OWN Enters Exclusive Partnership with Tyler Perry

LOS ANGELES: OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has aligned with actor and producer Tyler Perry in an exclusive multi-year partnership.

OWN will be the exclusive destination for all Perry’s new TV series and projects. This includes two new scripted shows for OWN that will premiere in mid-2013. The projects mark the first original scripted series for OWN. Perry will executive produce, write and direct both of the shows.

“I have been looking forward to the day when we would be in the position to enter the world of scripted television. That day has come,” said Oprah Winfrey, the CEO of OWN. “We are all energized by the opportunity to collaborate with Tyler who has a proven track record for producing highly successful cable series. He has an incredible ability to illuminate life stories and characters in his unique voice and inspires and encourages people all over the world.”
 
"It’s a dream realized to partner with Oprah and bring scripted programming to OWN,” added Perry. "She has accomplished so much with the network and I’m excited to work with her to be a part of its continued growth."
 
“Bringing Tyler Perry exclusively to OWN is a major coup. Today’s announcement demonstrates the power of the Oprah brand to attract some of the biggest names in television and film to OWN,” commented David Zaslav, the president and CEO of Discovery Communications. “OWN’s growth over the past nine months has been nothing short of phenomenal and, with the continued support of our advertising and affiliate partners, this bold move into scripted entertainment positions OWN to continue that momentum going forward.”