Warner Bros. Shopping Barrymore Talker

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution is actively pitching a Drew Barrymore talk show, with at least one major station group, Hearst Television, already agreeing to clear it.

Multiple sources say Hearst has agreed, or is close to agreeing, to carry the show on “a large number” of its stations (in the words of one source). “The interest level right now [at Hearst] is high,” said one knowledgeable source. Hearst executives declined to comment.

Hearst’s interest in a Barrymore talk show could stem from her long association with Hearst as a celebrity who has been covered by — and appeared on covers of — the company’s women’s magazines, one source speculated. In addition to acting in movies, Barrymore, 41, runs her own cosmetics company, Flower Beauty.

A syndicated weekday talk show headlined by Barrymore has been talked about for months, but it has now moved closer to reality now that WBDTD is out there pitching it, sources tell TVNewsCheck.

With a Barrymore show entering the fray for clearances next fall, questions remain about where stations would schedule it. With more and more stations and station groups filling morning and daytime slots with their own programming — most notably expanding their footprint in local news throughout the day — eligible time slots for a new nationally syndicated hour would appear to be scarce.

However, some time periods could open up, depending on the fortunes of some syndicated hours now on the air. Observers note that NBCUniversal Television Distribution is in the process of trying to secure renewals for Steve Harvey beyond this season.

In addition, many in the industry are waiting to see how the new Harry Connick show from NBCU — Harry — will fare in its first months. If the show doesn’t work, time periods will then open up — most notably on the Fox O&Os now carrying the show where ratings have been weak in some top markets.

Until the Steve Harvey renewals are secured, the future of the show is up in the air. The host is said to be pushing for his show to move from Chicago to Los Angeles, and turn it into a more celebrity-driven talk show modeled somewhat on Ellen. If he doesn’t get his way, he might exit the show, sources suggest.

The Barrymore talk show was reported months ago to be in development by WBDTD in association with Ellen DeGeneres’ production company. DeGeneres’ talk show is also distributed by Warner Bros.

A WBDTD spokesman declined to comment.