The Haves and Have Nots, Tyler Perry’s first original drama for the Oprah Winfrey Network, has earned a second order of 16 episodes.
The show premiered in May, earning 1.77 million viewers for its first airing. A second episode that aired the same night drew 1.8 million. That was a record premiere for OWN, which is co-owned by Discovery Communications.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Haves and Have Nots’ first 16 episode-run will end on Sept. 3. The back-order of 16 more episodes will start airing in early 2014.
“Naturally, it is wonderful to have the network’s first scripted series score so resoundingly,” OWN president Sheri Salata stated, notes The Wrap. “Tyler’s fans and OWN viewers have responded to this guilty pleasure in record numbers, and we are happy to give them more of a good thing.”
OWN didn’t say anything about the future of Love Thy Neighbor, a sitcom Perry also created for OWN. That show premiered to 1.65 million viewers.
Tyler Perry and Winfrey agreed to an exclusive deal in October 2012. Perry also produces Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, Meet The Browns and For Better Or Worse for TBS.
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