NBC to Buy Oxygen Network
NBC Universal has announced its acquisition of Oxygen, the female-oriented cable network launched in 2000 as an alternative to Lifetime Television. NBC has agreed to pay $925 million for the channel, which is available in 74 million homes. Oxygen will be merged into NBC's stable of cable holdings that include USA, SciFi Network and Bravo. The acquisition will likely be integrated with iVillage, the Web destination for women that NBC has been trying to turn into a brand name for television. Oxygen's founders include former Nickelodeon executive Geraldine Laybourne and
Oprah Winfrey.
- Reporting by Stephen Battaglio
