Hearst Renews Weekly ‘Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien’ for Two More Seasons

'Matter of Fact' with Soledad O'Brien' is a weekly syndicated political show from Hearst.
'Matter of Fact' with Soledad O'Brien' is a weekly syndicated political show from Hearst. (Image credit: Hearst Media Production Group/'Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien')

Hearst Television has picked up weekly political series Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien, which is produced by its sister company Hearst Media Production Group, for two more seasons. Hearst also has reupped Sony Pictures Television to distribute the show for two more seasons.

Sony is now taking Matter of Fact out to the rest of the country to be renewed. Now in its eighth season, Matter of Fact is cleared on stations covering 95% of the U.S. The show has welcomed such guests as John Legend, Danny Trejo, Donal Logue, Roxanne Gay, Jemele Hill and many journalists, authors and political experts.

Matter of Fact has been a solid performer, attracting a diverse and coveted younger audience, as well as political advertising dollars – a key revenue driver for local stations. We’re proud to work with Hearst Media Production Group and extend our longstanding agreement to distribute the show and are looking forward to taking it out to buyers later this month,” said Zack Hernandez, SVP, Syndication Sales, Sony Pictures Entertainment, in a statement.

According to Sony, Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien has grown by 5% in the 2022-23 TV season, averaging nearly 1.2 million total viewers each week. 

“Soledad and the team are at the top of their game in providing compelling, meaningful and relevant content,” said Frank Biancuzzo, president of Hearst Media Production Group, also in a statement. “Matter of Fact has an incredibly loyal following and that audience continues to grow.”

O’Brien will be inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in May. ■

Paige Albiniak

Contributing editor Paige Albiniak has been covering the business of television for more than 25 years. She is a longtime contributor to Next TV, Broadcasting + Cable and Multichannel News. She concurrently serves as editorial director for The Global Entertainment Marketing Academy of Arts & Sciences (G.E.M.A.). She has written for such publications as TVNewsCheck, The New York Post, Variety, CBS Watch and more. Albiniak was B+C’s Los Angeles bureau chief from September 2002 to 2004, and an associate editor covering Congress and lobbying for the magazine in Washington, D.C., from January 1997 - September 2002.