Jamila Hunter Named Head of Programming at OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2009

LOS ANGELES — Jamila Hunter has been named head of programming for OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. She will report to Christina Norman, chief executive officer of OWN.

A seasoned programming executive who has launched numerous series for NBC, 20th Century Fox Television and Bravo, Hunter is one of the industry's most successful nonfiction development executives. Hunter will oversee all aspects of programming development for the network. She begins her new role on June 10, 2009.

Hunter was an integral part of the team that rebranded Bravo when they launched seminal shows such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Project Runway, Celebrity Poker Showdown and Blow Out. She was also instrumental in the creation of NBC's alternative strategy when the network unveiled iconic reality series like Fear Factor, Last Comic Standing and The Apprentice.

"Jamila shares my passion for programming that breaks new ground and speaks to audiences in new ways," Norman said. "She has the perfect blend of experience to lead the development and creation of unique and innovative nonfiction programming worthy of our aspirations."

"This is an exciting opportunity that any programming executive would love to have," added Hunter. "OWN is setting a new standard in nonfiction programming, and I am so pleased that I have been asked to lead this team as we work together to develop programming that will inspire, enlighten and entertain."

Most recently, Hunter served as senior vice president, alternative and digital programming for NBC Entertainment, capping a tenure there that dates back to the network's coverage of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Since returning to NBC, she's been responsible for prestigious projects such as Jerry Seinfeld's upcoming series The Marriage Ref, the U.S. adaptation of the BBC series Have I Got News for You, and the comedic summer series Great American Road Trip.

From 2005 to 2008, Hunter was vice president, comedy development at 20th Century Fox Television and was responsible for the development and production of new comedy series (live action and animation) for network television. While there, she shepherded projects from such formidable creative talents as Darren Star, Shawn Levy, Steve Levitan, Robert Smigel, Dan Sterling, Dan Harmon, Dave Hemingson, Matt Silverstein and Dave Jeser among others.

Prior to 20th Television, Hunter was vice president, development and production for Bravo, where she oversaw the cable network's West Coast development and production team. While there, she supervised projects ranging from Project Greenlight and Blowout to Significant Others and Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List.

Hunter is a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, from which she holds a bachelor's degree in English.
About OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network

A joint venture between Harpo, Inc., Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network is a multiplatform media company designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN will debut in more than 70 million homes on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also will include the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's number one nonfiction media company, reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet,Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit DiscoveryCommunications.com.

About Harpo

Harpo Productions, Inc. produces the number-one–rated, award-winning The Oprah Winfrey Show; creates and develops original TV programming for primetime, syndication and cable television and operates Oprah.com (www.oprah.com), a premier lifestyle website. Harpo Print, LLC and Hearst Magazines publish the monthly O, The Oprah Magazine publication. Harpo Films is dedicated to high-quality scripted dramatic programming, and recently announced an exclusive television deal with HBO. Harpo Radio, Inc. produces Oprah Radio (XM channel 156, Sirius channel 195 as part of its "Best of XM" package) on Sirius XM Radio. A joint venture between Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, a multiplatform company, will debut in early 2010 in more than 70 million homes on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel.