After some false starts, the Christian couples' new channel is now up and running.
It's been a long time coming, but the Magnolia Network is finally a reality, having debuted today on the Discovery Plus streaming platform. Originally slated to launch in the middle of last year, the channel's unveiling got bumped repeatedly, in part because of production delays related to the coronavirus outbreak.
Chip and Joanna Gaines and their partners at Discovery battled through that and now have more than 150 hours of new content available, ranging from things as diverse as home improvement and cooking to touring musicians and physical fitness: most of the shows do not feature the Gaineses. They do host several programs, though, including Fixer Upper: Welcome Home, a reboot of Fixer Upper, which first propelled them to fame. All five seasons of that hit show are available, too, as is the classic PBS show The French Chef with Julia Child.
The network's debut proved to be an emotional experience for the Texas-based parents of five. In a live interview on the Today show in New York City, Joanna said it brought tears to her eyes and compared it to giving birth.
"This morning I sat there - I was in the bathroom and I was crying - and I was like, 'Why am I crying?' It felt like I just gave birth - I always cry when I give birth - but it was like this is a baby too, two and a half years in the making and today is her debut."
Chip was quick to add that they were "tears of joy" and the committed Christian couple is clearly thrilled about their new endeavor, with Joanna saying that they are "so excited."
The Magnolia Network will eventually launch on cable TV as well, replacing Discovery's DIY Network in January of 2022. In the meantime, you have to subscribe to the Discovery Plus streaming platform to watch it. That can be done for $4.99 a month via this link, and you can check out the list of nearly 40 shows available on the network here.