allen this year with our enhanced broadcasts of  ‘So You Think You Can Dance” and “Fame”.  Now, we are thrilled that they will be coming together to provide viewers with their personal, yet very informed ideas about this holiday classic,” said Strachan Chun.  “This is an annual programming event for Ovation that just gets bigger and better every year. Thanks to the participation of Nigel and Debbie, we anticipate that even more viewers will tune in to enjoy ‘Battle of the Nutcrackers’ and vote for their favorite.”

On November 1, viewers can get a sneak peek of “Battle of the Nutcrackers” when three of the productions will be made available on Video on Demand: featured in Comcast XFINITY’s Top Picks and on DIRECTV, DISH, Verizon FiOS, Insight and GCI.