CANNES, France, Oct. 8 - Animal Planet International, the world’s leading animal entertainment brand, today announced the launch of an informative and engaging programming slate focused on celebrating and protecting the natural world, which will roll out on the network this autumn in more than 200 million homes across the UK, Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
The programming slate includes Animals Save the Planet, a series of humorous animated short films that feature tips from animals on how to live a greener lifestyle; Crime Scene Wild, a new series that investigates the illegal wildlife trade; Going Ape, a continuing series that highlights efforts to protect endangered primates in West Africa; and Ocean Voyagers, a landmark high-definition documentary narrated by Meryl Streep that focuses on the mysterious and rarely-seen world of the humpback whale.
“This new slate of programming brings to life what is at the very core of the Animal Planet brand, which is connecting viewers to the natural world through captivating characters and stories that inform, entertain and celebrate the planet,” said Phillip Luff, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Animal Planet International.
Produced in partnership with Academy Award-winning studio Aardman Animations (Wallace & Gromit; Chicken Run), Animals Save the World is a funny, engaging series of ten short clay animation films (20 to 40-seconds in length) that feature animals demonstrating how everyone can make a difference by living a greener lifestyle – including a penguin who discovers how much effort energy-saving light bulbs can save him, and a cow who learns about the environmental impact of his own methane gas. The vignettes will premiere on Animal Planet in all international markets in late 2007.
Crime Scene Wild is a fascinating new series that uncovers the illegal wildlife trade, which is second only to drugs in terms of volume and revenue generated. The series follows former special investigative agent Steve Galster as he uses cutting-edge forensic and DNA technology to track wildlife smugglers and catch them in the act, providing viewers with a behind-the-scenes look into this world. The six x 60-minute series is produced by Cicada Productions for Animal Planet International and will premiere in all international markets starting in 4Q07.
Going Ape is a continuing half-hour series that highlights conservation in action by profiling ongoing efforts to protect primates against loggers and bush meat traders in West Africa. Filmed at the Cameroon Wildlife Aid sanctuary in Cameroon, the series documents the efforts of Rachel Hogan and her dedicated team of veterinarians and volunteers as they work to save and rehabilitate endangered chimpanzees and gorillas in the rainforest. Produced by Tigress Productions for Animal Planet International, the first 13-episode season of the series premiered last autumn. Production has commenced on a second season of the series, which will premiere in all international markets in 2008.
Narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep and filmed in high-definition, Ocean Voyagers is a visually-stunning 70-minute feature documentary that provides a rare and intimate look into the mysterious world of the humpback whale and the ocean environment. The documentary tells the story of the relationship between a mother whale and her calf over an unprecedented span of five years, following the two whales as they embark on a 7,000 mile journey from the South Pacific to Antarctica. Ocean Voyagers is produced by Off the Fence and Feodor Pitcairn Productions in association with Animal Planet International and will premiere in all international markets starting in December 2007.
About Animal PlantThe world’s leading animal entertainment brand, Animal Planet reaches 300 million households in more than 160 countries worldwide with programming customized in 24 languages. Offering intrigue, adventure, humor and relationships, Animal Planet is dedicated to mankind’s eternal fascination with the creatures that share our world. Animal Planet is a joint venture between Discovery Communications and BBC Worldwide in all international markets except the UK and Italy.
About Discovery Communications Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Through TV and digital media, Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks include Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health and HD Theater. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
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JANE ROOT TO DEPART DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS; JOHN FORD NAMED NEW PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF DISCOVERY CHANNEL
SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 28 -- David M. Zaslav, President and CEO of Discovery Communications, today announced that Jane Root, President and General Manager of Discovery Channel and The Science Channel, is leaving the company to return home to the United Kingdom. Zaslav has appointed John Ford as the new President and General Manager of Discovery Channel.
“I want to thank Jane for her passion, vision and leadership over the past three years. She has been a careful steward of our flagship brand and we are grateful that she is leaving Discovery Channel with such a strong foundation and she has built the relevance of The Science Channel – which I believe has the potential to be our next great global brand,” said Zaslav. "On behalf of the entire Discovery family, we wish Jane all the best in her future endeavors. I am confident her track record of great success will continue unabated!"
"After much consultation with friends and family, I have decided that this is the best time for me to leave Discovery and return to the United Kingdom to pursue other opportunities in the media industry. While I could not be more excited to get back home, the decision is bittersweet. I simply love Discovery and all that the brand and company represent. A big thank you to David Zaslav for his strong leadership, and to the entire Discovery Channel team for their tireless efforts, hard work and amazing creativity in programming one of the great channels of the world."
Under Root’s leadership, Discovery Channel and The Science Channel have earned double digit ratings gains in 2007 by attracting new audiences through brand-focused and innovative series such as DEADLIEST CATCH, MAN VS. WILD, and DIRTY JOBS, and worldwide programming events in EGYPT’S LOST QUEEN and Emmy Award-winning PLANET EARTH. Discovery Channel has achieved records ratings gains across Households and Persons 2+ (18% and 20%) in November versus a year ago and has delivered a Prime Median Age of 37 years old, versus 41 years old a year ago.
“John Ford is one of the best programming and operating executives in the nonfiction space, and having known him for more than a decade---he is the perfect executive to lead Discovery Channel into the future. It was important to Discovery’s long-term success to bring John’s tremendous talent to the company a few months ago and I am confident that his history with Discovery, familiarity with the brand's heritage and ground-breaking creative vision in nonfiction programming will make this great brand bigger and bolder and continue its strong growth trajectory,” Zaslav continued.
Ford rejoined Discovery Communications in September to take the helm of Discovery Times Channel and the Military Channel. Since 2003, Ford had been Executive Vice President, Programming at National Geographic Channel, where he boosted primetime ratings by 150%. Ford developed a strong slate at National Geographic Channel including NAKED SCIENCE, the popular DOG WHISPERER series, as well as specials including IN THE WOMB, INSIDE 9/11 and GALAPAGOS. For the previous 13 years, Ford was at Discovery, where he launched or expanded networks including TLC, Discovery Health Channel and HD Theater. Under his guidance, the networks earned numerous awards, including two Peabody awards and 13 Primetime Emmy nominations.
“I am incredibly honored to build upon Jane's strong track record and lead Discovery Channel into its next chapter of growth and creative excellence. Under David Zaslav’s steady management, this entire company is reaching new heights of success and I intend to make sure Discovery Channel is the pinnacle,” said Ford.
The new leadership for The Science Channel, Discovery Times (soon to be named Investigation Discovery) and Military Channel will be announced in the coming weeks.
Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks are led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health and HD Theater, with digital media properties including HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information please visit Discovery. Labels: discovery, discovery channel, discovery communications, discovery store, shoppingbrokers, shoppingbrokers.com
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