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Tag: discovery channel

  • To feature Hollywood blockbusters from the Warner Bros. catalog

    Warner Bros. Discovery revamps DTamil Channel

    Warner Bros. Discovery has announced a revamp of its DTamil Channel.

    In its new avatar, DTamil will feature Hollywood blockbusters from the Warner Bros. catalogue, top global superhero shows, classics, and its signature non-fiction programming. The channel will also feature local original productions from Discovery+ and Discovery Channel.

    Said Sai Abishek, Head of Factual & Lifestyle Cluster at Warner Bros. Discovery, South Asia: “By bringing captivating Hollywood stories and offering hit global movies and TV shows to the Tamil cinema-loving audience, we are proud to deliver a robust blockbuster slate with Warner Bros.  catalogue gems, now with a brand-new flavor in language of their choice. By presenting engaging content tailored to diverse audience preferences, the revamped DTamil channel is poised to deliver premier global entertainment. We are committed to enhancing the daily viewing experience for our Tamil- audience, offering a rich mix of cinema and valuable viewing options.”

  • It will be hosted by actor Jim Sarbh

    Discovery’s Planet Healers to feature India’s promising start-ups

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Channel has premiered a four-part original docu-series ‘Planet Healers’ featuring eight of India’s promising environment friendly startups, who are innovating ways to pave a path to a sustainable tomorrow. Hosted by actor Jim Sarbh, the series will deep dive into the journey of how these start-ups are working out innovative technology led solutions to environmental hazards faced by our country.

     

    “Planet Healers is not just a TV show; it is an attempt by Discovery to create mass awareness about environmental hazards faced by our country which will have significant long-term impact,” said Zulfia Waris, Vice President, Premium & Digital networks, Discovery Communications India. “We have focused this series on individuals who have dedicated themselves to create innovative technology led solutions for the conservation and preservation of our planet. They are common people with uncommon ambitions and incredible self-belief who are making a difference.”

     

  • The company has now announced her elevation as EVP – Focus, to head revenue

    Smriti Mehra is now EVP, Focus at Network18

    By A Correspondent

     

    After stints with Discovery Channel, Arré and Turner Broadcasting, Smriti Mehra returned home to Network18 Group last year. The company has now announced her elevation as EVP – Focus, to head revenue. She will report to Priyanka Kaul – President, Marketing and Special Projects, Network18.

     

    In her first stint with Network18, Mehra was National Head for CNBC-TV18 Focus.

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Smriti said, “I’m so very excited to be taking on this role as I think Network18 Focus has pioneered the concept of partnering with clients to create platforms of engagement for brands and businesses. And I look forward to working with the fabulous team at Network18 and create more firsts and bigger properties.”

     

     

  • To showcase eight India centric shows over the next four months

    Discovery intensifies focus on India-centric shows for festive season

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Communications India has intensified focus on India-centric programming in the lead-up to the festive season. The network will showcase eight India-centric shows over the next four months on Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and TLC. The India specials will be in addition to the premiere of 20-plus global IPs on the three network channels.

     

    Said Karan Bajaj, General Manager, Discovery Communications India: “We are excited with the growth that we have been able to garner this year. All our core channels – Discovery, Animal Planet and TLC – are now undisputed leaders in their respective genres while Discovery Kids has emerged as the fastest growing channel in the kids genre. Our aim is to further build on it and accelerate the growth over the next four months. It is a conscious strategy to increase India centric pipeline with original production or programming acquisitions.  With the unmatched line-up of Indian and Global IPs till the end of the year, we are confident to deepen our local connection while further extending the lead over competition for all of our network channels.”

     

    Over the next three months, Discovery channel will showcase five new India-centric shows including Women Fighter Pilots (Premiers August 24),  a new Military tentpole High Altitude Warfare School (October), India’s Citizen Squad (November) and Moon Bound (November) – a special about Team Indus’s attempt as a part of Google Lunar XPrize and a special documentary on Sunny Leone’s life Mostly Sunny (December). TLC will showcase an Indian original production which has shaken the digital space with its promise of a TLC travel scholarship – The Calling (October). Animal Planet will showcase Mission Big Cat – an anthology focused on Big Cats including Lions, Leopards and Tigers in the month of October celebrating World Animal Day.

     

     

  • With availability on Dish TV, the channel expands its penetration inIndia, targeting Tamil speaking viewers around the country

    Discovery Tamil now on Dish TV

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Channel Tamil has announced that it will now also be available on Dish TV. Already available across all analogue homes, Discovery Channel Tamil is one of the most widely distributed channels in Tamil Nadu reaching over 10 million subscribers.  With availability on Dish TV, the channel expands its penetration in India, targeting Tamil speaking viewers around the country.

     

    Dish TV, being one of the major DTH platforms will drive Discovery Channel Tamil’s to reach viewers throughoutIndia, especially catering to Tamil population inNorthern India.

     

    Announcing the affiliation with Dish TV, Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager – South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said: “Discovery Channel Tamil has received tremendous response from the Tamil speaking viewers for its attractive look, engaging and unmatched content. The availability of the channel now on Dish TV demonstrates our commitment to reach viewers around the country and offer them enhanced viewing experience.”

     

    Nearly one year of its launch, Discovery Channel Tamil, the standalone channel for Tamil Nadu market continues to grow ratings month-on-month. Discovery Channel Tamil is a customized product offering for Tamil viewers. The 24-hour factual entertainment channel has programmes scheduled as per Tamil audience tastes and preferences.

     

    Salil Kapoor, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dish TV, said: “Dish TV is proud to provide content in regional language. The latest is the addition of Discovery Channel Tamil on Dish TV platform to our subscribers. The launch of Discovery Channel Tamil will provide us with a perfect offering which will help us serve our Tamil customers in a better way. Dish TV has been a trendsetter in offering its viewers the best content, service and quality.”

     

  • Was awarded Best US Company inIndiaunder the Media & Entertainment category

    Discovery APAC wins Indo-Am Corp Excellence award

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (South Asia) has been awarded as the best US company operating inIndiaunder the Media & Entertainment category at the 8th Indo-American Corporate Excellence Award 2012 held in Mumbai on July 4.

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (South Asia) was selected on the basis of its overall contribution to the Indo-US business and other parameters like human capital management and corporate social responsibility were also considered. The award commended Discovery’s programming and production excellence and its stellar performance in the country.

     

    The company broadcasts eight unique content channels inIndia– Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Turbo, Discovery Science, Discovery HD World, Discovery Channel Tamil and Discovery Kids.

     

    Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager –South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said: “This award is recognition of Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific’s commitment to engage and entertain Indian viewers with unique and credible programming. It exemplifies and values the positive contribution that the network brings inIndiathrough its innovative content.”

     

    Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) is the only bi-lateral Chamber of Commerce committed to promotion of Indo-US Trade & Economic Relations by facilitating joint venture, strategic alliances, trade, technology transfer and investments. IACC has over 2,600 members who together represent a wide spectrum of business and economic segments: manufacturing, exports, services et al.

  • A new season of Discovery Channel's survival series I Shouldn't Be Alive brings incredible stories of ordinary people who were unwittingly thrown into dire situations

    Discovery launches new season of extreme survival series

    By A Correspondent

     

    What would you do if you were suddenly faced with the possibility that you might die? A new season of Discovery Channel’s survival series I Shouldn’t Be Alive brings incredible stories of ordinary people who were unwittingly thrown into dire situations but beat unimaginable odds to survive. I Shouldn’t Be Alive will air every night at 9pm on Discovery Channel.

     

    Each one-hour episode presents a true-life story of endurance, using accurate reconstructions and the first-hand testimony of those who managed to overcome extraordinary danger. From battling a raging blizzard in the snowy wilderness of Kyrgyzstan and drifting in shark-infested waters in Costa Rica to surviving a savage grizzly attack in the mountains of Montana and facing wild animals in Africa, I Shouldn’t Be Alive reveals the most basic instincts as people react to these extreme situations.

     

    Commenting on the programme, Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager – South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said: “Discovery Channel viewers have been drawn towards its extraordinary survival series like Man Vs. Wild, Man Woman Wild and Dual Survival. Continuing its promise to inspire and entertain the viewers, the new series celebrates the deep human drive to survive in death-defying situations.”

     

    Each episode inspires the audience as it details a unique incident and the ultimate fight for life. Striking visuals and the latest computer generated image technology will enhance these stories of human perseverance and survival under astonishing circumstances.

     

  • Discovery channel has been ranked third, ahead of all the Hindi general entertainment and sports channels. TLC has been ranked fifth, ahead of all lifestyle, English entertainment, English news and English movie channels.

    Discovery Channel and TLC ranked amongst the top 5 most trusted TV brands in India

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Network Asia Pacific’s two flagship channels in India – Discovery Channel and TLC have been ranked amongst the top 5 most trusted television brands in India by The Brand Trust Report 2012.

     

    Discovery channel has been ranked third, ahead of all the Hindi general entertainment and sports channels. TLC has been ranked fifth, ahead of all lifestyle, English entertainment, English news and English movie channels.

     

    Rahul Johri, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, South Asia said: “This recognition by the Brand Trust Report 2012 is a reflection of our strategy to entertain viewers across India with the highest quality and differentiated non-fiction programming like Curiosity, Man Woman Wild and Swamp Brothers. We would like to take this endorsement as a source of encouragement for our future endeavours in creating new genres, trends and programme formats that resonate with the Indian audience.”

     

    Discovery Channel, India’s leading non-fiction channel, entertains viewers in multiple languages with a range of programming across genres including natural history, survival, technology, engineering, wildlife and India. TLC, India’s favourite lifestyle channel, since its launch in 2004 presents refreshing entertainment on travel, food, fashion, luxury, wellness and many other exciting lifestyle trends.

     

    N Chandramouli, CEO, Trust Research Advisory, publishers of The Brand Trust Report, India Study, 2012 said: “It is prestigious that Discovery Channel and TLC have been ranked third and fifth, respectively, among television brands by influencers-consumers in the 15 cities of the study. The study reflects how deeply Discovery Channel and TLC are trusted as measured by a comprehensive Brand Trust study on TRA’s proprietary 61-components.”

     

    The Brand Trust Report (BTR), compiled and released annually is the result of an exhaustive survey undertaken by the Trust Research Advisory (TRA). The methodology includes BTR questionnaire which is designed to illuminate approximately 425 aspects of brand trust, of which 391 were directly brand-related. The study also questioned respondents about two other important brand trust influencers – brand recall and the trust-experience of brands, the latter of which they were requested to furnish reasons for.

     

    The Brand Trust Report, India Study, 2012 research was conducted among 2718 ‘influencer’ respondents across 15 cities. The study was the most intensive undertaken on Brand Trust across the globe, generating nearly 2 million data points and 17,000 brands. Indian Statistical Institute helped create a statistically robust Brand Trust Index which has been used to hierarchically rank India’s brands on the basis of trust.

     

    Discovery Communications is the world’s number 1 non-fiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 210 countries and territories. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 130-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery Science and Discovery HD, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com.

     

    Trust Research Advisory (TRA), a part of the Comniscient Group, is a company dedicated to understanding and simplifying concepts related to Trust. TRA was conceived in 2008 to decipher, analyze and measure Brand Trust, to make it universally understood and easily applied. The organization’s focus areas include Research, Publishing, Trust Training, and Licensing.

     

  • Meet Robbie and Stephen Keszey, brothers who run America’s largest venomous snake farm.

    Brothers are Discovery’s new stars

    By A Correspondent

    Robbie and Stephen Keszey are brothers who run one of the most unique family businesses – working with wild and dangerous animals deep in the swamps of Florida. They run America’s largest venomous snake farm, which is home to hundreds of the meanest gators and crocs one could ever see. Together, they are the stars of Discovery Channel’s new series Swamp Brothers, which is airing every night at 10pm.

     

    Robbie is a veteran of the 1980s metal scene who is passionate about all things scaly, and Stephen is a former New York City bartender, more accustomed to hailing a cab than handling a snake. Robbie and Stephen run Glades Herp Farms, Florida’s largest reptile sanctuary and exotic reptile dealership. Their farm also houses Florida’s International Teaching Zoo, which is full of rare species from around the globe and brings in a constant stream of new and different animals each month. In each episode of the show, the brothers put themselves on the line to protect the most unusual of creatures – from pythons and alligators to wildcats and bears.

     

    As a child, older brother Robbie loved two things: music and wildlife. After high school, he moved to Los Angeles to play bass in a rock band, living a life of excess on the Sunset Strip. Eventually realizing that his true passion was for wildlife and reptiles, Robbie moved to Florida and Glades Herp Farm, bringing with him his rock ‘n’ roll attitude and a penchant for living on the edge. Today, Robbie is a skilled expert in all herpetofauna – especially crocodilians and venomous snakes. His goal is to one day take what he’s learned on the farm and open his very own teaching zoo, where he can continue to teach people to conserve and respect animals.

     

    Robbie’s younger brother Stephen is a pure city boy at heart who headed straight to the Big Apple after graduating from university. During his 14 years in New York City, Stephen held his dream job as a bartender, where drinking, telling jokes and flirting with girls were all in a day’s work. When Robbie asked Stephen to help him expand the business, Stephen initially was not thrilled to leave the big city life, especially to spend all his time around dangerous animals. Overly cautious by nature, Stephen concedes that where reptiles are concerned, he always bows to the expertise of his brother.

     

    From pythons to rogue bobcats, the brothers make it their business to track these beasts down, capture them and return them to a safe environment – without losing life or limb in the process.

     

    ROBBIE KESZEY – The Herp Expert

    Partner at Glades Herp Farm, former bassplayer & rock ‘n’ roll band assistant Robbie Keszey has been interested in reptiles and wildlife since he was a kid. Robbie’s #1 goal is to teach people to respect and conserve animals through captive breeding. He is a professional skilled expert in all herps, especially crocodilians and venomous snakes. But it was Robbie’s other passion – music — that drove him to move to Los Angeles after high school to play bass in a rock band. While in L.A., Robbie served as personal assistant to C.C. Deville, of the glam rock band Poison. After traveling the world, Robbie found his way back to his first real love – wildlife and reptiles. He moved to Florida to work at Glades Herp Farm, bringing with him his rock ‘n’ roll attitude and a penchant for living on the edge. A Florida Gators fan, Robbie lives in Bushnell, Florida with his wife, Michelle and their kids, and they hope to one day own a teaching zoo of their own.

     

    STEPHEN KESZEY – The City Slicker

    Assistant at Glades Herp Farm, former New York City bartender Stephen Keszey is a pure city boy at heart who

     

    prefers the chirping of urban crickets (car alarms) to actual crickets. After graduating from The Ohio State University, Stephen moved to New York City, where he lived for more than 14 years. During his time in the Big Apple, he had a variety of jobs, including a stint working in music publicity — but Stephen’s love was bartending. When their mother became ill, Stephen left New York City for Florida to help out, and found himself also helping his older brother, Robbie, at Glades Herp Farm. Although Stephen is overly cautious and extremely fearful of getting hurt, he has gained some knowledge, and concedes that there is only one aspect in his life where he bows to the expertise of his brother without question, and that is where reptiles are concerned.

  • Discovery Channel to uncover some of life’s biggest questions, Curiosity to air from October 17

    Discovery’s Curiosity answers those awkward questions

    By A Correspondent

    Non-fiction entertainment biggieDiscovery Channel has announced its new landmark series Curiosity, which seeks to uncover the truths behind life’s most challenging questions. These include: What it would be like if you could live forever? What would happen if aliens attacked? Is there a parallel universe?  How will the world end? Why is sex fun?

    The new special series, scheduled to start airing on October 17 every Monday at 8pm, captures the fundamental sense of wonder and present an engaging visualization of our minds’ search for answers.  Curiosity is designed to tackle the fundamental questions and underlying mysteries of our time in fields such as space, biology, geology, medicine, physics, technology, nature, archaeology, history and the human mind.

    Commenting on the series, Mr Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager – Asia-Pacific, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said, “Discovery Channel through its programmes empowers viewers to explore their world.  Embarking on a fascinating voyage of discovery, the channel brings a new landmark series ‘Curiosity’ that goes to extreme lengths to seek surprising answers to underlying mysteries of our lives. From the micro to the macro, ‘Curiosity’ delves into most enduring and insightful subjects.”

    Intel, the sponsor of Curiosity, will use the series as a global marketing platform in more than 40 countries, with key partnership elements. Curiosity will premiere this year on Discovery Channel in the United States and in more than 210 countries and territories around the world including Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.