Discovery, Chip & Joanna Gaines to Embark on Multiplatform Venture

Discovery and Magnolia, the home and lifestyle brand headed up by Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s Fixer Upper, have entered into an agreement that will see the launch of a multiplatform joint media venture.

The multiplatform media company, which has yet to be named, will comprise a linear television network and TV Everywhere app to be unveiled in summer 2020. There are also plans for a subscription streaming service for some time in the future. The venture will be inspired by Magnolia, and the Gaines will serve as chief creative officers, with HGTV’s current president, Allison Page, on board as the venture’s president.

The multiplatform undertaking will extend the Gaines’ family-friendly brand across all platforms and devices. The venture will be comprised of a linear-TV brand that will see Discovery’s DIY Network be renamed in the summer of 2020 and reprogrammed to feature new offerings currently in development and the complete library of the Gaines’ ratings hit Fixer Upper, which bowed on HGTV in 2013.

The venture will also include a TV Everywhere GO app, also slated to debut in summer 2020, and a “View and Do” OTT product that will feature live and VOD content inspired by Magnolia and curated by the Gaines. It is expected to launch following the linear rebrand and TV Everywhere service.

In her new capacity, Page will be responsible for operations for the venture, managing teams based in Waco, Texas and Knoxville, Tennessee. Page will report to David Zaslav, Discovery’s CEO, in her new role and she will continue in her current role as president of HGTV until a replacement is named.

Zaslav said: “Allison is a singular talent, a fantastic leader with an eye for developing hosts, formats and creative teams. She has been responsible for so much of the success across HGTV and Food Network in recent years and is the perfect choice to lead this important new venture.

“Chip and Joanna Gaines have become trusted, household names since the debut of Fixer Upper, and through this joint venture, Discovery is proud to extend our relationship with them,” he continued. “They’ve got authenticity and relatability, that special something that is so difficult in our business to find. People love them, their taste, their businesses—they’ve built an ecosystem that aligns perfectly with our vision at Discovery for fueling people’s passions.”

The Gaines added: “Our intention with this network is to create and curate content that inspires, encourages, and helps to build bridges across our communities. We want honest, authentic programming that brings families together. We believe David Zaslav and the team at Discovery are the perfect partners for this ambitious joint venture, and we know Allison Page is the right person to lead this charge. We’re ready to get started and are expectant for all that’s ahead.”