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Tag: Arthur Bastings

  • To be launched later this year, Discovery Jeet will air larger than life inspirational stories including a 65-ep biopic series on Baba Ramdev

    Now Discovery to launch a Hindi GEC

    By A Correspondent

     

     

    Discovery Communications has announced its plan to roll out Discovery Jeet, a new entertainment channel across India, starting in late 2017. The new channel will be the flagship for the network’s ambitious investment into original local productions in India around a range of programme genres including “true crime investigations, small-town heroes and gritty survival”.

     

    Discovery is scaling up investment in over 200 hours of local content originals which will premiere on this new channel. Said Karan Bajaj, SVP and General Manager, South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific:

     

    “We are excited to launch Discovery Jeet, which will bring a new style of entertainment, in a truly local, bespoke, ground-up offering. It borrows the best of Discovery’s ethos, seeded in fact and purpose-driven content, and leveraging global resources to mount it at a scale that delivers larger-than-life stories.”

     

    Arthur Bastings, President & MD, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, further elaborated on the importance of this evolutionary step, leveraging new ways to extend the reach and relevance of Discovery across the subcontinent. “The expansion into general entertainment with JEET redefines how Discovery will connect and interact with new young audiences across the heartlands of India. JEET is fun, relatable, and exciting and brings to life the captivating, real stories of India’s own in a manner never seen before!”

     

    The line-up of shows planned included Swami Baba Ramdev: The Untold Story, a scripted biopic series tracing Baba Ramdev’s journey from a life of anonymity to what it is today. There is also Gangs of Mumbai,  a series on the colourful, larger-than-life characters from the Mumbai underworld.

     

  • First of its kind board comprises eminent leaders from corporate, digital media and public policy

    Discovery Networks appoints India Advisory Board

    By A Correspondent

     

    Now this is a first in a business which is driven essentially by ratings and revenues than just strategy. Or perhaps all the strategy is about chasing better ratings and revenues. Discovery Networks Asia Pacific has appointed a special India Advisory Board comprising pioneers and experts from corporate, digital media and public policy. The Board will provide counsel and insight to the India leadership team on strategic matters pertaining to business innovation and help Discovery navigate and tap into new growth opportunities in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

     

    Members of the India Advisory Board include Dr S Narayan (chairman) – Former Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister and former Secretary to Government of India, Naina Lal Kidwai, celebrated banker and industry leader and Ali Hussein, digital media evangelist and former Head of Entertainment Partnerships, South Asia at Google/YouTube.

     

    Said Arthur Bastings, President and Managing Director, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific said: “Discovery is thrilled to have such respected industry leaders advising our India leadership team and myself on matters crucial to the design and execution of our ambitious India strategy. The insights from this eminent group will be invaluable as we look to accelerate the transformation of our business and leverage new growth opportunities across South Asia.”

     

    Interesting, especially since former partner Sony has jved with the Beeb on BBC Earth.

  • Discovery Veteran Previously Led European Business and Has Extensive Experience in Asia

    Discovery moves Arthur Bastings to Prez & MD, APAC

    By A Correspondent

     

    Arthur Bastings Discovery Networks International (DNI) has named Arthur Bastings as the new head of the Asia-Pacific region, effective 1 September. The announcement was made by Jean-BriacPerrette, President of DNI, to whom Bastings will report.

     

    As President and Managing Director of Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP), Bastings is responsible for setting the regional strategy and maximising the potential of DNAP’s business and workforce to accelerate the company’s expansion. He will be based out of the Singapore office.

     

    Bastings joins DNAP from Millicom, an international telecommunications and media company, where he was a member of the Executive Committee responsible for Africa and Financial Services, focusing on mobile and information and communications technology convergence. He brings over 20 years’ experience working in the TV and media business, including several years leading strategy and business development for Viacom across Asia. Bastings also previously spent six years as Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for Discovery. Under his leadership, Discovery’s EMEA business transformed by doubling audiences and generating exceptional organic growth that resulted in one of the fastest growing and largest pay TV businesses in the region.

     

    “The Asia Pacific region encompasses two thirds of the world’s population and thus represents one of the biggest growth opportunities for our company.  Arthur has a remarkable combination of experience in Asia, strong strategic thinking, and a proven track record of growth and building strong teams. His deep knowledge of Discovery and familiarity with the Asia market will give him a great head start in accelerating DNAP’s expansion,” said Perrette.

     

    Since launching Discovery Channel in the region over 20 years ago, DNAP is now 15 channels strong. DNAP is committed to continue investing and building its scale and market share in Asia Pacific, a key region for Discovery’s international business. Backing its localisation strategy to deepen its connection and relevancy with audiences, DNAP opened new local offices this year in Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur and Manila, and continued the momentum with the appointment of a new country head in Korea.