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Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. and Discovery Communications Announce Multifaceted Programming Partnership
Martha to Rebroadcast Early Evenings on TLC in September 2005;
MSLO to Create Original Home Improvement Series for Discovery Networks
NEW YORK, July 26 -- Martha Stewart Living
Omnimedia (NYSE: MSO) and Discovery Communications today announced a
multifaceted partnership whereby Martha, MSLO's new syndicated television
show, will rebroadcast on TLC, which is owned and operated by Discovery
Communications. The companies also announced that MSLO will develop a 13-part
original home improvement series to air on one of Discovery's 16 U.S.
networks. In addition, the partnership includes distribution of selections
from the company's existing library of programming.
Martha, scheduled to launch September 12, 2005, in more than 96 percent of
the U.S., will also air on TLC in the early evening on the same day and date
as the syndicated broadcast. Martha will reach nearly 90 million homes on
TLC.
In addition to Martha, MSLO will partner with Discovery Communications on
a new 13-part original home improvement series, which focuses on six women in
transition. The women, coming off welfare programs, recovering from
bankruptcy or getting out of rehab, will be partnered with a mentor from a
renovation and design team selected by Martha Stewart Living staff. From
shingling a roof to wiring a house for electricity to painting and decorating
every room, these women will transform an old house while learning important
home building, design and renovation skills that will help each stand on their
own and begin the next chapter of their lives. The series will begin
production in the fall and is scheduled to air in 2006 on a Discovery U.S.
network to be determined at a later date.
"We're thrilled that Martha will be available to television viewers in a
later time period," said Susan Lyne, President and CEO of MSLO. "Our
partnership with Discovery Communications also will give us a platform to
create new lifestyle programming, while expanding the audience for our
evergreen library product."
"We look forward to bringing Martha Stewart's creativity and innovative
style to our viewers. This advances our goal to continue developing quality
production partnerships with original content that can build a strong and
loyal audience. We believe this multifaceted partnership with Martha Stewart
Living Omnimedia will attract a passionate and diverse audience and refresh
our early evening block on TLC," said Billy Campbell, President, Discovery
Networks, U.S.
Stated MSLO Founder Martha Stewart: "Every day, we strive to give viewers
interesting and inspiring information that will make their everyday lives
easier and more enjoyable. The new daily show will feature a live,
participatory audience, intriguing guests and our signature 'how-to' lifestyle
content. We are so excited that it will be available to TLC's inquisitive and
engaged viewers. Our new home improvement series will inspire and inform,
while mentoring and teaching valuable life skills -- from repairing brickwork,
laying flooring, painting rooms and installing a functional and lovely
kitchen."
"Early on, it was clear that Discovery Communications was the ideal
partner for our brand of lifestyle programming content. From home and kids
and animals to health and well-being, MSLO and Discovery Communications share
the same areas of interest, presenting to us limitless programming
opportunities," said Heidi Diamond, President of Television for Martha Stewart
Living Omnimedia.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications is the leading global real-world media and
entertainment company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the
Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current
global operations in more than 160 countries and territories with 1.2 billion
cumulative subscribers. DCI's over 90 networks of distinctive programming
represent 21 entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel
Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel,
The Science Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en
Espaqol, Discovery HD Theater and FitTV. DCI's other properties consist of
Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates 120 Discovery
Channel retail stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States.
DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Liberty Media Corporation
(NYSE: L), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John
S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.
About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (MSLO) is a leading provider of
original "how-to" information, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique
lifestyle content and high-quality products. MSLO is organized into four
business segments: Publishing, Television, Merchandising, and Internet/Direct
Commerce. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MSO.
We have included in this press release certain "forward-looking
statements," as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts
but instead represent only our current beliefs regarding future events, many
of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our
control. These statements can be identified by terminology such as "may,"
"will," "should," "could," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates,"
"believes," "estimates," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these
terms or other comparable terminology. The Company's actual results may differ
materially from those projected in these statements, and factors that could
cause such differences include: adverse reactions to publicity relating to
Martha Stewart by consumers, advertisers and business partners; an adverse
resolution to the pending SEC enforcement proceeding against Ms. Stewart
arising from her personal sale of non-Company stock; adverse resolution of
some or all of the Company's ongoing litigation; downturns in national and/or
local economies; shifts in our business strategies; a loss of the services of
Ms. Stewart; a loss of the services of other key personnel; a softening of the
domestic advertising market; changes in consumer reading, purchasing and/or
television viewing patterns; unanticipated increases in paper, postage or
printing costs; operational or financial problems at any of our contractual
business partners; the receptivity of consumers to our new product
introductions; and changes in government regulations affecting the Company's
industries. Certain of these and other factors are discussed in more detail in
the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, especially
under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations", which may be accessed through the SEC's World Wide
Web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company is under no obligation to update
any forward-looking statements after the date of this release.
SOURCE Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
Web Site: http://www.marthastewart.com
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