Discovery Communications


Discovery’s Revision3 buys YouTube channel operator

Discovery-owned online video operator Revision3 has acquired a DeFranco Creative, which operates aportfolio of online YouTube networks, and handed its founder a senior management position. The deal sees Revision3 pay an undisclosed amount for affiliate DeFranco, which operates channels including The Vloggity and SourceFed and produces shows such as The Philip DeFranco Show (pictured), which […]

FremantleMedia launching ‘first-of-its-kind’ kids app in the US

FremantleMedia is launching a first-of-its-kind iPad app in the US for the Wizards vs Aliens series that it distributes. FremantleMedia’s Kids & Family Entertainment unit is launching the app with tech firm Magic Ruby. The second screen iPad app will sync with the show unlocking additional content. There will also be interactive polls, quizzes and […]

Echo Bridge hires for digital drive

LA-based distributor Echo Bridge Entertainment has hired an experienced digital exec to lead its new media and digital efforts in Latin America and further afield. Camilo Bernal becomes the firm’s first VP, new media, US Hispanic and international, where he will be responsible for all new media business development, strategy and management of Echo Bridge […]

A+E slams US broadcasters at Upfront

A+E Networks execs have told advertisers that choosing to spend their dollars on US broadcast networks is tantamount to paying a programming “failure tax”. A+E has had an extremely successful year with the success with scripted series The Bible and Hatfields & McCoys on History and unscripted hit Duck Dynasty on A&E – the latter […]

Military Channel to reveal hidden CIA history

Discovery Communications’ US cable channel Military Channel has ordered a 10-part series that will delve into pivotal moments in American secret service history. CIA Declassified “takes viewers behind-the-scenes of America’s most top-secret, covert operations of national security- from assassinations to the overthrowing of dangerous regimes,” according to Discovery. Among the 10 hour-long episodes, the series […]

News brief: Russell T. Davies’ Wizards Vs. Aliens finds US home

US children’s channel The Hub has acquired Russell T. Davies’ live-action series Wizards Vs. Aliens. The Discovery Communications and toyco Hasbro joint venture network will launch the show, which comes from Davies and his writing partner Phil Ford, with a two-part episode on Saturday, June 1. The show follows a 16 year-old boy wizard and […]

Discovery’s Tom Keaveny gets global role, Caleb Weinstein exiting

Discovery Communications’ Asian boss Tom Keaveny is relocating to London to become president of international affiliate sales at the channel operator. Although not a direct replacement, the newly created role will cover some of the responsibilities currently held by Caleb Weinstein, who TBI understands is leaving the company. As senior VP and general manager for […]

The new super groups: Red Arrow Entertainment

In the second part of our two-part report on emerging international production groups, TBI talks to the executives behind Red Arrow Entertainment, the ProSiebenSat.1-owned group that comprises leading production companies across Europe and the US. Red Arrow was launched in 2010 and has gone on to build a network of production companies across Europe and […]

Discovery 2013 Upfront report

Discovery unveiled a new scripted show and a raft of reality and doc series at its annual Upfront in New York, which was attended by Oprah Winfrey, William Hurt, Tyler Perry and reality child star Honey Boo Boo among others. Discovery boss David Zaslav told the assembled ad buyers that across all of its networks […]

Discovery launching Oprah block on TLC

A block of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network programming will be carried on soon-to-launch UK cablenet TLC. OWM management has told TBI they plan similar block launches in other international markets. OWN co-presidents Erik Logan and Sherri Salata said that they would ultimately like to see full OWN linear channels in international markets. The network, a joint […]