HEARST MEDIA PRODUCTION GROUP CREATES LUCKY DOG SPINOFF TO DEBUT AS A NEW WEEKEND MORNING SERIES ON CBS

"Lucky Dog: Down Under" Premieres Saturday, October 4

NEW YORK, Aug. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG) today announced its new series Lucky Dog: Down Under, premiering Saturday, October 4 on CBS. The original series, based on the hit international format The Dog House Australia, will be hosted by renowned animal trainer, Brandon McMillan, the Emmy^® Award-winning host of the original Lucky Dog series.

Lucky Dog: Down Under will air weekend mornings on CBS as part of its CBS WKND educational/informational programming block (check local listings). It will follow Lucky Dog: Reunions, creating a one-hour block of the Lucky Dog franchise, which debuted in 2013. 

Lucky Dog: Down Under captures the heartwarming stories of Australian shelter dogs as they transition from rescue and rehabilitation to cherished members of loving families. Whether it's a scrappy terrier, an energetic kelpie, or a partially deaf cattle dog, audiences will discover that second chances can transform lives on both ends of the leash. 

"The Lucky Dog franchise has informed and captivated audiences for more than a decade," said Bryan Curb, HMPG executive vice president and general manager, education/information. "Taking viewers 'Down Under' will add an international spin with uplifting stories told by America's favorite animal trainer, Brandon." 

Since its inception in 2013, the Lucky Dog series has helped to rescue, rehabilitate, train and re-home more than 200 dogs. The show has received three Daytime Emmy^® Awards, 55 Telly Awards, seven Parents' Choice Awards and five Cynopsis Kids Imagination Awards. For his work on the series, McMillan earned two Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Host in a Lifestyle/Travel/Children's or Family Viewing Program.

HMPG's current program portfolio comprises more than 30 original series and hundreds of hours of original content annually on leading broadcast networks and station groups and on connected TV and streaming platforms. It has a series library of more than 6,000 episodes and its content can be found in 100 countries.

About Hearst Media Production Group

Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG), a business unit of Hearst Television, is an independent producer and distributor of original programming for TV stations, broadcast and cable networks and streaming services. HMPG produces hundreds of hours of Emmy^® Award-winning programming annually across linear, streaming, digital and social media platforms for domestic and international distribution in 100 countries. Its popular weekly educational/informational (E/I) programming blocks air weekends nationwide including "Weekend Adventure," on ABC stations; "CBS WKND," on the CBS Network; "The More You Know," on the NBC Network; "One Magnificent Morning," on the CW Network; "Mi Telemundo" on the Telemundo Network and "Go Time" on independent stations. HMPG also produces and/or distributes a diverse slate of other programming and content including the company's dedicated FAST channels Xplore, The Jack Hanna Channel, Rovr Pets, and Lucky Dog Channel, available on some of the most popular smart TVs and streaming platforms. HMPG has offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Charlotte. HMPG is represented by United Talent Agency.

SOURCE Hearst Media Production Group, LLC