Television Channels - Letter O

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

Owner: Warner Bros. Discovery (95%) and Harpo Productions (5%)
Launched: January 1, 2011
Genre: Lifestyle, Reality TV, Inspirational Programming

OWN launched on January 1, 2011, replacing the Discovery Health Channel as a joint venture between Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions and Discovery Communications. Initially a 50/50 partnership, Discovery increased its ownership to 95% by December 2020, with Harpo remaining a significant minority stakeholder and Winfrey contracted through at least 2025.

After struggling in its early years with cumulative losses reaching approximately $330 million from 2008 through 2012, the network achieved a successful turnaround through a shift toward unscripted reality series appealing to its core demographic, including popular franchises like Ready to Love and Love & Marriage. The network also features inspirational content such as Super Soul Sunday, which has garnered Daytime Emmy recognition.

In 2024, OWN reported prime premiere rating growth of 3% among women 25-54 and 6% among African American women 25-54, reflecting sustained success with its target audience. The network has become a leading destination for premium scripted and unscripted programming from today's most innovative storytellers, featuring captivating dramas, reality TV shows, and inspiring documentaries.

Active Reality TV Lifestyle

Ovation

Owner: Hubbard Broadcasting Inc. (majority), Corporate Partners II, Arcadia Investment Partners, Perry Capital
Launched: 1996
Genre: Arts, Culture, Premium Dramas
Reach: 24 million households (as of November 2023)

Ovation is America's only arts television network with an unparalleled commitment to the fine arts, culture, and captivating entertainment. The network is owned by Ovation LLC, a joint venture of Hubbard Media Group and private-equity funds, and is headquartered in the Los Angeles area.

Programming features a mix of original and acquired television series, films, documentaries, and specials targeting a multi-generational audience. Popular shows include Inside the Actors Studio, Murdoch Mysteries, Frankie Drake Mysteries, Arts Engines, The Fall, Midsomer Murders, The Art Of, Celebrity Conversations, and The Sound of New York. Ovation's Mystery Alley is a content destination for all-things mystery and crimes, featuring suspenseful whodunnits with an international flair.

The network's signature advocacy platform, STAND FOR THE ARTS, includes a coalition of over 150 arts organizations, cultural institutions, and arts leaders throughout the country raising awareness about art's positive impact. The company has provided more than $15 million in contributions and in-kind support to arts institutions and arts education. Ovation also powers JOURNY, a dedicated OTT channel where art, culture, and travel intersect.

Available on major providers including Comcast Cable/Xfinity, DIRECTV/AT&T U-verse, Charter/Spectrum, Verizon FiOS, as well as on demand.

Active Arts & Culture Independent

Oxygen

Owner: NBCUniversal Media Group (Comcast)
Launched: February 1, 2000 (Rebranded to true crime: 2017)
Genre: True Crime, Police Procedurals
Reach: 59 million households (as of November 2023)

Oxygen (branded on-air as Oxygen True Crime) was originally launched on February 1, 2000, as a lifestyle and entertainment network oriented towards women, with stakeholders including Geraldine Laybourne and Oprah Winfrey. NBCUniversal acquired Oxygen Media for $925 million in 2007.

In February 2017, NBCUniversal confirmed plans to reformat Oxygen with a focus on true crime programming aimed towards women, following growing interest in the genre among young adult women. The network had introduced a primetime block known as Crime Time which helped Oxygen see a 42% increase in total viewership. The change was accompanied by a comprehensive rebranding with a new police tape-inspired logo.

Oxygen's lineup is built largely around its existing library of unscripted true-crime programming, including flagship series Snapped (celebrating over 20 years), Cold Justice (from Wolf Entertainment), Killer Couples, Criminal Confessions, and breakout event series such as Catching a Serial Killer: Sam Little, Kim Kardashian: The Justice Project, and Aaron Hernandez Uncovered. The network also airs reruns of police procedurals such as CSI and NCIS franchises.

Seven new series and specials debuted on Oxygen True Crime in 2024, including Dateline: The Smoking Gun, Philly Homicide, A Plan to Kill, The Girl on the Milk Carton, The Alissa Turney Project, Serial Killer Capital: Los Angeles, and Lady of the Dunes. Oxygen True Crime ranked as 2022's #1 fastest-growing top 30 cable entertainment network among total viewers in both primetime and total day.

In November 2024, Comcast announced its intent to spin off most of NBCUniversal's cable properties (including Oxygen) into a new public company called Versant. On October 17, 2024, NBCUniversal announced an agreement with Bell Media to launch a Canadian version of Oxygen on January 1, 2025.

Active True Crime NBCUniversal

Outdoor Channel

Owner: Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (Outdoor Sportsman Group)
Launched: April 1, 1994
Genre: Hunting, Fishing, Shooting, Adventure
Reach: 17 million households (as of November 2023)

The Outdoor Channel was established in 1993 by George "Buzzard" Massie, founder of the Gold Prospectors' Association of America (GPAA), as a dedicated television network to promote GPAA memberships, products, and outdoor pursuits such as recreational gold prospecting, hunting, and fishing. The channel officially launched on April 1, 1994.

On March 13, 2013, Outdoor Channel Holdings Inc. announced an agreement to be acquired by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), a Denver-based company owned by billionaire Stan Kroenke, who holds ownership stakes in multiple professional sports franchises including the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and the NHL's Colorado Avalanche. Shareholders approved the transaction on May 16, 2013, at $10.25 per share in cash, valuing the company at roughly $265 million. Outdoor Channel became a wholly owned subsidiary of KSE, integrating into the newly formed Outdoor Sportsman Group alongside the Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network.

The network provides a complete spectrum of riveting hunting, fishing, shooting and adventure entertainment dedicated to the outdoor lifestyle and conservation. The primetime lineup is themed with each evening: fishing is featured on Mondays, with hunting on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, gun-specific programming on Wednesdays, and Hollywood films on Friday and Saturday nights.

Outdoor Channel celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024, reaffirming its dedication to providing educational and innovative programming for outdoor enthusiasts. In January 2024, the network reported year-over-year growth with the key male demographic (M25-54) growing in five out of seven dayparts, including triple-digit growth in Weekend (+162 percent). Overall delivery was up 18 percent.

Outdoor Sportsman Group also operates MyOutdoorTV (MOTV), a streaming service featuring 20,000-plus hunting, fishing, shooting and adventure full-length video episodes, as well as the free GAME & FISH TV channel.

Active Outdoor Sports 30+ Years

Outdoor Channel Plus

Owner: Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (Outdoor Sportsman Group)
Genre: Streaming Service - Outdoor Content
Focus: Premium hunting, fishing, shooting content with conservation support

Outdoor Channel Plus is a premium subscription streaming service offering reviews, tips, recipes and more outdoor content. The service supports conservation organizations like Trout Unlimited and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship alongside entertainment.

The platform complements the linear Outdoor Channel and MyOutdoorTV services, providing subscribers with additional premium content and exclusive features not available on the free tiers.

Active Streaming Subscription

One America News Network (OAN)

Owner: Herring Networks, Inc. (Robert Herring Sr., founder; Charles Herring, president)
Launched: July 4, 2013
Genre: News, Political Commentary
Headquarters: San Diego, California

One America News Network (OANN), also known as One America News (OAN), is a far-right news and political commentary television channel and website founded by Robert Herring Sr. and owned by Herring Networks, Inc., which launched on July 4, 2013.

Herring Networks, Inc. is a family-owned and operated, independent media company focused on providing national television programming to consumers. Robert Shelby Herring Sr. (born 1941) founded Herring Networks in 2003, which also owns AWE (A Wealth of Entertainment).

After losing distribution with major cable carriers by August 1, 2022, OAN faced significant challenges in reaching viewers. However, in May 2025, Herring Networks announced a new multi-year content carriage agreement with Spectrum. Under this agreement, OAN and AWE will be added to Spectrum TV Select and TV Stream plans, restoring OAN's availability to millions of cable households.

The network operates news bureaus in Washington, D.C., and New York City, providing national news coverage and political commentary programming.

Active News Independent

OUTtv

Owner: OUTtv Network
Launched: September 2001 (Canada)
Genre: LGBTQ+ Entertainment, Lifestyle
Availability: Canada (Cable), International (Streaming)

OUTtv is the world's first and leading LGBTQ+ TV channel and streaming service with a mix of original and authentic series, documentaries and specials that are made by and for the queer community. The Canadian English language specialty channel and streaming network launched in September 2001, focusing on general entertainment and lifestyle programming serving Canadian and international LGBT+ communities.

In Canada, OUTtv is available as a specialty channel with all major cable providers. The streaming service OUTtv.com is available on Apple TV, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV and web browsers. OUTtv is also available as a Prime Video Channel in the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia; an Apple TV Channel in the US and Canada; and on The Roku Channel in the US. Standalone subscriptions are available for $5.99/month for ad-free viewing.

OUTtv Proud is their free ad-supported channel, featuring original series, films, documentaries and more. It launched on Pluto TV in Canada in June 2023, and has since expanded to distribution in the US on Pluto, Freevee, Xumo, Plex, Rewarded.tv and TCL. In 2024, OUTtv Proud became available in the United Kingdom on Channelbox, Netgem and Plex.

Programming consists of originally produced LGBTQ+ content including Sew Fierce, Dating Unlocked, Sugar Highs, Call Me Mother, For the Love of DILFS, X-Rated, The Sherry Vine Variety Show, Dr. Jackie, and Willam Belli's courtroom show Iconic Justice. OUTtv is Canada's source for everything RuPaul's Drag Race, along with unique films, exceptional documentaries, reality, drama, and comedy programming.

The European version of OUTtv can be viewed via cable/digital television as a premium channel in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Israel and Spain, reaching more than 10 million households. OUTtv has had a European partnership since 2020 with Amazon Prime.

Active LGBTQ+ International

Olympic Channel USA Discontinued

Owner: NBC Olympics (NBCUniversal & U.S. Olympic Committee)
Launched: 2017 (Rebranded from Universal Sports)
Discontinued: September 30, 2022
Genre: Olympic Sports

Olympic Channel (branded as Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA) was an American pay television sports channel owned by NBC Olympics, a joint venture between NBC Sports and the United States Olympic Committee. It was dedicated to Olympic sports and was a franchise of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Olympic Channel operation.

In 2017, the channel relaunched as Olympic Channel, which focused on Olympic and Paralympic sports coverage, documentaries, and other programming chronicling the Olympic Games and its history. In 2021, the channel aired live event coverage during the Olympics for the first (and ultimately, only) time.

On July 1, 2022, NBCUniversal announced that Olympic Channel would close on September 30, 2022, with a representative stating the company was "reevaluating our programming distribution strategy regarding the content that currently airs on Olympic Channel." The channel shuttered operations as scheduled, with most of its content moving to streaming service Peacock. The demise of the Olympic Channel followed that of the NBC Sports Network in 2021.

For the 2024 Paris Olympics, Peacock served as the streaming home of NBC's coverage, providing the most comprehensive Olympic destination in U.S. media history. The service streamed every sport and event, including all 329 medal events. NBCUniversal holds the media rights for the Olympic Games through 2036, with coverage distributed across NBC, Peacock, USA Network, E!, CNBC, GOLF Channel, Telemundo, and Universo.