News > NBC acquires Oxygen
October 10, 2007
Written by John Lichman
NBC Universal has acquired the rights to the Oxygen cable network .
The seven-year old cable channel is devoted to women's programming. It's selections and catalogue will now be distributed among other NBC Universal properties such as iVillage, the Today Show and other channels like USA and Bravo according to the Hollywood Reporter:
Laybourne indicated that NBC Uni's brands will give Oxygen crucial exposure. "What is apparent now is that we need cross promotion, and that is really the biggest issue for Oxygen," Laybourne said. "That was the attraction of NBC, plus the fact it has such quality brands."
Programming-wise, Gaspin said Oxygen will continue to target women ages 18-34, compared with Bravo's focus on women 18-54.
Execs also signaled that NBC properties like "Today" could promote some of the network's shows in similar fashion to how NBC's repurposing of Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" was key to elevating that cable channel. Oxygen potentially could replay "Today" segments.
