Oxygen Media donates archives to The Cable Center

The Cable Center received one of the largest archive collections in its history following the sale of Oxygen Media. Encompassing more than 75 boxes of artifacts, The Oxygen Media Archive collection includes records from the network's initial development to recent marketing strategies.

"This is an important donation, and we're pleased to have these assets as part of The Barco Library collection," said Library Manager Lisa Backman, "it will be an incredible resource for those facing similar challenges in the industry today, and a valuable tool for preserving cable's story."

Oxygen was founded by Geraldine Laybourne in 1998 after she brought success to several networks including Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel. The network premiered on the Web less than a year after it was announced, with the goal of leveraging television and the Web to contribute to women's personal and professional growth. Oxygen pioneered advancements in ad sales, on demand content and Internet use while growing to over 74 million viewers before its sale to NBC Universal last fall.

A wide variety of media make up the Oxygen Media Archives, including:

• 300+ tapes in VHS, DVD,Beta and U-Matic ¾ formats with content ranging from board presentations to clip reels
• Pilots and early Oxygen shows
• Branding reports, including market research and focus group results
• Internal process and presentation documents
• Marketing premiums ranging from flip-flops and sunglasses to Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency chocolates.
• Autograph books signed by Oxygen talent and guests
• A time capsule celebrating Oxygen's five-year anniversary, which holds the network's first carriage agreement, a stack of fake $100 bills, an "I love Steve Burke Bandana," branded popcorn, a martini glass and more.

"I'm a teacher and a learner. This collection tells the story of the creation of an independent network that could easily be lost. I wanted to preserve that story, and let others learn from it. The Cable Center is the perfect place to do that," said Laybourne. "I'm proud to contribute to The Center's mission to educate and celebrate the industry," she added.

"It's really a gold mine of information you wouldn't normally have access to," said Backman, "the uses of the collection are many—from studying the how to's of branding to learning how to develop a network."

The Oxygen Media Archives are available for anyone to review. Simply make an appointment during The Barco Library's business hours for a chance to peruse this one-of-a-kind collection.

For more information, please contact The Barco Library at 303.871.4679 or libraryinfo@cablecenter.org.