(NEW YORK, NY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017)—ABC News and People are teaming up once again for a new limited primetime series titled “People Icons” premiering Tuesday, March 7 at 10 pm ET on ABC. The hour-long weekly program will be hosted by “Good Morning America” co-anchor Lara Spencer and is inspired by the iconic People magazine covers that have made a lasting impact on American culture. People's Editor-in-Chief, Jess Cagle, along with other People editors, is featured throughout the series and shares their expertise on all topics. Each inspiring, engaging, captivating episode has a different theme.

On the Premiere Episode Airing Tuesday, March 7, 10-11 pm ET: 
"Celebrity Love Stories" recounts the most fascinating and talked about celebrity love stories of our time. It takes a look back at the iconic and enduring romances we all know and love, from the Obamas to Prince William and Kate, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, the Estefans, and Hollywood legends including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

On Tuesday, March 14: 
"Heroes & Survivors" shines a light on the most harrowing, triumphant, and inspiring real-life survival and hero stories. The episode highlights everyday heroes among us who defied all odds and touched America's hearts. We’ll hear from the remarkable mom who lost both of her legs while saving her two children in two separate tornadoes that happened fifteen minutes apart. The program also revisits and updates the survivor stories in the news no one can forget, from Baby Jessica to Lauren Scruggs and more. We’ll also hear from Austin Hatch, the college student who survived two separate plane crashes, and how he's carrying on today after losing his entire family. Finally, we’ll check in with unbelievable kid survivors and pet heroes.

On Tuesday, March 21: 
"Gone Too Soon" reflects on the life and legacy of the country’s favorite celebrity stars and icons -- legendary performers, actors and comedians -- that left us all too soon. We'll recount their rise to stardom and the pivotal moments that made them legends. We’ll also sit down with their loved ones and insiders who share the real stories behind the headlines, revealing new details. For the first time, Whitney Houston's closest friend, BeBe Winans, speaks out in an exclusive interview on their friendship and a side of the mega star few ever saw. Additionally, we’ll hear from Patrick Swayze's widow Lisa Niemi and Robin William's wife Susan Williams, who opens up about the mystery illness that she says led to Williams’ death. And just weeks before the one-year anniversary of Prince’s death, the program will pay tribute to the epic singer and go inside Paisley Park. We’ll also hear from his sister, who reveals the singer’s wishes for his legacy.

On Tuesday, March 28: 
"Sexiest Man Alive" revisits favorite A-list male celebrities from People’s past and current “Sexiest Man Alive” covers. From George Clooney to Brad Pitt and the reigning “Sexiest Man Alive,” The Rock, this is one hour of sizzling television that can’t be missed. Plus, viewers will get a behind the scenes peek into what goes into landing the cover.

“People Icons” premieres on TUESDAY, MARCH 7 (10-11 pm EST) on the ABC Television Network. The series is produced by ABC'S Lincoln Square Productions. Marc Victor is the executive producer for Lincoln Square Productions; Jess Cagle and JJ Miller are executive producers for People.

# # #

---

ABOUT LINCOLN SQUARE PRODUCTIONS 
ABC News’ Lincoln Square Productions produces original content for broadcast, cable and digital distribution specializing in entertaining ways to tell fact based stories, including ABC’s “What Would You Do?,” ABC’s “Madoff,” the OSCAR Red Carpet Opening Ceremony,” Investigation Discovery’s “Barbara Walters Presents,” as well as documentary programming for a wide array of partners, including PBS, Discovery Communications and A & E Networks. Lincoln Square Productions is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. The headquarters are located in New York City’s Lincoln Square neighborhood. Morgan Hertzan is Senior Vice President of Lincoln Square Productions. 

 

ABOUT TIME INC. 
Time Inc. (NYSE:TIME) is a leading content company that engages over 150 million consumers every month through our portfolio of premium brands across platforms. By combining our distinctive content with our proprietary data and people-based targeting, we offer highly differentiated end-to-end solutions to marketers across the multimedia landscape. Our influential brands include People, Time, Fortune, Sports Illustrated, InStyle, Real Simple and Southern Living, as well as more than 50 diverse titles in the United Kingdom. Time Inc. has been extending the power of our brands through various acquisitions and investments, including Viant, an advertising technology firm with a specialized people-based marketing platform; The Foundry, Time Inc.’s creative lab and content studio; and the People Entertainment Weekly Network (PEN). The company is also home to celebrated events, such as the Time 100, Fortune Most Powerful Women, People’s Sexiest Man Alive, Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year, the Essence Festival and the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. 

 

ABOUT PEOPLE 
Time Inc.’s People revolutionized personality journalism when it launched in 1974 with a mission to celebrate extraordinary people doing ordinary things and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Ubiquitous and still at the center of pop culture more than 40 years later, the People brand is accessible across all media and platforms (print, digital, video, OTT, mobile, social) bringing more than 80 million consumers a unique mix of breaking entertainment news, exclusive photos, video, unparalleled access to the red carpet, celebrities, and in-depth reporting on the most compelling newsmakers of our time. An essential component of People’s editorial vision remains human interest stories, which touch and often mirror the lives of our passionate audience. And now, the People/Entertainment Weekly Network (PEN) app offers a free, advertiser-supported OTT streaming video service. People is an award-winning 24/7 news organization headquartered in NYC with reporters worldwide. For more information visit People.com and Timeinc.com, and follow @people on Twitter and Instagram, @peoplemag on Facebook, and the People channel on YouTube and on Snapchat’s Discover. 

 

CONTACT: 

 

People 
Marnie Perez, 212.522.6300, Marnie_Perez@peoplemag.com 
Julie Farin, 212.522.6300, Julie_Farin@peoplemag.com 

 

ABC: 
Alison Bridgman, 212-456-1578