Shaunie O'Neal and VH1 re-up for more "Basketball Wives"

By TV Maverick
JR Staff Writer

VH1 has had a stranglehold on the black audience ever since the days of "Flavor of Love." Following the success of that show, the cable network has given the green light to many other black oriented shows. Other struggling cable networks have copied VH1's formula in an effort to gain ratings.

Bravo, another cable network struggling for viewership, began broadcasting "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" in 2008. While the advantage still belongs to VH1, a major dent was created with this show. As she was divorcing NBA star, Shaquille O'Neal, Shaunie O'Neal needed something of her own to live from.

She had been watching "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" and decided to create a similar show with some of her friends. VH1, ironically, was looking for a similar show to compete with Bravo's hit. Early in 2010, a match made in heaven was found when Shaunie O'Neal pitched her new project to the network and they quickly agreed to do a deal with the network.

The first season of "Basketball Wives" was more successful than "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." Through that series, VH1 was able to gain a lot of viewership from Bravo. But, "Basketball Wives" has been on hiatus since the summer. Meanwhile, "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" has returned from hiatus and is back making headlines. Realizing this, VH1 recently called for a meeting with Shaunie O'Neal and they decided to come back with more episodes of "Basketball Wives."

The new season of "Basketball Wives" will premiere on December 12 at 9:00 pm.