ITV

Tag: TLC

  • Discovery revenues cross $3 billion

    Discovery revenues cross $3 billion

    MUMBAI: Global media firm Discovery has announced its results for the fourth quarter and year ended 31 December 2006.

    Its revenue increased 16 per cent for the quarter to $899 million and 13 per cent for the year to $3.01 billion. DCI’s operating cash flow increased five per cent for the quarter to $194 million and 5% for the year to $722 million. Total revenue increased due to increases in distribution revenue of 16 per cent for the quarter and 20 per cent for the year and increases in ad revenue of 14 per cent for the quarter and five per cent for the year.

    In the US revenue increased 16 per cent for the quarter to $516 million and 10 per cent for the year to $1.93 billion. Operating cash flow increased 22 per cent for the quarter to $181 million and 13% for the year to $727 million. The increases in revenue were due to growth in distribution and advertising revenue across the portfolio.

    Distribution revenue increased 13 per cent for the
    quarter and 18 per cent for the year due to an 11 per cent increase in paying subscription units during the year and contractual rate increases. DCI experienced ratings increases during the year at three of its largest networks, the Discovery Channel, TLC and the Travel Channel. Net ad revenue increased 14 per cent for the quarter and two per cent for the year primarily due to higher ad sell-out rates and higher audience delivery on certain channels.

    Operating expenses increased by 13 per cent for the quarter and nine per cent for the year due to an increase in programming expense. Programming expense increased due to the company’s continued investment across all U.S. networks in original productions and series and specials.

    Its revenue from abroad increased by 17 per cent for the quarter to $256 million and 19 per cent for the year to $879 million. Operating cash flow decreased 29 per cent for the quarter to $24 million and increased eight per cent for the year to $116 million. The increase in revenue was due to growth in both distribution and ad revenue.

    Net distribution revenue increased 22 per cent for the quarter and 23 per cent for the year due to a 13 per cent increase in paying subscription units combined with contractual rate increases in certain markets. Growth in paying subscription units was primarily due to growth in Europe and Latin America. Net advertising revenue increased 13% for the quarter and 14 per cent for the year primarily due to higher viewership in Europe and Latin America combined with an increased subscriber base in most markets worldwide.

    Operating expenses increased 26 per cent for the quarter and 21 per cent for the year due to increased programming costs. Programming costs increased due to the launch of several networks along with a new free-to-air channel in Germany branded as DMAX. SG&A expenses increased due
    to infrastructure expansions in Europe and Asia and an increase in marketing expense resulting from marketing campaigns in Europe and Asia for the launch of new channels.

    Revenue in the commerce, education and other divisions increased by 15 per cent for the quarter and nine per cent for the year. The quarter over quarter increase was due to a 29 per cent, or $3 million, increase in education revenue combined with a 13 per cent, or $14 million, increase in commerce revenue.

    Last year David Zaslav took over as Discovery’s president and CEO. Discovery recently announced a series of structural and personnel changes in order to grow further. A number of positions were eliminated like the post of Discovery US president.

    As part of Discovery’s effort to build a lean and aggressive organisation, network general managers will have full authority and accountability to grow their brands. Discovery will be organized into five network brand groups reporting to the CEO: Discovery Channel, TLC, Discovery Travel Media, Animal Planet/Discovery Kids Media and Discovery Health Media Enterprises.
    The leaders of the network brand groups will assume additional authority over key business functions including production, marketing, new media, communications and research and will have dedicated brand support from ad sales and business development.

  • Concrete Pictures helps brand Discovery Mobile

    Concrete Pictures helps brand Discovery Mobile

    MUMBAI: Recognising and responding to the needs of an evolving media landscape, Concrete Pictures has extended the efforts of its team to include mobile phone platforms.

    The creative agency has announced the completion of a branding and graphics package for the recently launched Discovery Mobile, a 24-hour mobile programming network featuring original content from across Discovery’sfamily of networks including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel and Discovery Health Channel.

    T“Tackling the design challenges of mobile phones, Concrete delivered a graphics package that is visually engaging, representative of the Discovery brand and well-suited for the small screen,” said Douglas Craig, vice president, new media, Discovery Communications.

    Spearheading the Discovery project for Concrete Pictures was Paul Westergard, Creative Director. His creative crew designed a graphics package based entirely on organic boxes, which open, close and shift around the screen to reveal new information. The compact nature of mobile phone screens demanded that the graphics be over-sized with a dark background, so Concrete’s team incorporated this into the logo animations and menu bumpers created for the project.

    Concrete Pictures’ senior VP, creative services Andy Hann says, “We have enjoyed a long and rewarding working relationship with Discovery Communications. This latest project added a new dimension to the whole picture, and we look forward to continuing to expand this area of our business with Discovery and other partners.”

  • WWE ‘Unforgiven’ on Ten Sports

    MUMBAI:It’s no holds barred action this Sunday 1st October 2006 at 11.00 am with WWE Unforgiven on Ten Sports. The Month long rivalries on wrestling’s record-breaking weekly show Raw reach its climax this Sunday at the WWE-Special Unforgiven. The 3-hour special to be telecast exclusively on Ten Sports at 11.00 am, will see top superstars each battle against their respective nemesis as they look to settle long-standing grudges.

    People’s favourite John Cena will be looking to wrestle the World Championship away from The Edge in what is bound to be a pulsating match up.

     

    Cena will be competing in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match for the first time and will be a big underdog against Edge who is competing in his home town of Toronto and is a specialist at the TLC match.

     

    Also on the Toronto bill will be Trish Stratus taking on Lita for the Women’s Championship. Stratus, also from Toronto will be looking to end her career on a high note by winning the title for a seventh time and she is sure to have huge support from a partisan crowd.

     

    World Tag Team Champions Spirit Squad will be defending their title against the Highlanders in what is sure to be a brutal contest.

     

    Yet another title will be on the line in the first match of the evening when Johnny Nitro puts his crown on the line against Jeff Hardy.

     

    With Kane taking on Umaga, Randy Orton facing Carlito and D Generation going head to head with the McMahon’s and Big Show, Unforgiven is sure to be an explosive event.

    ABOUT TEN SPORTS: Only launched in April 2002, Taj TV’s Ten Sports is watched by more viewers than any other sports channel in the sub-continent and is available in more than 50 million cable/ satellite households worldwide. Ten Sports is the world’s biggest producers of cricket. The Channel broadcasts cricket from Sharjah, the West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Morocco throughout the Indian sub-continent and Asia, as well as in Europe and the Middle East. Other cricket properties broadcast by Ten Sports in certain territories include internationals from India, the World Cup 2003 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2004.

  • Discovery US launches a consumer mobile site

    Discovery US launches a consumer mobile site

    MUMBAI: US media firm Discovery Communications has launched its US direct-to-consumer mobile website.

    This allows consumers to download wallpapers, ring tones, podcasts and other special features directly to their cell phones through the mobile URL at www.discoverymobile.com.

    Discovery’s fans can now personalise their cell phones with a wide assortment of ring tones including nearly 30 different animal sounds and Animal Planet’s Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin saying “G’Day Mate.” Additionally, consumers can choose from wallpapers ranging from over a dozen kinds of sharks to tattoos from TLC’s hit series Miami Ink.

    Highlighting both current hit shows as well as programming genres that viewers have come to know and love from Discovery such as nature, science, exploration and animals, the mobile website also offers previews, scheduling information and short-form video clips.

    Discovery executive VP strategy and development Don Baer says, “Our new mobile portal is the latest example of our strategy to expand the Discovery universe and provide consumers with informative and entertaining content and useful features when and where it fits their lifestyles”.

    Designed to complement its television networks by strengthening viewers’ loyalty as well as attracting new audiences to Discovery’s brands, the mobile portal offers programming extensions that consumers can use while on-the-go. The features range from recipes and corresponding grocery lists from TLC’s new series Take Home Chef to fashion tips from the hosts of What Not To Wear. Pregnancy calendars, health tips and smoking cessation guides related to Discovery Health will also be added in the near future.

    Discovery senior VP, new media Clint Stinchcomb, says, “Whether it’s a busy parent trying to feed the kids or a teenager looking to put a personal touch on their cell phone, our mobile portal is a way for consumers to simplify, enhance and enjoy their lives with Discovery features at their fingertips.”

    Features on Discovery’s new mobile portal also include:

    • Downloadable ring tones, wallpaper and podcasts from Discovery favorites such as Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, TLC’s Miami Ink and Animal Planet’s The Crocodile Hunter, as well as over two dozen animal sounds and a variety of breathtaking nature scenes from around the globe, among others. The cost per download is $1.99.

    • Discovery News text reports offering information in the areas of science, nature, health, travel, all things about planet earth and current affairs. Updated daily, Discovery News offers perspective and commentary from multiple sources including the company’s in-house development and editorial team and Associated Press Television News.

    • Fan sites where consumers can view exclusive video clips, learn more about on-air personalities and access program schedules.

    • Short-form spotlights of shows from Discovery’s entire family of U.S. networks offering program descriptions and scheduling information.

    Discovery’s mobile portal can be accessed from any US network through the mobile URL at discoverymobile.com. The company will also introduce Discovery Mobile, a dedicated, 24-hour mobile programming network designed specifically for portable platforms available through mobile carriers this quarter. Updated weekly, Discovery Mobile will push content to consumers such as original made-for-mobile series, abbreviated versions of Discovery’s most popular programs, never before seen footage, one-of-a-kind extras and user-generated content.

    The launch of the US mobile portal builds on Discovery’s strong foundation of success in the international mobile marketplace where it has already launched a direct-to-consumer mobile portal in the UK. Discovery Mobile is available in nine countries. The company also has a global partnership with Nokia, which carries customized Discovery content on its newest and most sophisticated devices.

    This announcement follows a series of new media initiatives Discovery has recently unveiled. Discovery has been launching new services and working with strategic partners to bring its high-quality, informative and entertaining content to consumers wherever they are and whenever they want it.

    Discovery says that it is the first media company to provide its world-class video content on Google Earth, the revolutionary satellite imagery-based mapping product, and the first nonfiction programmer to offer video content through the iTunes music store. Discovery also launched the first of its U.S. broadband channels: Discovery Channel Beyond, TLC Beyond, Travel Channel Beyond and Animal Planet Beyond, as well as the new TURBO broadband channel.

  • FremantleMedia goes global with Jamie Oliver

    FremantleMedia goes global with Jamie Oliver

    CANNES: The distribution arm of global production company FremantleMedia, Fremantle International Distribution (FID), announced at MipTV a raft of international sales for a number of series starring celebrity British chef Jamie Oliver, including Jamie’s School Dinners, Jamie’s Great Italian Escape and Jamie’s Kitchen.

    Jamie’s School Dinners is currently planned to premiere in the US on TLC while Jamie’s Great Italian Escape will make its American debut on theTravel Channel.The launch of Jamie’s Kitchen, also on TLC, will mark the first time the show will air on one of the Discovery Communication Inc.’s cable networks.

    Both Jamie’s Kitchen and Jamie’s School Dinners have received tremendous praise from viewers and critics alike. Jamie’s Kitchen has recieved many awards like Indie Award, C4 Documentary Award (UK), Grierson, Most Entertaining Documentary(UK); Jamie’s School Dinners has won the National Television Award, Most Popular Factual Programme (UK).
    Fremantle International Distribution managing director David Ellender commenting on the raft of international sales said, “Jamie Oliver’s accessibility and culinary creativity have allowed him to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers to create a great demand for his programming around the world. As we introduce Jamie to a wider audience in the United States, Discovery Communications Inc.’s unique array of networks provide the perfect venue for these premieres and make them the ideal partner.”

    Jamie’s Great Italian Escape follows Jamie’s impulsive trip to Italy where he searches for new sources of inspiration in order to reignite his passion for cooking. Driving from town to town in his trusty camper, Jamie’s adventures take him across the country as he learns about street food in Palermo, dines with monks in Farfa and hunts wild boar in the mountains of Le Marche.

    25 territories have to date snapped up Jamie’s latest series, Jamie’sGreat Italian Escape including RaiSat, Italy; TV Norge, Norway; TV Danmark, Denmark; SABC, South Africa; Kanal 5 Sweden; Discovery Asia; Network Ten, Australia; TVB, Hong Kong; TVNZ, New Zealand; RTL2, Germany; Food Network; Canada, WOWOW, Japan; GloboSat, Brazil; VMMA, Belgium; Ren-TV, Russia and CP 2000 and Ceska, Czech Republic.

    In Jamie’s School Dinners, Jamie embarks on a monumental undertaking: take charge of 20,000 school dinners a day in one of London’s most demanding areas. If he succeeds in transforming the way kids eat, Jamie will try to create a blueprint for school meals across the United Kingdom. But will Jamie’s efforts put him at the top of the class or will his quest to create a healthy eating curriculum prove too daunting a task?

    An impressive 33 territories have ordered Jamie’s School Dinners including ORF, Austria; OK-Nova TV, Croatia; Cuisine TV, France; RaiSat, Italy; SIC, Portugal and Kanal 5, Sweden, among others.

    Jamie’s Kitchen chronicles Jamie’s effort to open a brand new restaurant in London’s East End. Not only is this his first restaurant, but Jamie gives himself an additional challenge by selecting 15 unemployed and inexperienced Londoners to train as his chefs. A busy schedule, delays in construction, increasingly troublesome trainees and the birth of his child gradually make the process more difficult for Jamie as he seeks to prove that it’s a passion for food, not academic qualifications, that make a great chef.

    Jamie’s Kitchen has also proved to be a phenomenal globe-trotting series for FID, which has secured sales in over 40 territories, including RTL2 Germany; SBS, Denmark; TV Norge, Norway; Mico, Japan and TVB, Hong Kong.

    Also, FID has also sold Oliver’s Twist to TV Azteca,(Channel 7), in Mexico, which is the 50th market to have bought the series. Fronted by Oliver, Oliver’s Twist blends the culture and style of London street life with interesting people and delectable food. From the markets, to house parties and of course to Jamie’s new kitchen, Jamie cooks up fresh, simple food for good times with family and friends.