or


[10/09/07 - 08:04 AM]
NBC Universal to Acquire Oxygen Media
Under the agreement, NBCU will acquire Oxygen for $925 million.

[via press release from NBC]

NBC UNIVERSAL TO ACQUIRE OXYGEN MEDIA

Expands Company's Successful Cable Entertainment Business

Strengthens NBCU's Position in Fast-Growing Female Category

Seven-Year-Old Female-Targeted Network Reaches 74 Million Homes

NEW YORK - October 9, 2007 - NBC Universal is acquiring Oxygen Media, one of the nation's leading female-focused cable television networks, thus expanding its highly successful cable portfolio. The announcement was made today by Jeff Zucker, President and CEO, NBC Universal.

Under the agreement, NBCU will acquire Oxygen for $925 million. Net of financial assets, the purchase price is approximately $875 million. The network, which is available in more than 74 million homes, has been registering significant growth in both ad sales and viewership, with the just-completed third quarter being the most-watched in the history of the network. Launched in 2000, Oxygen is the only fully distributed entertainment cable channel launched in the last decade.

Zucker said: "In just seven short years, Oxygen has become the crown jewel of independent networks. It's a terrific property with a clear mission, strong brand, and desirable audience. This acquisition increases our foothold in the advertiser-coveted young, upscale, female demographic, and perfectly complements our current roster of cable channels and plays to our strength of running and operating cable networks."

The acquisition by NBC Universal is part of the company's strategy to transform its portfolio and focus on assets with potential for rapid growth. Oxygen joins NBC Universal's fully-owned cable entertainment networks, which include USA Network, the most-watched basic cable network in every key demographic; Bravo, the most upscale basic cable network, which just completed the best third quarter in its history; and SCI FI, the sixth-ranked basic cable entertainment network. Along with CNBC and MSNBC, NBC Universal's cable networks account for 50% of the company's profits, and are experiencing double-digit, year-over-year growth.

Oxygen was founded by current Chairman and CEO Geraldine Laybourne along with talk show host Oprah Winfrey and television producers Marcy Carsey, Tom Werner and Caryn Mandabach.

Commenting on the announcement, Laybourne said: "This deal with NBCU is the best way for Oxygen to grow. In seven years, we built a spectacular brand for women. We built Oxygen from scratch � we became profitable, grew from zero to 74 million subscribers and produced original programming that resonates with young women everywhere. I couldn't be more proud of my team. Now together with NBCU, Oxygen can become an even bigger brand."

Oxygen will strengthen NBC Universal's position of leadership in upscale, female-focused media. Oxygen's audience complements the viewers of Bravo and the Today show and visitors to iVillage, the leading online site for women. With these rich assets across multiple platforms, NBCU will now have an even more attractive go-to-market position in the fast-growing women's entertainment and lifestyle market.

Upon completion of the transaction, Oxygen will be merged into NBC Universal's Entertainment Cable division, which is managed by Jeff Gaspin, President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Television Group.

Said Gaspin: "We are very excited to add Oxygen to our portfolio of cable assets. We believe we can take it to the next level by expanding the quality brand that has been created by Gerry and the rest of the team."

The Oxygen purchase will be substantially self-funded through the sale of non-core assets. NBC Universal is selling its two independent Telemundo television stations: KWHY in Los Angeles, one of its two Spanish-language stations in that city, and WKAQ in Puerto Rico.

The Oxygen transaction will be accretive to earnings after the first full year, and is valued at an attractive price per subscriber of less than $12. NBC Universal expects revenue and cost synergies of approximately $35 million in 2008.

The transaction is expected to close in November following the receipt of customary regulatory approvals.

About NBC Universal:

NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

About Oxygen Media:

Oxygen is currently available in over 74 million homes. The network was launched in 2000 to fill a void in the television landscape -- creating a network targeted to younger women. Oxygen is rewriting the rulebook for women's television, with vast array of unconventional and original programming including The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, The Bad Girls Club, Tori & Dean: Inn Love and Campus Ladies. Geraldine Laybourne, the network's founder, Chairman and CEO, has led the company to be a strong advocate for women. Through programs like The Mentor's Walk, Oxygen's national program for bringing along the next generation, and "Who Cares About Girls," Oxygen's new documentary series -- Oxygen is creating The New Girls Network.





  [october 2007]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[11/22/24 - 01:31 PM]
Video: "Suits LA" Arrives February 2025 - NBC
The all-new spinoff of the beloved legal drama, starring Stephen Amell, Lex Scott Davis, Josh McDermitt, and Bryan Greenberg, lands on the West Coast.

[11/22/24 - 12:11 PM]
Video: Peacock Releases First Look at the Third Season of Emmy Award-Winning Reality Competition Series "The Traitors" Returning January 9 with Alan Cumming as Host
Last season, "The Traitors" became the #1 unscripted series in the U.S. across all streaming platforms during launch week, according to Nielsen.

[11/22/24 - 10:15 AM]
Apple's Drama "Your Friends & Neighbors" Lands Early Season Two Renewal
Starring and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Jon Hamm, "Your Friends & Neighbors" will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, April 11 with two episodes, followed by one new episode weekly through Friday, May 30.

[11/22/24 - 09:01 AM]
Apple Original Films' "Fly Me to the Moon" to Premiere December 6, 2024
Since its debut in theaters worldwide, the film has received the Verified Hot certification on Rotten Tomatoes by fans.

[11/22/24 - 08:03 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams Blumhouse's "Speak No Evil" Beginning December 6
The psychological horror thriller stars James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough, Scoot McNairy, and more!

[11/22/24 - 07:35 AM]
2024 "Emirates NBA Cup" Championship Game Exclusively on ABC and ESPN+ December 17
In addition, ESPN platforms will exclusively present a semifinal game and a quarterfinal game as part of its 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Knockout Round coverage.

[11/22/24 - 07:12 AM]
Peacock and Sky's Original Hit Drama Series "The Day of the Jackal" Scores Second Season Renewal
In the US it ranked #1 on Peacock's Top 10 TV Shows on its platform and was a Top 5 streaming original in the US for its opening weekend (according to preliminary Nielsen data).

[11/22/24 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Chef's Table" Volume 7 - Official Teaser - Netflix
Meet five world-class chefs who redefine culinary boundaries with delicious, innovative dishes honoring their diverse cultures and personal philosophies.

[11/22/24 - 05:41 AM]
"They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce" Set for January 2025 on ESPN
Airing on Friday nights/early Saturday mornings, the new personality-driven, one-hour program will take its inspiration from traditional late-night television, emphasizing a comedic approach throughout all five scheduled episodes which run in conjunction with the finale of the NFL regular season and playoffs.

[11/22/24 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "Ad Vitam" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After escaping an attempted murder, Franck Lazarev (Guillaume Canet) must find his wife Léo, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious group of armed men.

[11/21/24 - 04:01 PM]
"Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die" Premieres December 10: A Battle for Supremacy Begins
In the shadows of Korea's rugby world, seven teams engage in a fierce battle of strength, strategy, and teamwork - all vying to be crowned champion.

[11/21/24 - 04:00 PM]
ABC Presents a Two-Night Special Event To Commemorate the Diamond Anniversary of "Mary Poppins"
First, "The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20," a two-hour special from ABC News Studios chock full of rarely seen footage, photos and stories from the film's living legends, airs Wednesday, November 27 on ABC and streams next day on Hulu and Disney+.

[11/21/24 - 01:32 PM]
2024 International Emmy Nominees on Hulu
Check out these Emmy-worthy international series streaming on Hulu.

[11/21/24 - 01:12 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Semifinals Is Top Program of the Night in Adults 18-49 and All Key Women Demographics
The spectacular season 33 penultimate episode grew over the previous week's 500th episode celebration in both Total Viewers (5.19 million vs. 5.13 million) and Adults 18-49 (0.75 rating vs. 0.71 rating), hitting a season high in Total Viewers.

[11/21/24 - 01:05 PM]
NBC Orders Five Additional Episodes of Its Friday Night Comedy Hit "Happy's Place"
The "Happy's Place" premiere has hit 14 million viewers across all platforms.