• by Fern Siegel , April 2, 2013

Bravo Media is upping its original shows by 15% -- slating 17 new greenlighted series and 18 returning unscripted shows in development.

The cable network, part of NBCU, enjoyed its seventh consecutive year of ratings growth in 2012 and rose in total viewers in the key 18-49 and 25-54 demos.

Among the new summer shows is "Below Deck," about the upstairs/downstairs worlds of a young, single crew of "yachties." Also slated for summer is "Eat, Drink, Love" which details how several beautiful women pursue the high-stakes restaurant industry in Los Angeles.

One of the new fall shows is "City Sisters," featuring up-and-coming elite New Yorkers in fashion, real estate and media. The women are aggressively pursuing success in a cutthroat world where egos run high. In addition, "Extreme Guide to Parenting" will examine two different families and how they raise their kids.

Also, Courtney Kerr of "Most Eligible Dallas" will star in "Courtney Loves Dallas," in which she charts the Texas social scene with her friends. Her goal is to find the perfect Southern gent and score big in the fashion industry.

The new dramedy "Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce" is based on the book series by Vicki Iovine. It follows a bestselling author of a self-help book series secretly hiding her separation from her husband. Now in her 40s, she becomes a single woman in LA.  

Finally, there is Bravo's nod to "Downton Abbey," only American and Southern. "Southern Charm" takes a behind-the-scenes look at the top-drawer society of Charleston, South Carolina and how modern Southern aristocrats live today.

Cable chief Bonnie Hammer has Bravo as part of her extensive portfolio; she is expanding Bravo's multiscreen initiatives and increasing the number of TV360 deals.