Harpo + HBO = Harp-BO

HBO announced today it has entered into a three-year deal with Harpo Films, from which various scripted television series, films and documentaries will spring. Harpo, which has worked with ABC in the past and has been known for its uplifting and generally Oprah-esque programming, seems excited for the new found freedom a cable network will bring. According to the company's president Kate Forte:

“There are natural limitations to being on network television,” which is dependent on ratings and commercial sponsorship....HBO is not concerned with that.... The measure of success for them is quality.”

HBO seems equally excited:

“We generally don’t have a lot of overall deals with producers with whom we don’t have a current show,” said Michael Lombard, president of HBO’s programming group. But after meeting with Forte and Winfrey at the latter’s Montecito home, “it was so clear that we had to do this deal.”

Duh, it's Oprah for goodness sake. HBO must be foaming at the mouth thinking of all those Oprah-loving soccer moms who have passed on Entourage and Big Love that will finally be calling their cable guy to sign up for the premium package. It can't hurt to be Oprah's new favorite thing. [Trib]

Photo by puroticorico.