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

Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications to Form New Joint Venture: 'OWN:
The Oprah Winfrey Network'
OWN to Premiere in 2009 with Distribution in 70 Million U.S. Homes Will Be
Simulcast in HD and Includes the Power of Oprah.com

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.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080115/NETU105 )
(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 was held today, January 15, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern /
12:00 p.m. Central / 10:00 a.m. Pacific. The transcript may be accessed by
dialing 800-642-1687 (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 www.discoverycommunications.com.
SOURCE Discovery Communications

Lisa Halliday, +1-312-633-1182, or Angela DePaul, +1-312-633-1182, both of
Harpo Inc.; or David Leavy, +1-240-662-5101, or Catherine Frymark,
+1-240-662-2934, both of Discovery Communications