or


[05/06/11 - 10:37 AM]
Peter Liguori Named Interim CEO of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
Effective immediately, Liguori steps into the role held by Christina Norman.

[via press release from OWN]

PETER LIGUORI NAMED INTERIM CEO OF OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

Discovery Communications' Chief Operating Officer adds OWN Leadership Responsibilities Following Departure of Christina Norman

Los Angeles, CA and Silver Spring, MD - Peter Liguori has been named Interim Chief Executive Officer of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, it was announced today by Oprah Winfrey, Chairman of OWN, and David Zaslav, President and CEO of Discovery Communications. The appointment reflects a transition from a launch phase to a more long-term focus on business and creative strategy, development and execution following the network's debut on January 1, 2011.

Effective immediately, Liguori steps into the role held by Christina Norman, who led the successful launch of the multi-platform joint venture. In addition to his Chief Operating Officer (COO) responsibilities for Discovery Communications, Liguori will oversee the network as it continues building a slate of new and original content, including the October debut of Rosie O'Donnell's new talk show ROSIE and the launch of OPRAH'S NEXT CHAPTER in early 2012.

"I want to thank Christina for her important accomplishments, incredible passion and many sacrifices in helping to launch the network," said Winfrey. "With the final taping of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" only a few weeks away, I will soon be able to devote my full energies to OWN. This is a natural point of transition, and I am confident that Peter, as an integral part of the launch of OWN, will be a terrific partner for me going forward. He is one of the smartest, most creative executives in media, and I look forward to his leadership as we build our development slate and work toward the launch of OPRAH'S NEXT CHAPTER. Over the remainder of the year, Peter and I will work together to recruit a permanent CEO for OWN's next phase of growth."

"Joining OWN was a great opportunity, and launching it successfully and drawing more than 67 million viewers is one of my proudest achievements," said Norman. "My thanks to Oprah and David for entrusting me with this brand and giving me the opportunity to launch OWN. As I move on to my next challenge, I am confident the strong foundation we have built will position the network to achieve great things."

"Peter is Discovery's creative leader, and highly qualified to assume the leadership at OWN for the next phase of growth," said Zaslav. "Christina did a great job launching OWN with long-term support from both advertising and affiliate partners. Peter will now ensure that OWN reaches its full creative potential with great programming that delivers on Oprah's vision, mission and brand."

OWN debuted on January 1, 2011, and delivered double digit primetime increases across all key demos vs. Discovery Health a year ago for 1Q. Strong performing series include SEASON 25: OPRAH BEHIND THE SCENES, OUR AMERICA WITH LISA LING and THE JUDDS. Key upcoming series debuts include WHY NOT? WITH SHANIA TWAIN and FINDING SARAH, with the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson.

Among his primary responsibilities as Discovery's COO, Liguori oversees Discovery's interests in its joint venture channels, The Hub, 3net and OWN, as well as providing leadership for the company's operational organizations, including Marketing, Discovery Studios, Corporate Communications and Corporate Affairs, Business Affairs, Research, Digital Media and Commerce, and Media Technology, Production and Operations. In addition to his operational role, he also oversees Discovery's cross-company global Creative Council with a focus on maximizing the value of the company's content, marketing resources and overall corporate assets.

Before joining Discovery in 2009, Liguori most recently served as president of entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company, where he was responsible for all Fox program development and marketing. Prior to assuming that position in 2005, Liguori was president and CEO of News Corp.'s FX Networks since 1998, overseeing business and programming operations for FX and Fox Movie Channel. Under his leadership, over a five-year period, FX grew from an emerging network reaching 39 million homes to a top-five basic cable network reaching more than 84 million homes and recording all-time highs in ratings and revenue.

Liguori joined Fox/Liberty Networks in 1996 as Senior Vice President, Marketing for a new joint venture, which now includes Fox Sports Net, FX, Fox Sports World, SPEED and National Geographic Channel. Prior to joining Fox, Liguori was Vice President, Consumer Marketing at HBO. He also held several positions in HBO's Home Video Division, including Vice President, Marketing and Senior Vice President, Marketing, where his duties included the creation and implementation of marketing programs for all HBO Home Video product expansion and the development of its programming line-up.

Liguori also has experience as a producer of the widely acclaimed independent feature film, "Big Night." Prior to HBO, he worked in advertising at Ogilvy & Mather and Saatchi & Saatchi.

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 approximately 80 million homes on what was the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 200 countries. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 130-plus worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as US joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.





  [may 2011]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


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





[08/27/26 - 02:08 PM]
Andre "3000" Benjamin Officially Joins the Cast of "Scooby-Doo: Origins"
The live action series is coming to Netflix in 2027.

[08/27/26 - 01:30 PM]
"The Price Is Right" and "Let's Make a Deal" Honor 60 Years of "Star Trek" with Special Episodes Airing Tuesday, Sept. 8 on CBS
It's a celebration six decades in the making and will be one for the starship logs.

[08/27/26 - 01:15 PM]
"Star Trek" Boldly Celebrates 60 Years on Sept. 8
Additional 60th anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the remainder of 2026.

[08/27/26 - 12:36 PM]
America's Most High-Stakes Trivia Show Is Back on an All-New Special Advance Premiere of "The Floor" Sunday, September 13, on FOX
The special telecast will be followed by the one-hour season finale of "American Dad."

[08/27/26 - 12:01 PM]
Hulu Renews Hit Drama Series "Furious" for a Second Season
Views for episode 7 were up 40% from the premiere (based on 1 day views).

[08/27/26 - 11:15 AM]
Paramount+ Renews Carl Weber's "Black Hamptons" and "Family Business," and Tyler Perry's "Divorced Sistas" and "Zatima" for Additional Seasons
These series are a testament to the deep connection these characters and their worlds have built with fans season after season.

[08/27/26 - 11:13 AM]
Amazon MGM Studios Orders "Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone" to Series, Starring Penn Badgley from David Hemingson
The project is based on Benjamin Stevenson's bestselling novel.

[08/27/26 - 11:00 AM]
Video: All Reality and We TV Release Trailer and Key Art for New Original Unscripted Series "Love After Lockup: Relationship Rehab" Premiering Friday, October 2
The nine-episode series gathers five fan-favorite couples from the "Love After Lockup" franchise as they embark on a transformative journey with psychiatrist and nationally recognized relationship expert Dr. Ish Major, working to heal old wounds and rebuild their relationships.

[08/27/26 - 10:15 AM]
Adult Swim to Serve Up New Series "Get Jiro" October 3
From Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios and starring Brian Tee, the series transports viewers to a post-apocalyptic, near-future Los Angeles where culinary culture reigns supreme and the world's most powerful figures are chefs.

[08/27/26 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Starz Debuts Exhilarating Trailer and Key Art for Season Two of "Outlander: Blood of My Blood," Premiering Friday, September 18
The heart-pounding new trailer takes viewers on a captivating journey back in time to 1700s Scotland and the start of the Jacobite Uprising.

[08/27/26 - 10:00 AM]
The CW Network to Broadcast San Diego's 2026 Poinsettia Bowl and Holiday Bowl Games
The SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl returns to the college football schedule after a decade-long hiatus live on Wednesday, December 23, at 7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT, with the Holiday Bowl following on Monday, December 28, at 5:00pm ET / 2:00pm PT.

[08/27/26 - 09:31 AM]
New Netflix Documentary Series "Born in the USA" Explores the High-Stakes World of a Busy Maternity Ward
With exclusive access to a busy maternity ward, this new premium documentary series unlocks a high-stakes hidden world: birth.

[08/27/26 - 09:01 AM]
From Peter Berg, Starring Nicholas Galitzine, Bill Skarsgard, Ray Nicholson, and Tom Francis - "The Mosquito Bowl" Comes to Theaters October 30 and on Netflix November 25
Based on a remarkable true story, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, four of America's top college football stars set their fame aside to enlist in the Marines.

[08/27/26 - 09:01 AM]
ESPN and Words + Pictures Announce October 8 Premiere for "Saban," Landmark ESPN Original Series on Hall of Fame Icon Nick Saban
The series tells the story of Saban's remarkable career, highlighted by his 17 seasons at Alabama, where he led the Crimson Tide to six national championships and reestablished the program as the preeminent force in college football.

[08/27/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "Stavros Halkias: Uncle Stav" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Fresh off becoming an uncle this year, Stavros Halkias is back for his second Netflix special, "Uncle Stav."