Discovery to launch TV channel with Oprah as partner

by Staff, Brand Republic 16-Jan-08, 11:00

NEW YORK - Discovery Networks is joining forces with Oprah Winfrey to launch a TV channel and internet venture in the US next year.

Discovery approached the daytime talk show queen with the offer to set up 'OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network', which will replace the Discovery Health Network in the second half of next year. Discovery Health is available in 70m US homes.

OWN, which will include Oprah's existing Oprah.com site, will be 50:50 owned by Discovery and Winfrey's TV production company Harpo Productions. Winfrey will be chairman, have editorial control and will appoint a chief executive.

Discovery will handle operations and distribution, including a possible roll out to other markets. Both partners will manage advertising sales.

David Zaslav, chief executive of Discovery, said the move gave Discovery a strong media brand.

"Discovery Health didn't have a voice and a connection with viewers that was commensurate with the platform ... There's no stronger brand in media than the Oprah brand. Our focus isn't just going to be women. This channel is really about connecting with people."

The new channel will not show Oprah's long-running daytime talk show because her syndication contract precludes it.

Oprah, who has come out as a major supporter of Democratic presidential hopeful Obama Barack, told reporters she was likely to discuss the future of the show this autumn. The syndication contract ends in 2011, but she has the option to end it in 2010.

"One day the show has to end. That may be in 2011 and it may be after 2011," she said.

The cable network will expand on Winfrey's numerous media interests, which include the talk show, the Oprah & Friends radio channel on XM satellite radio, O Magazine in partnership with Hearst, and Harpo.

Winfrey was previously an investor in Oxygen, the cable channel aimed at women, but exited the venture when it was sold to NBC for $925m (£473m) last year.