Name Game: Discovery Merges Fit, Health Nets

Laura-Michalchyshyn

In another bit of cable network rebranding, the remains of Discovery Health Channel and Discovery's FitTV will now merge into Discovery Fit & Health.

The previous brand name Discovery Health has a new network in that slot: Oprah Winfrey Network or OWN. That change occurred on Jan. 1. Come February 1, Discovery will merge the real-life stories on Health with the fitness programming on FitTV.

Some of the Health network shows include "DR. G: Medical Examiner," "I'm Pregnant and... ," "911: The Bronx" and "Untold Stories of the ER." FitTV shows include "Bodies in Motion with Gilad," "Namaste Yoga" and "Shimmy."

Discovery says the network will now be available in some 50 million homes -- which is the current home of FitTV.

Laura Michalchyshyn, president and general manager of Discovery Fit & Health, stated: "This network will speak to viewers in a way that is both credible and compelling, offering unforgettable stories, authentic experts and engrossing, high-stakes circumstances."

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OWN, a partnership between Discovery Communications and Harpo Studios, has approximately 85 million subscribers. Discovery has also revamped its Discovery Kids Network into a kids' network known as The Hub, launched last October, as a joint venture between Discovery and toymaker Hasbro. It has 60 million subscribers.

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