PASSION DISTRIBUTION TO BRING ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING FROM OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK TO INTERNATIONAL MARKET
October 10, 2011 - Cannes, France – London based Passion Distribution will bring original programming from OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network to the international market and launch the new slate at MIPCOM, it was announced today. Passion Distribution will be showcasing at MIPCOM over 260 hours of OWN’s original series (excluding Harpo produced programming) featuring the best of celebrity and TV talent. OWN debuted in more than 77 million homes in the U.S. January 1, 2011 with original programming designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. Sally Miles, CEO, Passion Distribution says, ”We are so proud to be working with OWN. It is a unique opportunity to bring to our international buyers a catalogue of programmes that are real, true and inspiring, that include a HOT celebrity line up, and extraordinary access, and that will entertain! The shows take us on a positive and highly emotional journey. We are going to OWN those schedules at MIPCOM!” “We are pleased to have Passion distributing our original programming to the international market,” said Erik Logan, President, OWN. “Our mission at OWN is to serve the viewer, and the more people that see our programming, the more we will be fulfilling our mandate to bring light into the world with entertaining programming that inspires people to live their best lives.” At the heart of the schedule are shows including: FINDING SARAH: FROM ROYALTY TO THE REAL WORLD (6 x 60’) In an unprecedented series Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, bravely shares her emotional struggle to rebuild her life and faces tough personal issues including her finances, self esteem and physical fitness all of which have led to destructive behaviour played out to the world’s media. The Duchess hopes to change and help others through her story. A World of Wonder production. CARSON NATION (6 x 60’) In CARSON NATION, fashion and design expert Carson Kressley (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) returns doing what he does best – life changing ‘make betters’ using his superb sense of fashion and style. Each episode features three ‘make betters’ that will have the audience transfixed with Carson’s humour and compassion. Executive produced by Tom Forman’s RelativityREAL LLC. BREAKING DOWN THE BARS (7 x 60’) BREAKING DOWN THE BARS is a docu-reality series that follows the dramatic transformation of a group of female prisoners during their time at a correctional facility in Indiana. The series documents the heart-wrenching journeys of these women as they take the steps needed to reach their personal goals. The program also reveals to viewers the stories and struggles of the women’s families, as they wrestle with the reevaluation of their lives due to the incarceration of a loved one. 44 Blue produces. CONFRONTING (4 x 60’) This provocative series documents the powerful and sometimes painful mediation process in which victim and offender come together in the hopes of achieving closure. Mediation programs offer the possibility of catharsis, relief and, at their best, forgiveness. In each episode, viewers follow the real life process of both victim and offender as they prepare to confront each other, face to face, for the most important conversation of their lives. Produced by Relativity Real. WHY NOT? WITH SHANIA TWAIN (6 x 60’) WHY NOT WITH SHANIA TWAIN focuses on the global music superstar as she embarks on an inspirational journey to relinquish her heartache and rediscover her inner strength. Shania will take viewers on an uncharted path filled with risk, revelation, adventure and ultimately, self-renewal. Produced by Gay Rosenthal Productions. ASK OPRAH’S ALL STARS (14 x 60’) Dr. Phil, Suze Orman and Dr. Oz team up to answer the most pressing viewer questions about health, wealth and mental well-being. Hosted by Gayle King, it's an hour of tell-it-like-it-is advice from Oprah's favorite experts. Produced by Stage 29 Productions. About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN debuted on January 1, 2011, in 77 million homes on what was the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, www.oprah.com. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own and www.press.discovery.com/us/own. About Passion Distribution Passion offers a unique boutique and intimate style relationship with its content suppliers, both producers and broadcasters. Passion provides key market intelligence during the development process, funding and finance opportunities through gap funding, co-production and pre-sales and a world class sales team to deliver stellar results in international sales revenue. # # # Media Contacts: Passion Distribution Fraser Cameron PR & Marketing Manager +44 (0)207 199 9204 frasercameron@passiondistribution.com OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Wendy Luckenbill VP, Communications (323) 602-5566 wendy_luckenbill@own.tv
