HEARST MEDIA PRODUCTION GROUP EXPANDS LUCKY DOG FRANCHISE WITH NEW SERIES LUCKY DOG: PAWS WITH PURPOSE, PREMIERING OCTOBER 3 ON CBS
New Series Will Lead a Full Hour of Lucky Dog Programming
NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG) today announced its new series Lucky Dog: Paws with Purpose will debut Saturday, October 3 on CBS. Produced by HMPG in an exclusive partnership with USAA, the leading financial services company for the military, veterans and their families, it will air weekend mornings on CBS as part of the "CBS WKND" educational/informational (E/I) programming block (times may vary; check local listings).
Hosted by Emmy® Award-winning animal trainer Brandon McMillan, the series, which will be followed immediately by Lucky Dog: Down Under, will lead a full hour of Lucky Dog programming on CBS.
Lucky Dog: Paws with Purpose follows McMillan as he pairs dogs with military veterans and families, creating matches that provide comfort, companionship and stability. Featured stories include Peaches, a mixed breed who may be the perfect match for an Air Force veteran and her son and Steve, a playful poodle being considered for a Marine Corps vet and her daughter. The series will also feature Smoky, a certified therapy dog and USAA's new K9 ambassador and Chief Pawsitivity Officer, alongside her handler, Chris, an Air Force Reservist and former military working dog handler.
"USAA has been taking care of our members every day since our founding 104 years ago, and Smoky is the embodiment of that as she is a symbol of comfort and well-being for our employees and the military community," said Chris Curtin, Chief Marketing Officer of USAA. "The stories in Lucky Dog: Paws with Purpose reflect the strength, resilience and connection that are such an important part of military life. We're proud to be part of a series that celebrates those experiences."
"The Lucky Dog franchise has always been about the transformative bond between people and animals," said Bryan Curb, president of Hearst Media Production Group. "Paws with Purpose builds on that foundation while shining a light on the unique experiences of military veterans, spouses and families. We know the show will resonate with our audiences and inspire viewers to see the comfort, connection and purpose dogs can bring to people's lives."
In the subsequent timeslot, Lucky Dog: Down Under – also hosted by Brandon McMillan and premiering its second season – takes viewers to Australia for heartwarming stories of shelter dogs as they transition from rescue and rehabilitation to cherished members of loving families.
Since its inception in 2013, the Lucky Dog franchise has helped to rescue, rehabilitate, train and re-home more than 200 dogs. The show has received three Daytime Emmy® Awards, 63 Telly Awards, seven Parents' Choice Awards and five Cynopsis Kids Imagination Awards. For his work on the series, McMillan has 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 content annually on leading broadcast networks and station groups and on connected TV and streaming platforms. It has a library of 85 series (6,000 episodes) and its content can be found in 100 countries.
About USAA
Founded in 1922 by 25 soldiers, USAA is among the leading providers of insurance, banking and retirement solutions and serves more than 14.5 million members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served and their families. Headquartered in San Antonio, USAA has offices in seven U.S. cities and four overseas locations and employs more than 36,000 people worldwide. Each year, USAA supports national and local nonprofits serving military families and communities. With Honor Through Action, USAA advances policy, advocacy and philanthropy to support financial security, build meaningful careers and promote overall well-being across the military community. For more information about USAA, follow us on Facebook or X (@usaa), or visit usaa.com.
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
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