‘T.D. Jakes’ In Summer Run On Tegna Stations

Tegna Media and Debmar-Mercury today announced they will offer a test of a T. D. Jakes-hosted, headline-driven, one-hour daily daytime talk show across four Tegna stations this summer. T.D. Jakes will run four weeks, from Aug. 17 to Sept. 11.

The show, produced by distributor Debmar-Mercury, Tegna Media, Emmy-nominated 44 Blue Productions (Wahlburgers, Family Court with Judge Penny), Jakes’ own TDJ Enterprises and EnLight Productions, will air at 3-4 p.m. on WFAA Dallas and at 2-3 p.m. on WXIA Atlanta, KARE Minneapolis and WKYC Cleveland.

Two multiple Emmy Award-winning daytime talk producers will serve as showrunners: Gail Steinberg, who was the force behind the original Ricki Lake Show and whose credits also include Geraldo and Montel; and Jack Mori, the senior producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show who worked closely in developing the Dr. Oz talk show, as well as serving as co-executive producer of The Queen Latifah Show.

Jakes, a Dallas pastor, entrepreneur and businessman, whose reach extends far beyond the pulpit of his 30,000-member church and humanitarian organization, The Potter’s House, will use his new platform in daytime talk to serve as a counselor, tackling socially relevant topics in the news with his unique and surprising perspectives. His eponymous talk show will offer personal stories and welcome guests for unexpected and entertaining conversations, including respectful and insightful discussions with those holding opposing viewpoints.

T.D Jakes will also use his own TV, radio, social and digital media platforms, as well as Tegna Media’s large social media footprint, to drive awareness of the show.

“T.D. Jakes has a fresh and distinctive voice and will make a great daytime talk show host,” said Bob Sullivan, SVP of programming, Tegna Media. “A charismatic leader, visionary, provocative thinker and entrepreneur with a strong, established and trusted point of view, he will be able to take on compelling topics in a thought-provoking, uplifting, hopeful and compassionate way, empowering his audience.”

Tegna and Debmar-Mercury formed a 50-50 joint venture to develop, produce, test and distribute first-run series for daytime, early fringe and access dayparts. Television executive and executive producer Stephanie Eno was later named to serve as VP of development for their projects, working closely with Alexandra Jewett and Lonnie Burstein, EVPs of programming for Debmar-Mercury.

The show will be executive produced by 44 Blue’s Emmy-nominated President and Co-Founder Stephanie Noonan Drachkovitch, Jakes, Derrick Williams (EVP, TD Jakes Entertainment) and Adriane Hopper Williams (EnLight).