Hearst Inks new Content Deal with Samsung TV Plus

Hearst Media Production Group shows
(Image credit: Hearst Media Production Group)

NEW YORK—Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG) has announced it has licensed more than 500 hours of content to Samsung TV Plus, Samsung's free, ad-supported TV (FAST) and video-on-demand (AVOD) service.

As part of the agreement, Samsung TV Plus, which currently distributes the HMPG FAST channels Xplore, Rovr Pets, and The Jack Hanna Channel, will license more than 500 hours of HMPG original programming in the U.S., including the weekly series Lucky Dog, Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward, and various shows hosted by renowned wildlife expert Jack Hanna, among others. 

"In this evolving media landscape, we're expanding the distribution and access of HMPG's premium content reaching millions of new viewers," said Frank Biancuzzo, HMPG president. 

"Our vast library of iconic family-friendly and timely series continues to build audiences across all platforms," added Andrew Tew, HMPG senior vice president, global licensing & distribution.  "Samsung TV Plus is an ideal partner to advance our viewership footprint."

HMPG's current program portfolio comprises more than 30 original series and hundreds of hours of original content annually on leading broadcast networks and station groups and on streaming platforms.  Overall, HMPG has a library of more than 4,000 hours of programming and its content can be found in 97 countries. 

George Winslow

George Winslow is the senior content producer for TV Tech. He has written about the television, media and technology industries for nearly 30 years for such publications as Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News and TV Tech. Over the years, he has edited a number of magazines, including Multichannel News International and World Screen, and moderated panels at such major industry events as NAB and MIP TV. He has published two books and dozens of encyclopedia articles on such subjects as the media, New York City history and economics.