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Tag: Racing Extinction

  • Discovery Communications inks long-term distribution deal with Lionsgate

    Discovery Communications inks long-term distribution deal with Lionsgate

    MUMBAI: Discovery Communications and Lionsgate have entered an exclusive long-term agreement wherein the latter will distribute programming from Discovery’s network portfolio across packaged media platforms in the United States.

     

    The agreement encompasses DVD and Blu-ray distribution of Discovery’s portfolio of series and specials spanning its network brands, including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and Investigation Discovery.

     

    The first release under the agreement will be the 23 February, 2016 Blu-ray and DVD release of Racing Extinction, the landmark documentary, which had its worldwide premiere yesterday on Discovery Channel in more than 220 markets. The film, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Louie Psihoyos, tells the story of a team of artists and activists on an undercover operation to expose the hidden world of endangered species and the race to protect them against mass extinction. Spanning the globe to infiltrate the world’s most dangerous black markets and using high tech tactics to document the link between carbon emissions and species extinction, Racing Extinction reveals stunning, never-before seen images that truly change the way we see the world.

     

    “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Discovery, home of some of the most exciting brands on television, and delighted to bring their diverse and growing portfolio of programming to our home entertainment consumers. Racing Extinction is a powerful and topical documentary by an acclaimed filmmaker that has taken television audiences by storm, and it reflects the world-class quality of Discovery’s great pipeline of content,” said Lionsgate home entertainment president Ron Schwartz.

     

    “We’re delighted to partner with Lionsgate, which operates one of the industry’s leading home entertainment businesses, and eager to leverage their marketing prowess and distribution expertise for titles across our portfolio. Lionsgate is a strong partner and Racing Extinction is an ideal title to launch our partnership and create new opportunities for both our companies,” added Discovery Communications SVP digital distribution and partnerships Rebecca Glashow.

     

    In addition to Lionsgate’s own film and television pipelines and the Discovery Communications content announced today, the company’s home entertainment business distributes content from other leading third-party suppliers including STUDIOCANAL, Miramax, A24 and Roadside Attractions.

     

    The agreement extends the strategic relationship between the two companies announced last month, under which Discovery Communications agreed to purchase five million common shares of Lionsgate. Liberty Global also purchased five million common shares, resulting in each company having an approximately 3.4 per cent shareholding of Lionsgate’s current outstanding shares. Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav and Liberty Global president and CEO Mike Fries also were named to the Lionsgate board of directors.

  • Discovery rolls out global initiative & campaign on species conservation

    Discovery rolls out global initiative & campaign on species conservation

    MUMBAI: Discovery is embarking on its newest global social activation effort – a comprehensive worldwide initiative and campaign focused on species conservation tied to Discovery Channel’s 2 December global television premiere of Racing Extinction, a film by Academy Award-winning director Louis Psihoyos.

     

    Discovery continues its legacy of exploring and celebrating the wonders of our planet with the groundbreaking film, and extends past it with this global campaign that empowers viewers to make a positive impact on the world.

     

    The Racing Extinction campaign will launch with new content, a dedicated digital platform, an education curriculum and calls to action that encourage consumers to pledge their commitment to do “1Thing” to save the planet and its creatures. The mission of the campaign is long-term reduction of both carbon emissions and consumer demand for endangered species.

     

    In India, a nationwide outreach to press, social media, and schools, and a mobile marketing campaign is in the works.

     

    In Singapore, a screening was held last week at the Capitol Theatre, with a talk by tropical rainforest ecologist and Nature Society Singapore (NSS) president Dr Shawn Lum. Discovery is also partnering with the NSS to organise various activities for the public, such as the Horseshoe Crab rescue and research programme, a coastal clean-up at Mandai mudflats, and a forest clean-up at Pulau Ubin.

     

    In Malaysia, Discovery has partnered with the Malaysia Nature Society to host screenings for students of Universiti Putra Malaysia in Selangor and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Johor. A screening was also held in Jakarta.

     

    Discovery’s hosts Buddy Valastro, Jock Zonfrillo, Janet Hsieh, Erwan Heussaff, Nadya Hutagalung and Henry Golding are joining the call to action. Actress, host and radio DJ Melody Chen; actor and host Randall Tan; actor, host and FLY Entertainment Artiste Suhaimi Yusof; and actress and FLY Entertainment Artiste Tan Kheng Hua; together with many local personalities and influencers from across the region are also lending their support and pledging their “1Thing”. The personalities are featured in a series of spots, which are airing on Discovery Channel and TLC, and on Discovery Channel’s online platforms.

     

    Other personalities from Southeast Asia who are participating in the campaign:

    Aishah Sinclair – Radio Announcer and Television Personality (Malaysia)

    Ean Nasrun – Radio Announcer and Television Personality (Malaysia)

    Elvira Arul – Vocalist and Performer (Malaysia)

    Harith Iskander – Stand-up Comedian, Actor and Director (Malaysia)

    Marina Mahathir – Writer and Social Activist (Malaysia)

    Natalie Kniese – Radio Announcer, Emcee and Host (Malaysia)

    Russell Curtis – Recording Artiste (Malaysia)

    Anna Cabrera – Executive Director of PAWS Animal Welfare Society (Philippines)

    Brian McLelland – Founder of Bambika (Philippines)

    Marc Nelson – WWF Ambassador (Philippines)

    Pia Cayetano – Senator (Philippines)

    Daniel Mananta – Television Personality, Host (Indonesia)

    JFlow – Musician (Indonesia)

    Mike Lewis – Actor, Model, Television Host (Indonesia)

    Riyanni Djangkaru – Marine Environmentalist (Indonesia)

     

    Discovery is supporting the theatrical screening of Racing Extinction at the Clockenflap Music & Arts Festival in Hong Kong through its social media platforms and press engagement, and in Taiwan the campaign is fronted by singer-songwriter Cheer Chen. 

     

    In addition, combining the immersive power of virtual reality with Discovery’s 30-year history of engaging and exceptional content, Discovery VR – the company’s virtual reality product – will debut six original experiences focused on some of the world’s most majestic animals in VR comprising species of endangered or vulnerable elephants, rhinos, lions, whale sharks, manta rays, and giraffes. This virtual reality content will be showcased at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris from 30 November to 11 December, 2015. The new endangered species experiences are available for iOS and Android, as well as at DiscoveryVR.com. Additional VR content from Discovery can be enjoyed on network YouTube channels and on Facebook.

     

    Racing Extinction will be the catalyst for a larger, ongoing campaign utilizing the hashtag #StartWith1Thing to serve as Discovery’s call to action to create a global movement behind the television event. #StartWith1Thing seeks to unite the world by pledging simple lifestyle changes that can add up to big benefits for endangered species, the environment and humanity itself. Discovery will leverage its global premiere and additional platforms, including custom branded content, digital, social media and virtual reality, along with its partners to ignite curiosity and global actions people can take in four areas: fighting wildlife trafficking, reducing carbon emissions through use of green energy/transport, supporting green causes, and eating less meat.

     

    The campaign will aggregate individual actions to demonstrate the impact that occurs when people unite as a global community. Consumers are encouraged to find inspiration for their “1Thing” by visiting the “#StartWith1Thing” section on www.racingextinction.com. Consumers can choose a variety of things to do daily, weekly and monthly, and track progress along with the world via social media.

     

    The Racing Extinction campaign is in partnership with Vulcan Productions and the Oceanic Preservation Society.

  • Discovery channel to air ‘Racing Extinction’ globally; to aid the channel’s campaign

    Discovery channel to air ‘Racing Extinction’ globally; to aid the channel’s campaign

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel will broadcast director Louie Psihoyos’ film Racing Extinction in India on 2 December at 9 pm. The channel will premiere the movie in 220 international markets across the world within a span of 24 hours.

     

    Racing Extinction is an ambitious mission to clearly and artfully put into focus the human impact on the planet, while inspiring humanity to embrace the solutions that will ensure a thriving, biodiverse world for future generations.

     

    The film will also serve as a catalyst for the ongoing campaign utilising the hash tag #StartWith1Thing to serve as Discovery’s call to action to create a global movement behind the television event. In partnership with Discovery and the Ocean Preservation Society (OPS), the co-executive producer of the film Paul G. Allen and his Vulcan Productions have launched an action campaign around Racing Extinction to empower audiences to join the fight to save these animals while there is still time. 

       

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific EVP & GM – South Asia Rahul Johri said, “Discovery Channel presents path-breaking and immersive programmes that serve a purpose beyond entertainment.  Racing Extinction is a gripping film that vividly demonstrates the serious threats our beautiful planet faces today. We believe that the film will invoke passion amongst Indian viewers and will inspire everyone to preserve it for a better tomorrow.”

     

    The director Louie Psihoyos added, “With the help of Discovery I believe we can create a tipping point to create the change we need to preserve a planet that can sustain life for all species.” He further adds, “There has never been a more important time in the world than to be alive now — the decisions we make in the next few years will impact the Earth and animal species for millions of years.”

     

    In the ground breaking film the director and his group assembles a team of artists and activists on a new undercover operation to expose the world of endangered species trafficking and the race to prevent mass extinction. The 90-minute film reveals few never-before seen images that will change the onlookers’ perception of the world.