Marking the first time Oprah Winfrey has given her name to a weekly primetime series, she has sold two reality show to ABC through her Harpo label.
The Harpo label was just recently formed for the purpose of developing TV projects. Winfrey has said that she will appear in at least one of the two shows, although it's not known if she'll host either one of them.
"Oprah Winfrey getting into series TV is monumental," Steve McPherson said. "These two shows are a perfect fit for our alternative brand, with their focus on wish fulfillment and making lives better." His response is to the efforts throughout the years to attract Winfrey to primetime without any success. It's considered a huge coup for ABC Entertainment (DIS).
The first series will be called "Oprah Winfrey's The Big Give," of which ABC has ordered eight episodes up front. It will look at 10 people who are given money and resources for the purpose of unique ways to help others. Similar to other reality shows, the contestant field will be gradually eliminated until one winner emerges and getting their own wish granted.
The other series, for now called "Your Money or Your Life," will have self-contained episodes created that focus in on families that are in crisis. Similar to "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," an action team will move in and help the family with a complete life and money makeover.
Harpo's executives added that they are looking to syndicate shows through other networks as well. They want to beulid relationships across the industry.
This is the type of move that should really launch Oprah's new company off the ground. They are keeping within the confines of the brand, and will have people knocking on their doors from around the world. There's no doubt that this will succeed.
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