• by David Goetzl , August 30, 2006

The arts just got a boost. A group of private investors, including The Weinstein Co., have acquired the little-distributed and little-known cable channel Ovation, The Arts Network. The move marks the movie production company's first foray into cable ownership.

The 10-year-old channel, with a distribution of 5 million homes, showcases an array of arts genres, from jazz to opera to literature. The new ownership consortium, which also includes the Hubbard Media Group, plans to relaunch the channel.

Ken Solomon, chairman-CEO of The Tennis Channel--which raised its profile last week by landing rights to the French Open--will double as chairman of Ovation. Solomon was previously involved in the launch of Scripps' Fine Living Network.

"Ken Solomon brought us his vision that a channel truly devoted to the arts can be taken to a new level, and we're thrilled that he's agreed to join the network as chairman," says Stanley E. Hubbard, Chairman of the Hubbard Media Group. "We look forward to creating a channel and a brand built around the arts which appeals to artistic and cultural passions and personal creativity."

Other members of Ovation's new executive team include: Charles Segars, CEO; Ron Garfield, COO; and Chad Gutstein, evp.