Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications to Form New Joint Venture: 'OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network'

    CHICAGO and SILVER SPRING, Md., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- In an
 unprecedented deal, Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications announced
 plans today to create "OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network." The new
 multi-platform media venture will be designed to entertain, inform and
 inspire people to live their best lives. OWN will debut in 2009 in more
 than 70 million homes, on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel.
 The venture will also include the award-winning digital platform,
 Oprah.com.
 
     (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080115/NETU083LOGO )
 
     "Fifteen years ago, I wrote in my journal that one day I would create a
 television network, as I always felt my show was just the beginning of what
 the future could hold," said Oprah Winfrey, who will serve as chairman of
 OWN. "For me, the launch of 'The Oprah Winfrey Network' is the evolution of
 the work I've been doing on television all these years and a natural
 extension of my show."
 
     "There is no stronger voice than Oprah Winfrey in engaging, motivating
 and connecting people to live healthier lives. Oprah has inspired me
 personally, and through this new venture, Oprah's talent and drive will
 have a dedicated multimedia platform to empower, engage and connect with
 people on-air and on- line," said David Zaslav, President and CEO of
 Discovery Communications. "At Discovery, our goals are to improve the
 quality of the networks while expanding the reach and success of our web
 presence. This venture does both, and having Oprah as Chairman and creative
 leader makes OWN a very unique property in a crowded media landscape."
 
     OWN's mission is to create multiple platforms for women, men and their
 families with a purpose and a passion: to celebrate life, to inspire and
 entertain, empowering viewers around the world to live their best lives,
 and by doing so, lift the lives of those around them in ever-widening
 circles.
 
     In addition to providing her talent, and personal commitment, Winfrey
 will have full editorial control over the joint venture and will be
 responsible for OWN's programming, branding and creative vision.
 
     Winfrey will serve as Chairman of The Oprah Winfrey Network, LLC and
 the venture will be 50/50 owned by Discovery and Harpo. This is a cashless
 transaction and The Oprah Winfrey Network, LLC will be an independent
 company.
 
     Discovery Communications will contribute to the venture the Discovery
 Health Channel as well as handle distribution, origination and other
 operational requirements for the proposed venture. Both organizations will
 contribute advertising sales services to the venture.
 
     The search for OWN's Chief Executive Officer to oversee day-to-day
 venture operations will begin immediately.
 
     Oprah.com offers extensive expert advice, interactive workbooks,
 photos, video, inspirational stories, books and features to more than six
 million unique visitors with more than 80 million page views per month.
 
     Since its launch in 1999, Discovery Health has given viewers access to
 the world of medicine, health and wellness through voices of experience and
 stories of inspiration. Historically, the ratings and audience share for
 Discovery Health has been less than 20% of the total ratings of viewers
 watching the Discovery Channel or TLC.
 
     Additional information regarding the formation of "OWN: The Oprah
 Winfrey Network" will be available on a media conference call -- with Oprah
 Winfrey and David Zaslav -- which is being held today, January 15, at 1:00
 p.m. Eastern / 12:00 p.m. Central / 10:00 a.m. Pacific. The call may be
 accessed by dialing 866-725-8019 (for domestic callers) or 702-477-6075
 (for international callers) and using the conference ID: 31240348.
 
     About Harpo
 
     Harpo Productions, Inc. produces the number one rated, award-winning
 "The Oprah Winfrey Show," creates and develops original TV programming, and
 operates Oprah.com, a premier women's lifestyle website. Harpo Print, LLC
 and Hearst Magazines publish the monthly O, The Oprah Magazine and
 quarterly O at Home publications. Harpo Films, Inc. produces feature films
 as well as top- rated telefilms under the "Oprah Winfrey Presents" banner.
 Harpo Radio, Inc. produces "Oprah & Friends" (Channel 156) on XM Satellite
 Radio.
 
     About Discovery Communications
 
     Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company
 reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170
 countries. Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks are led by Discovery
 Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health and HD
 Theater, with digital media properties including HowStuffWorks.com.
 Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Company (Nasdaq:  
 DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks,
 Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information, please visit
 http://www.discoverycommunications.com.
 
 
 

SOURCE Discovery Communications