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Tag: TLC

  • Discovery eyes November launch for TLC channel in Turkey

    Discovery eyes November launch for TLC channel in Turkey

    MUMBAI: Come November and Discovery will be launching its female-skewed TLC channel in Turkey as a free-to-air (FTA) channel following its acquisition of Turkish national FTA entertainment channel CNBC-e from Dogus Media Group.

     

    With this, Discovery will have a total of four channels airing in Turkey namely TLC, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Science.

     

    The new channel will replace CNBC-e and offer a mix of non-scripted and scripted international entertainment and lifestyle programming. The shows that will be aired on the channel include Fear the Walking Dead, Aquarius, Poldark, Oprah Prime and Oprah’s Master Class. Additionally, the shows that were previously on CNBC-e including The Vikings, Hannibal and Mike & Molly will also find a place on the channel.

     

    ”Today marks a new era in our Turkish business, as we close our deal with Dogus Media Group to acquire CNBC-e and announce the launch of TLC – Discovery’s leading lifestyle and entertainment channel brand and first free to air channel in the growing Turkish market. Discovery successfully runs both Pay-TV and free to air platforms in a number of markets across Europe, and TLC Turkey will offer a diverse mix of content that adds value to our existing strong portfolio, including dedicated feeds for Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Science. TLC is the channel Turkey has been waiting for and we look forward to presenting it to viewers and our commercial partners this November,” said Discovery Networks CEEMEA EVP and country manager, emerging business James Gibbons.

     

    Dogus Media Group chairman Erman Yerdelen added, ”As Dogus Media Group, we believe Discovery Communications will introduce the Turkish market to a totally new channel, reflecting the latest trends in various types of entertainment under a very strong brand like TLC. We look forward to working alongside Discovery on future projects and offering even more surprises for Turkish viewers.”

  • “India programming is the key growth pillar of our content strategy:” Rahul Johri

    “India programming is the key growth pillar of our content strategy:” Rahul Johri

    Completing twenty years of operations in India this year is Discovery Channel and it can be safely said that since its launch in 1995, the network has not only grown in terms of the number of channels but also in terms of producing original content.

     

    Helming it for the past 13 years is Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific South Asia senior vice president & general manager Rahul Johri. In his decade plus stint, Johri built a robust portfolio of 11 brands in the South Asia region including Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, ID-Investigation Discovery, Discovery Kids, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo, Discovery HD World, TLC HD World, Animal Planet HD World and Discovery Tamil. Moreover, he is also credited with generating revenue, affiliate partnerships, viewership growth, content creation, government relations and talent management.

     

    In conversation with Indiantelevision.com’s Seema Singh, Johri throws light on the network’s journey in India so far and more.

     

    Excerpts:

     

    How has the network’s 20 years journey been in India? From setting up operations to getting in viewership, what were the challenges that the network faced?

     

    It’s been a fantastic journey for Discovery in India. We have presented and engaged the viewers with new brands and compelling content over the years. We expanded penetration in the country with our localisation strategy.

     

    We have brought in an eclectic programming mix across networks that have the right blend of Indian and international content. We have consistently presented India themes that can travel the world and international themes relevant to India.

     

    Throughout the last 20 years in India, Discovery Channel has demonstrated its commitment to satiate the curiosity of viewers by showcasing them some of the most fascinating stories from the past, current and future; breathtaking locations across geographies, continents and universe; and astonishing and most passionate personalities from across the world.

     

    What have been the high points of this 20 year journey?

     

    The last 20 years have been quite a fascinating journey for us. Discovery pioneered factual entertainment in India with the launch of Discovery Channel in 1995 and introduced a refreshing new wave of programming and completely changed the viewer’s expectations from television. 

     

    One of the high points has been the encouraging feedback from the viewers on our content. The success of our languaging strategy was immensely satisfying as it brought the viewer in every corner of the country closer to the Discovery world.

     

    Having unmatched access to produce shows of remarkable stature like Rashtrapati Bhavan, National Defence Academy in India and present them to Indian audience and around the world is extremely gratifying.

     

    And of course the expansion of our portfolio into 11 unique content channels catering to distinct viewer segments is a testimony of the value our brand offers and the trust it enjoys among its core audience.

     

    What was the thought behind launching these 11 different channels? Are there any new channel launches in the pipeline?

     

    We have expanded our portfolio three times over the last five years. Each channel launch was aimed to offer new and distinct entertainment experience to the Indian viewers. We expanded the definition of factual entertainment by launching Animal Planet in 1998, which presented wildlife programming.

     

    When we launched India’s first international lifestyle channel – TLC, viewers announced their liking for it almost overnight. It was a strong inflection point for the burgeoning Indian television market. The entire industry, including the advertisers and affiliate, took note of the refreshing content and what it meant to viewers.

     

    The aspirational, well-travelled and globally active Indian viewer demanded more unique content, 24-hours 365 days a year. Therefore, we launched two successful media brands from our global portfolio– Discovery Turbo and Discovery Science in 2010.

     

    We brought in premium viewing experience with the finest HD portfolio in the country with the launch of three HD channels – Discovery HD World, Animal Planet HD World and TLC HD World.

     

    We entered the Hindi entertainment genre with the launch of India’s first Hindi entertainment channel dedicated to true stories of mystery, investigation and suspense – ID.

     

    Filling in the gap for meaningful entertainment we launched Discovery Kids delivering smart fun programming to millions of kids in India.

     

    We are committed to the Indian market and will continue to present the best brands, content and finest viewing experience to India.

     

    What is the current viewership of the network in general and Discovery Channel in particular? What are the steps being taken to improve these numbers?

     

    The network has grown to a total of 11 channels, reaching 267 million cumulative households. We will continue to invest in content, communication and availability across all our networks. 

     

    The JV with MSM to distribute its channels has now ended. What is the plan now? Has the distribution team started working on the deals?

     

    Discovery has the finest team and with the addition of the affiliate team, we are a formidable strength and fully geared to capitalise existing opportunities and create new growth avenues.

     

    Our success depends on the power of our brands and we continue to offer maximum value to our partners.

     

    What is the content strategy for the network going forward? How many hours of content would we see getting added to the network by this year end and how many of these would be Indian productions? Can you elaborate on the content strategy for each of the channel in the network?

     

    The content strategy of the network is to deliver high-quality and differentiated programming that satiates the curiosity of the viewers. We will continue to make a difference, ignite minds and entertain viewers.

     

    Discovery globally spends over a billion dollars on content every year and Indian audience, similar to other markets around the world, get access to this content through the various networks present in the country.

     

    In India, Discovery Networks launches the maximum variety of programmes in the industry. India programming is the key growth pillar of our content strategy. We started with Indian Rendezvous as the first India series back in 2002. We went on to present path-breaking India shows ranging from exclusive accesses such as Revealed: World’s Biggest Elections, Line of Control, Humayun’s Tomb, Living with KKRand many more.

     

    Continuing to offer the widest repertoire of programmes, we launch more than 300 high-quality programmes every quarter catering to the interests, passions and demands of children, youth, women, men and families. We strengthened our India content slate with an unprecedented 100 original hours in the last two years bringing unique stories, pristine subjects, and exclusive accesses.

     

    How has advertisers’ interest grown towards the network’s properties?

     

    We are fortunate that advertisers find value on our platforms. We continue to enjoy advertisers’ confidence and respect. We have strived very hard to offer distinct audience segments for different product categories. We have one of the largest client portfolios on our network. As the leader of factual entertainment in India, we believe we are in a good space.

     

    From when the network entered the market to this day, what’s your take on subscription revenues in the country for a network like DNAP? With digitisation in Phase I and II cities, has the condition improved? Do you see the subscription revenues going up with phase III and IV getting digitised by 2016?

     

    Digitisation is a change agent in this country. We are absolutely delighted that it is bringing positive results for the viewer and for other stakeholders including the broadcasters.  

     

    We believe that the networks that are investing in their content and differentiating their brands will continue to reap benefits.

     

    After 20 years… how do you now plan to take the journey forward? What are the future plans?

     

    Our vision moving forward is based on a few key principles. They are:

    – Maintaining leadership across genres

    – Maximising viewership

    – Building on the strength of Discovery kids and establish ID as a “must watch” channel

    – Continue to produce path-breaking India content

    – Continue to innovate and deliver value to advertisers

    – Relentlessly explore new opportunities of growth

     

    How do you plan to stay ahead of competition in the genre?

     

    Our network of channels enjoys strong brand equity and viewership across the country amongst viewers, affiliate and advertisers alike. What differentiates Discovery is its ability to respond to change and innovate in line with the current and emerging viewer trends. From early adoption of new technologies, creating viewer-delighting content and building winning partnerships; we have set multiple industry benchmarks.

     

    If you reflect on Discovery’s track record of last 20 years, we have been ahead of the curve in anticipating trends that match the needs of the viewer. Be it launching the lifestyle channel TLC to being the first high-definition channel available in the country with Discovery HD World. We have offered viewers remarkable and never-seen-before content in innovative formats, delightful themes and finest personalities.

  • Sky TV and Discovery ink exclusive long-term deal

    Sky TV and Discovery ink exclusive long-term deal

    MUMBAI: Sky TV and Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP) have inked a long-term exclusive partnership for Discovery Networks programming in New Zealand, underscoring a commitment to providing viewers with the most comprehensive entertainment offering in the market.

     

    The multi-year agreement includes the addition of two brand new channels for New Zealand – TLC and Discovery Turbo – which will be available to all Sky’s domestic customers over the next few months as part of the basic subscription package.

     

    DNAP’s current New Zealand portfolio includes localised versions of global brands Discovery Channel and Animal Planet and much-loved local lifestyle channels Food TV and Living Channel. The additions of TLC and Discovery Turbo allows for distribution of an even greater variety of premiere programming that will be embraced by Kiwi audiences.

     

    “Our commitment to driving value for subscription television audiences has been seen through strong investment in high quality and engaging programming, dedicated NZ schedules and local productions. The launch of TLC and Discovery Turbo – together with the recent acquisition of Food TV and Living Channel – increases our local offering and further strengthens our partnership with Sky TV,” said Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, ANZ & Pac Islands EVP and general manager Mandy Pattinson.

     

    “We have enjoyed a long and successful partnership with Discovery Networks Asia Pacific and today’s announcement is an exciting one as we further cement our partnership. We are proud to have Discovery Channel as a pillar of our basic offering having broadcast the channel since our UHF days in the 90’s.  Now we are able to share six great Discovery Networks channels with all of our domestic customers, each offering the quality content they’re renowned for,” added Sky CEO John Fellet.

     

    Launching on 1 September as part of Sky’s basic package is TLC, the exclusive home of programming from the Oprah Winfrey Network as well as great female factual entertainment programming.

  • TLC’s Vietnamese twist to French cuisine in ‘Luke Nguyen’s France’

    TLC’s Vietnamese twist to French cuisine in ‘Luke Nguyen’s France’

    MUMBAI: TLC presents a new series with acclaimed Australian-Vietnamese chef Luke Nguyen in Luke Nguyen’s France. Luke is back to continue his culinary adventures – this time, in France. Join him as he explores the land that has shaped the food of his native country.

     

    Luke Nguyen’s France will premiere on 6 July, 2015 and will air every weekday at 8 pm only on TLC!

     

    Luke’s journey commences in Paris, where he is helped by family and friends as he explores the Parisians’ intense passion for food, decadence and tradition. Then he heads east to witness the imposing medieval architecture of Strasbourg and the unique culinary customs of Alsace. In the dewy mountains of the Franche-Comté, he gets up, close and personal with chefs who have won Michelin stars, tastes dishes made from age-old recipes and uses local produce to create delicious food of his own – with his signature Vietnamese twist. From the very French steak tartare to Luke’s own succulent salt and pepper cuttlefish, it is an adventure of the senses packed with food, fun, and familiar faces.

     

    In Lyon, Luke cooks alongside the country’s top chefs and home-cooks. He travels along France’s famed southern coastline from Nice to Biarritz and experiences the generosity of the locals as they not only open up their homes but also share their treasured family recipes. Luke’s journey will also take him through the iconic Loire Valley and later to Brittany where he enjoys French food heritage at its finest.

     

    On his journeys, Luke will uncover the Gallic influences in Vietnamese cuisine and learn about the art of regional French cooking from locals he meets along the way.

     

    Discover France’s diverse cuisine as Luke whips up tantalising dishes including classic recipes like melted goat’s cheese on sourdough and French-Vietnamese fusion cuisine. Join him as he unearths a whole new side to French food culture and lifestyle, matching culinary prowess with incredible local produce.

  • TLC to air new season of ‘The Taste’

    TLC to air new season of ‘The Taste’

    MUMBAI: TLC is all set to air the new season of The Taste from 11 May onwards. The show will be aired on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9 pm.  

     

    The competition gets hotter as Chef Marcus Samuelsson joins Nigella Lawson, Anthony Bourdain and Ludo Lefebvre at the judging table to select Britain’s best cook.

     

    The four culinary superstars and The Taste mentors will each coach a team of four competing pro and amateur cooks chosen from a casting call, as they vie to create the best tasting dish in a state of the art kitchen. Each week the groups will face team and individual challenges with a variety of culinary themes through several elimination rounds.

     

    At the end of each episode of The Taste, the mentors will have to judge the competitors’ dishes blindfolded, with no knowledge of whose creation they’re sampling, what they’re eating, how it was prepared or whom they could be sending home.

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific executive vice president and general manager – South Asia & South East Asia Rahul Johri said, “The Taste combines the best of cuisine and reality television featuring four world-renowned celebrity chefs to bring the ultimate culinary challenge to our viewers.”

     

    One blind spoonful is all it will take to win the judges over with The Taste on TLC. Celebrity chefs in India are excited about the series and have picked their favourites.

     

    Massive Restaurants founder and managing director Zorawar Kalra said, “The Tasteis going to be a clash of the titans with Nigella and Anthony competing with each other. Both of them are extremely successful and acclaimed in the international culinary field and bring their years of experience and expertise to help mentor their respective teams and give a tough competition. This one is to watch out for.”

     

    Diva, New Delhi celebrity chef and co-owner Ritu Dalmia added, “I am very partial towards Nigella! Even though I love the way Anthony writes, and books on his food journeys, when it comes to food I find Nigella a lot more appealing. So, I will be rooting for Team Nigella!”

     

    Olive Bar and Kitchen Sous chef Dhruv Oberoi said, “I will cheer for Nigella. Her dishes work well for people across all ages and her cooking style is simple yet so classic. And of course, she is beautiful so that helps gets my vote too.”

  • TLC to launch new series ‘Meet South Africa with Jonty Rhodes’

    TLC to launch new series ‘Meet South Africa with Jonty Rhodes’

    MUMBAI: TLC is all set to launch a South African sojourn with legendary cricketer Jonty Rhodes. In Meet South Africa with Jonty Rhodes, the former South African cricketer will take four lucky Indians on a trip of their lifetime as they visit South Africa’s most famous destinations.

     

    Meet South Africa with Jonty Rhodes will premiere on 9 May and will air every Saturday at 10 pm on TLC. The new series will present South Africa’s magnificence and adventure spirit in a captivating narrative by Rhodes. From sight-seeing and adventure sports to encounters with great white sharks and the ‘Big 5’, Rhodes will give the four Indians a complete South African experience.

     

    Discovery Networks Asia Pacific executive vice president and general manager, South Asia and Southeast Asia Rahul Johri said, “TLC continues to raise the bar of lifestyle programming by anticipating trends and presenting refreshing content that delivers unmatched experience. From an athletic cricketer, Jonty Rhodes transitions into his new role of hosting Meet South Africa with Jonty Rhodes that brings the best that South Africa has to offer to the Indian viewers.”

     

    In the first part of the journey, Rhodes will take the group to Cape Town, Africa’s most visited city with a cosmopolitan vibe. In Cape Town, the group will try their hand at sand-boarding, visit the Table mountain, taste wine in the Stellenbosch wine region and come face to face with the great white shark. Then, they will move on to Johannesburg where they will visit one of the earliest gold mines, go quad-biking and visit the Kruger National Park to spot the ‘Big 5’ of the animal kingdom.

  • TLC to launch new season of ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ with Gordon Ramsay

    TLC to launch new season of ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ with Gordon Ramsay

    MUMBAI: TLC is all set to premiere the new season of Hell’s Kitchen as Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay cooks up a storm in the kitchen with 20 aspiring chefs.

     

    The new season will go on air from 17 April and will be telecast every Friday at 9 pm.

     

    A new crop of aspiring cooks will show off their skills in a bid to win the life-changing prize to become head chef at a prestigious restaurant. This summer the heated competition will see 20 chefs taking on each other and Chef Gordon Ramsay in the fight for the top prize.

     

    Ramsay will bring his flair for exciting cuisine back to the kitchen as he puts the contestants through intense challenges each week as they face elimination if they are not up to the mark. The contestants who demonstrate the right skills and attitude will progress further as Chef Ramsay tests each one of them. Every week, Chef Ramsay puts the contestants through grueling tasks and dinner services to decide who comes out on top, and who will go home.

     

    In the new season of Hell’s Kitchen, the aspiring chefs are divided into two teams – the Red team (women) and the Blue team (men). Each team must immediately learn to brave Ramsay and his exacting standards in the kitchen. Once divided, the competition quickly heats up for the aspiring chefs, as each one works to simmer, sear and spice up his or her dish to Chef Ramsay and pray he doesn’t spit them out. 

     

    As the day passes, contestants are faced with challenges in the kitchen as they fight for a chance to be the winner of the contest. The contestants have to battle against each other, against their own weakness and mostly get through the acid-tongued Chef Gordon Ramsay.

  • TLC to launch ‘Food Fighters’ series from 9 April

    TLC to launch ‘Food Fighters’ series from 9 April

    MUMBAI: TLC is all set to launch a new series called Food Fighters that will showcase the epic battle between home cooks and professional chefs. Hosted by renowned foodie and TLC host Adam Richman, the series is part cooking competition and part game-show.

     

    Food Fighters will premiere on TLC on 9 April, 2015 and will air every Thursday at 9 pm.

     

    In this fight for culinary supremacy, Richman will give home-grown amateur cooks the chance to test their skills against professional chefs. Every home cook has that one ‘signature dish’ or ‘secret family recipe’ that always gains favour with friends and family and this will be their secret weapon in their fight against trained chefs.

     

    The professional chefs will try to cook the amateur’s specialty dish even better than them, in the quest to prove that they’re better. The dishes will be judged by a dinner party made up of the American public.

     

    With each savoured victory, the cash prize gets bigger and bigger as the home cooks try to rise to every challenge and outcook the professional chefs.

     

    Food Fighters is the competition that proves it’s not about the size of your kitchen, it’s how you use it.

  • Discovery & TLC top Brand Trust Report 2015

    Discovery & TLC top Brand Trust Report 2015

    MUMBAI: Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific’s two flagship channels Discovery Channel and TLC have been ranked as the most trusted brands in the factual entertainment and lifestyle categories by The Brand Trust Report 2015 for the fourth consecutive year in India. 

     

    Discovery, a non-fiction entertainment channel in India, offers an engaging line-up of high-quality content from a range of genres including blue-chip nature, science and technology, survival and adventure, ancient and contemporary history, cultural and topical subjects. 

     

    TLC, on the other hand, is an in-home getaway for aspirational viewers who want to experience the best the world has to offer. Providing an extensive mix of programming on travel, cuisine, makeover, relationships, design and lifestyle trends; it encourages viewers to make the most of their time and live the most rewarding and exciting lives.  

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific executive vice president and general manager – South Asia and Southeast Asia Rahul Johri said, “We are delighted that Discovery Channel and TLC have enhanced their brand leadership and strengthened its relationship with viewers across the country. Despite the fragmentation in the market, both channels have succeeded to increase the Trust quotient which reflects the team’s ingenuity and intensity to deliver the brand promise. This recognition embodies our commitment to offer the finest content on television and provide consistent, differentiated and enriching entertainment experience.” 

     

    Trust Research Advisory CEO N. Chandramouli added, “Discovery Channel and TLC’s rising trust legacy is admirable. These rankings are a reflection of Discovery’s brand focus and incredibly strong connect with its audience across the country.” 

     

     The Brand Trust Report, compiled and released annually, is the result of an exhaustive survey undertaken by the Trust Research Advisory (TRA). This year’s research was conducted among 2,000+ ‘influencer’ respondents across 16 cities. The study generated nearly two million data-points and 17,000 brands to create a statistically robust Brand Trust Index, which has been used to hierarchically rank India’s brands on the basis of trust.

  • TLC to launch new series – ‘The Taste’

    TLC to launch new series – ‘The Taste’

    MUMBAI: Lifestyle channel from Discovery Network’s stable, TLC is all set to air a culinary battle between food writer and television presenter Nigella Lawson, chef and television personality Anthony Bourdain and chef Ludo Lefebvre in the new series The Taste. Starting 2 March, the show will be aired every Monday and Tuesday at 9 pm.

     

    The show will feature 12 competitors from varied backgrounds, cooking dishes in an attempt to impress the three chefs. Three teams of four aspiring chefs are mentored by the trio, where they take on each other to survive the extreme fight to be the first winner of The Taste.

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific executive vice president and general manager – South Asia & South East Asia Rahul Johri said, “As the pioneer of lifestyle entertainment in India, TLC has been an incubator of new and unique formats on cuisine, travel, makeover, relationships etc. With The Taste, TLC brings three of the world’s most renowned chefs together to mentor and judge cooks from all over the UK and select one who will be crowned the champion.”

     

    All the dishes will be judged in a blind taste test. Each episode will witness the collision of fiery challenges, blind-taste eliminations and simmering egos which are cooked up as the contestants’ battle it out to please the palates of the mentors.