Television Programmers Say YES to Season 8 of ‘Life In Bloom’
A Season 8 Update from J:
On Christmas Eve, I received the best news from our Public Television Distributor regarding Season 8, which will premiere starting April 1, 2026.
Please let me set the stage with a little background for review…
The presence of “J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom” on Public Television, PBS and CREATE TV Networks is not a given. Each year, all the Programmers from 350 Public Television Stations, PBS and CREATE TV - all across the USA - vote “yes” of “no” for the tv shows they will be airing in their local or national markets (over 450 channels - across the USA).
Every Programmer looks at upcoming series, specials and documentaries for the coming year,
and VOTES as to whether they will air each property, or not. Each item gets a Yes or No, by each Programmer.
All programming including “J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom” must obtain at least 40% YES votes to qualify for broadcast Nationally for the coming year. This voting process takes place every year, for each NEW Season.
Now a bit of ’Life In Bloom’ behind the scenes data as well. Back in 2018-19 with our First Season of ’Life In Bloom’ my Distribution Rep had prepared me for the voting process. This Series was a NEW CONCEPT for Public Television. There had never been a Flower Life-style Show, it was a FIRST. Programmers had experienced the typical Gardening Show. We had done a good job educating Programmers about the Health and Wellness Benefits of Flowers – and how our show would be all about Flowers — specifically CUT FLOWERS. We also shared the stories behind the flowers, specifically how flower farms bring blooms to market. The show was UNIQUE, however, an Unknown in the world of Public Television.
The show’s Distribution Rep noted if we did not meet the 40% threshold of Yes Votes, we could pitch the show again the following year. We did a lot of messaging and caused a stir with Fresh Flower Bouquets for Programmers at the Fall Conference of Programmers. Then we waited with much anticipation… for the votes to be tabulated and presented for the first season.
To our Rep’s great Surprise our First Season Voting garnered 74% YES votes! We were so Excited! However, our Rep cautioned us not to get used to that high of a number, as such results can be difficult to maintain over time.
Every year since, ‘Life In Bloom’ has proven our Rep to be wrong in her assumption. Viewers and Programmers continue to respond to FLOWERS.
Season 2 78.4% YES Votes
Season 3 82.1% YES Votes
Season 4 84.6% YES Votes
Season 5 89.7% YES Votes
Season 6 94.2% YES Votes
Season 7 96.4% YES Votes
Notice the upwards TREND?! Each year our Rep has still been cautious, wanting us to know that after a show has been established, support from Programmers, looking for all things NEW, may start to wane a bit.
So, here we arrive at Season 8 - with so many challenges in the Public Television World this past year, we wondered how might the voting for ‘Life In Bloom’ be affected? We knew we were delivering another beautiful season, to the best of our ability. Featuring the NEW San Francisco Flower Market; The Journey of Lily Bulbs from Amsterdam, through the Panama Canal, to California and into the Ground; A Third Generation Flower Farmer, growing Millions of Gerberas; Plus our 100th Episode. We still had great confidence in the Power of Flowers.
Back to my opening on statement – on Christmas Eve, my phone rang. It was Rep from the show’s Distributor, APT, with news about the Voting for Season 8. She started by saying, “I didn’t think this was possible, but you ‘eek-ed’ another increase in your voting… at 97.8% for Season 8 of ‘Life In Bloom’.”
A mere 5 stations had voted ’No’. However, those stations - will still be broadcasting ‘Life In Bloom’ on their Create TV sub-station - just not their main channel. (So, it’s more of a technicality than an actual “NO” vote.) I’m also proud to note that “J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom” will air in all 50 states, on 345 Public Television Stations, including PBS and Create TV! WOW!
The Power of Flowers is Real, and we remain thankful and grateful to CalFlowers, and our additional Season 8 Underwriters – Albertsons Companies, Passion Roses, Suntory Flowers, and FabulousFlorals.com - for their support!
We’re excited to provide the first look at Season 8, which will premiere in April of 2026! Please check out this 90 Second Trailer (or Sizzle Reel - as they say in the TV Biz) at this link - https://watch.ubloom.com/life-in-bloom-season-8/videos/sizzle-reel-for-season-8-of-j-schwanke-s-life-in-bloom
One more little tidbit – while January is notorious for being a slow month in the TV world, we are proud to note that “J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom” is airing 5,584 Times this January on 412 channels, in 170 markets, in 45 states. That coverage represents 91.64% of the USA! Rest assured that ‘Life In Bloom’ is sharing the Flower Power - EVERY DAY - all across the USA!
Flower Power Onward my Friends… and thanks again for your Support!
J Schwanke