Esquire unveils launch line-up

Esquire Network, the US cablenet set to be launched by NBCUniversal and Hearst Magazines, has revealed its first slate of original programmes and premieres.

Esquire was originally due to debut this summer, replacing G4, but in May that was put back to September 23.

In addition to the previously announced commissions, competitive food series Knife Fight and Anthony Bourdain-fronted travel show The Getaway, the net has now unveiled other originals for its initial schedule.

Brew Dogs (6×60′), from Custom Productions and Redtail Media, follows two Scottish home brewers as they attempt to crack the US market with their craft beers and will debut on September 24.

Zodiak New York is working on Risky Listing (6×60′), going behind the velvet rope to look at the competitive world of the Big Apple’s nightlife scene, while Authentic Entertainment is producing White Collar Brawlers (6×60′), which pits real-life office adversaries against each other in a boxing contest. Both will air in the fall.

How I Rock It (6×30′), in which NBA superstar Baron Davis profiles musicians, celebrities and designers who are setting standards for today’s men, is being produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions and Citizen Jones.

Coolfire Media’s travel series Alternate Route (working title, 6×30′) and Horseplayers (7×60′) from Go Go Luckey Entertainment, which explores the world of horse race handicapping, are both also set to air before the end of the year.

The channel will launch with a 120-minute special on Esquire magazine’s 80th anniversary. It has also picked up the rights to several existing series including comedy Parks and Recreattion, talkshow Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and action thriller Burn Notice.