THE CHALLENGER DISASTER, Brands" Report History Among Men 25-54 Premiering This November { a Message from } David Zaslav
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
A Quarterly Publication of Discovery Communications Volume 6, Number 3, November 2013 04 05 06 Science Channel Debuts Discovery Communications Named Discovery Channel Earns Best First Dramatic Feature Film, to Interbrand's Annual "Best Global Third Quarter in Network THE CHALLENGER DISASTER, Brands" Report History Among Men 25-54 Premiering This November { A MESSAGE FROM } David Zaslav Discovery’s strong third quarter results 54 demographic was up 10% in primetime, once again demonstrate the sustained led by 18% growth at the Discovery strength of our brands and the myriad Channel. U.S. advertising revenue also of opportunities across our global grew 12% in the quarter. distribution platform. We are translating the consistent viewership gains we Internationally, as well this quarter, are delivering globally into strong Discovery again delivered double-digit advertising growth both domestically and viewership growth and, much like in internationally, while at the same time the U.S., the company’s international further leveraging our unique distribution advertising sales team is turning those footprint by capitalizing on the pay eyeballs into gains with 28% organic television evolution in many of advertising growth in the third quarter, our markets worldwide. including double-digit growth in every single region. As we continue to invest in Over the last several years, Discovery our organic growth, we also are making has continuously expanded market share, significant strides with integrating our grown advertising revenue and delivered recent SBS Nordic acquisition, and we profit growth, even as we invested remain committed to leveraging our significantly in developing new brands increased presence in these key markets. and strengthening our existing flagships. Since 2008 we have built several new networks off our existing distribution in the U.S., including Investigation Discovery, “…Discovery’s domestic Destination America, OWN: Oprah Winfrey networks delivered the Network, Hub Network and Velocity. We also have refocused existing networks best third quarter ever.” such as Animal Planet and Science, rolled ( ) out TLC and Investigation Discovery as international brands, and reinforced our Overall, Discovery heads into the final flagship networks Discovery and TLC, months of 2013 with continued financial both domestically and abroad. and operating momentum as we execute on our strategic priorities. The company’s In the U.S., this investment has focus remains building out its diverse resulted in sustained audience growth set of brands and further developing its with viewership across the portfolio up global distribution platform for long- nearly 60% over the last five years. In term growth, while delivering consistent this past quarter, Discovery’s domestic financial results and shareholder value. networks delivered the best third quarter ever. Viewership among the key adult 25- David Zaslav is President and Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Communications and serves on the company’s Board of Directors. Discovery Launches Fierce New Digital Network In October, Animalist joined the Discovery and Revision3 family of digital video networks, which also include TestTube and SourceFed. Debuting with nearly seven million monthly streams, the network boasts a robust slate of 15 original, short-form digital series exploring the primal connection between humans and animals through content as cute and ferocious as the stars themselves. The network’s programming lineup includes several new shows, such as DISCOVERY SHARKS and ANIMALS WITH LOW SELF ESTEEM, which leverage Discovery’s incredible 25-year library of nature and animal footage, and also is designed to complement and support the growth of Discovery’s TV audiences. In addition, Animalist’s unique position and built-in native ad offerings allow advertisers and partners to join the mix in organic and engaging ways. Animalist brings together a wide variety of talent, from the Internet’s most famous felines to established animal experts. Jackson Galaxy of Animal Planet’s MY CAT FROM HELL will headline a new show set to launch later this year. And, in an industry first, Animalist is introducing the “Cat Pack,” original shows featuring the biggest cat celebrities – including LIL BUB’S BIG SHOW, a brand new show featuring Colonel Meow, Cole the Black Cat and more to come. All the furry fun can be accessed at Animalist.com, across mobile, YouTube and Xbox and in conjunction with additional distribution partners. Nancy Daniels Tapped to Lead TLC In September, Nancy Daniels was named Executive Vice President and General Manager for Discovery’s U.S. flagship female-targeted network, TLC. Daniels takes the helm after a stellar run as Executive Vice President of Production and Development at Discovery Channel, where she helped steer the network’s focus on live events – most notably SKYWIRE LIVE, the most-watched cable event in the second quarter of 2013. Her credits also include some of Discovery’s most popular shows, including: BERING SEA GOLD, FAST N’ LOUD, NAKED AND AFRAID, MYTHBUSTERS and the Emmy award-winning DEADLIEST CATCH. Prior to these roles, Daniels served as Senior Vice President of Production and Development at TLC, overseeing the launch of such diverse hits as CAKE BOSS, THE LITTLE COUPLE, SISTER WIVES and SARAH PALIN’S ALASKA. She also helped guide the ratings resurgence of the long-running hits WHAT NOT TO WEAR and SAY YES TO THE DRESS. Velocity Brings Eurosport Programming to U.S. Audiences Velocity and the leading European sports media group, Eurosport, announced a partnership that will bring the flagship TV network to U.S. audiences for the first time in its 24-year history. Viewers will be treated to iconic programming including: "2013 FIA European Rally Championship," "British Superbikes," "The Silk Way Rally" and "The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge." In December 2012, Discovery announced that it had acquired a 20% minority interest in Eurosport Group (Eurosport International and Eurosport France) from parent company TF1. Eurosport is the only pan-European sports channel reaching 130 million subscribers in 59 countries across Europe. The agreement also provides Discovery with the option to increase its ownership stake over time. A Quarterly Publication of Discovery Communications | NOVEMBER 2013 3 Science Channel Debuts First Dramatic Feature Film, { COVER STORY } THE CHALLENGER DISASTER, Premiering This November Americans sat in stunned silence on investigation, unafraid of raising THE the morning of January 28, 1986, questions in the face of pressure from CHALLENGER as the Space Shuttle Challenger several commission members. With tragically exploded in the clear blue unwavering persistence he employed DISASTER sky over Cape Canaveral, Fla. Just 73 exceptional integrity and scientific seconds into Challenger's 10th mission, logic to determine that two of the America's dreams of reaching beyond shuttle's O-rings failed during launch. Earth suffered a horrific setback. In the months following, a special Co-produced by the BBC, THE Presidential Commission worked to CHALLENGER DISASTER features determine the explosion's cause in the powerful performances from an hopes of making future spaceflight all-star cast that is headlined by missions safer. Of the 14 commission Academy Award-winning actor members from the domains of NASA, William Hurt ("Altered States," "Kiss the military and other affiliated of the Spider Woman," "Children of organizations, one person stood apart a Lesser God," "History of Violence," as an independent voice – Nobel Prize- "Into the Wild," "Too Big To Fail") winning scientist Dr. Richard Feynman. as the brilliant physicist Dr. Richard Feynman. Joining Hurt is actor Bruce Science Channel's first dramatic feature Greenwood ("Thirteen Days," "Star film, THE CHALLENGER DISASTER, Trek," "Super 8," "I, Robot") who premiering Saturday, November 16 from plays fellow commissioner U.S. Air 9-11 p.m. ET/PT, is the riveting story of Force General Donald Kutyna in the Dr. Feynman's role on the Presidential second lead role. He is joined by Brian Commission. Based upon Feynman's Dennehy ("First Blood," "The Belly of book, "What Do You Care What Other an Architect," "Bunker Hill," "Twelfth People Think?," THE CHALLENGER Night") as William Rogers, Chairman DISASTER chronicles Feynman's efforts of the Presidential Commission, to uncover the cause of the Challenger actress Joanne Whalley ("The Singing explosion by deftly navigating the Detective," "Edge of Darkness," many vested interests represented "The Virgin Queen," "The Borgias") on the commission, and his ability to who plays Feynman's wife Gweneth, quickly learn everything about the and Eve Best ("The King's Speech," vast complexity of the space shuttle. "Nurse Jackie," "The Shadow Line," "Shackleton") as astronaut Sally Ride. Feynman was chosen by William Robert Graham, one of his former students and As a companion to the fictional drama NASA's acting administrator, to lend THE CHALLENGER DISASTER, Science his skills to the commission. Reluctant Channel is airing FEYNMAN: THE to participate, Feynman followed his CHALLENGER on Monday, November scientific instincts during the 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. This special one- hour documentary, narrated by Bruce Greenwood, examines the remarkable life of Dr. Richard Feynman, including his work on the Challenger and his role in The Manhattan Project, a U.S. government backed program that operated during the 1940s and led to the creation of the first atomic bombs. Discovery