Meredith's Emmy-Nominated The Better Show To Kickoff Eighth Season

NEW YORK, Sept. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Better Show, Meredith Video Studios' nationally syndicated lifestyle talk show, announced that it will launch its eighth season beginning September 8^th, with new co-host Kristina Behr joining The Better's Show's Emmy® nominated host JD Roberto. 

Behr is a well-recognized on-air talent who has made her mark in the world of celebrity culture and news. She has worked with a broad range of national and local broadcast media outlets including MTV, Vh1, ABC, CBS, and WPIX in New York. While at WPIX, Behr created the human interest feature series, "What's Your Wish," helping people in need, as well as serving as the station's on-air entertainment producer and reporter. 

"I'm thrilled to be joining The Better Show team and getting the opportunity to work alongside such a fun and entertaining talent as JD," says Behr.

According to Nielsen, The Better Show is among the most popular daytime programs, especially among women 25 to 54, where it regularly ranks No. 1 or 2 in its time period in numerous markets.  Entering its eighth season, The Better Show airs every weekday on more than 200 stations, reaching nearly 80 percent of U.S. television households, including top markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia and Boston. 

"The Better Show continues to be the leader in creating engaging and informative content that makes a positive impact on viewers' lives," said Kieran Clarke, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Meredith Video Studios. "Our success speaks to the tremendous appeal and fun that our program offers guests and viewers alike. We are looking forward to another season that is certain to entertain our loyal viewers, and we have a few special surprises that we can't wait to share with them."

In addition to great features on everything from relationships to fashion and lifestyle trends to beauty tips, "We will be expanding the celebrity features and interviews to give our viewers more in-depth information about their favorite stars from music, television, film and theater," Clarke says. He adds that Season 8 will also feature amazing stories of real people that will inspire viewers to make their own lives better.  

Roberto is entering his fourth season as co-host of The Better Show. His television career includes roles on Frasier, All My Children, and Family Matters, and as host of the classic game show Shop 'Til You Drop. He has hosted game and reality shows for ABC, Discovery Channel, Food Network and Animal Planet, as well as guest hosting E! News Live and announcing for The Price is Right with Drew Carey. In addition, he has been a contributing writer for the Los Angeles Times, The Bump, Parents magazine and the Huffington Post.

"It's been a privilege to be part of the amazing growth of The Better Show," said Roberto. "We strive to make the lives of our viewers better and both our audience and our peers in the television community have responded.  And I'm looking forward to working with Kristina. She will add tremendous energy and talent on a daily basis." 

Additionally, joining The Better Show for Season 8 will be veteran showrunner Beth Cochran.  Her producing credits include "Katie," "Marie," "Dr. Phil," and "House Hunters." 

Upcoming guests on The Better Show include Kevin Bacon, Jennie Garth, Andy Grammar, Jenny McCarthy, Kris Jenner, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Nick Carter, Sheila E. and Nicky Hilton.

Clarke said the success of The Better Show is reflected in its A-list celebrity guests, weekly cooking segments including "Better with Allrecipes," and the branded entertainment partnerships with such well-known brands as McCormick Spices, and Mohawk carpets.

The Better Show (www.better.tv) also leverages experts from Meredith's expansive portfolio of magazine brands including Parents, Family Circle, More, Fitness, Allrecipes and Better Homes and Gardens among others.

ABOUT MEREDITH CORPORATION
Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP; www.meredith.com) has been committed to service journalism for more than 110 years.  Today, Meredith uses multiple distribution platforms – including broadcast television, print, digital, mobile, tablets and video – to provide consumers with content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising and marketing partners. 

Meredith's Local Media Group includes 15 owned or operated television stations reaching 10 percent of U.S. households.  Meredith's portfolio is concentrated in large, fast-growing markets, with seven stations in the nation's Top 25 – including Atlanta, Phoenix and Portland – and 13 in Top 50 markets. Meredith's stations produce approximately 525 hours of local news and entertainment content each week, and operate leading local digital destinations.  Additionally, Meredith Video Studios produces The Better Show, a syndicated daily lifestyle television program reaching 80 percent of U.S. TV households.

Meredith's National Media Group reaches 100 million unduplicated American women, including 60 percent of millennial women.  Meredith is the leader in creating content across media platforms in key consumer interest areas such as food, home, parenthood and health through well-known brands such as Better Homes and Gardens, Parents and Allrecipes.  The National Media Group features robust brand licensing activities, including over 3,000 SKUs of branded products at 4,000 Walmart stores across the U.S.  Meredith Xcelerated Marketing is a leader at developing and delivering custom content and customer relationship marketing programs for many of the world's top brands, including Kraft, Lowe's and Chrysler.

Meredith's balanced portfolio consistently generates substantial free cash flow, and the Company is committed to growing Total Shareholder Return through dividend payments, share repurchases and strategic business investments.  Meredith's current annualized dividend of $1.73 per share yields approximately 4 percent.  Meredith has paid a dividend for 67 straight years and increased it for 21 consecutive years.

SOURCE Meredith Corporation