Hearst Media Production Group To Debut Donkey King on ABC Stations Nationwide
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Premieres Weekend Mornings Starting Saturday, January 3
Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG), in partnership with Monument and veteran media executive Ron King, today announced the premiere of Donkey King, debuting Saturday, January 3, on ABC stations nationwide as part of the Weekend Adventure educational/informational (E/I) programming block (times may vary; check local listings).
The 30-minute weekly docuseries is set at Oscar’s Place Adoption Center & Sanctuary, a 75-acre nonprofit donkey rescue and sanctuary in Mendocino County, California, where more than 440 donkeys have been saved. The series follows King and dozens of volunteers as they work to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home donkeys, whose populations face mounting threats worldwide.
Studies show that donkeys have learning and problem-solving abilities comparable to those of dolphins and dogs, and they contribute to U.S. agriculture, serving as guard animals for livestock.
Before founding Oscar’s Place, King built a distinguished media career, rising to Senior Vice President at Time Inc., where he oversaw business operations for brands including InStyle, Southern Living, and Essence. He later transitioned to animal welfare, applying decades of leadership and business expertise to build Oscar’s Place and expand rescue and rehabilitation efforts for at-risk donkeys.
“True joy comes from having impact. After watching a TikTok video about donkeys in need of help, I left my media career and founded a donkey rescue,” said King. “I can’t wait to introduce viewers to their new favorite animal. Donkeys are emotional, intelligent, curious, and hilarious! Donkey King is sure to bring joy into people’s hearts and homes.
“Ron is enormously engaging, empathetic, passionate, and dedicated. What he has created through these rescues and adoptions not only changes but also saves the lives of both donkeys and humans. HMPG is the ideal partner to help us bring these stories to the world,” said Marty Patch, Founder and Executive Producer of Monument.
“This series celebrates kindness, community, and the powerful bond between people and animals. The irresistible personalities of the donkeys are sure to resonate with our audience,” said Bryan Curb, HMPG executive vice president and general manager, education/information.
HMPG’s current program portfolio comprises more than 30 original series and hundreds of hours of original content annually across broadcast, connected TV, and streaming platforms. HMPG’s library includes more than 6,000 episodes, with content available in 100 countries.
