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22.03.02
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
and Discovery Communications, Inc. sign the deal of the decade
The
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Ltd and Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI)
today announced that they have agreed "the deal of the decade":
a landmark ten-year extension to the global partnership originally
commenced in July 1997 (and signed in March 1998). This takes the
partnership, now in the final year of the initial five-year period,
through to 2012, making the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ/DCI relationship almost unique in
terms of scale and longevity within world broadcasting.
The
extension indicates how well the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ/DCI partnership has performed
so far and the confidence both partners have in their ability to
build together for the future. This new announcement of a ten-year
extension goes beyond the terms of the original agreement, which
was for an initial five-year period and anticipated only a five-year
extension, rather than a ten-year extension.
The
wide-ranging alliance between Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Ltd, the main commercial
arm of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, and DCI was formed to develop television channels
and factual programming for the global marketplace. The joint venture
has three main elements: the co-production of high quality factual
programming; the development of jointly-owned television channels
around the world, and developing and distributing Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ AMERICA, the
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's wholly owned entertainment and news channel.
The
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ/DCI joint venture has had considerable success. Scores of high
quality factual programmes have been produced, drawing critical
praise and record viewing audiences. Jointly owned networks such
as People+Arts, reaching over 12 million homes in Latin America,
and Animal Planet, reaching over 130 million homes in 70 countries
around the world, have also been successfully developed. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ AMERICA
was launched to critical acclaim in the United States with current
distribution standing at over 26 million homes.
The
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sales Company licenses, co-produces and distributes factual
programming in the United States and Canada on behalf of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
and DCI. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ/DCI joint venture further monetizes these award-winning
programmes, through publishing and merchandising, creating multi-million
dollar properties that allow for greater investment in high quality
programming.
Programmes
have included the BAFTA, Emmy and Peabody award-winning Walking
With Dinosaurs, the most-watched documentary in US cable history,
and its sequel, ratings smash Walking With Beasts. The joint venture
has also enjoyed phenomenal global success with other cutting edge
titles such as The Blue Planet, The Human Body, Son of God and The
Human Face.
Greg
Dyke, Director General of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, said, "When this partnership
was formed, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ aimed to be part of the greatest creative force
in factual broadcasting globally. Our alliance with DCI means that
outstanding programmes such as The Blue Planet and Walking With
Dinosaurs have been shared and enjoyed by individuals, families
and communities in countries right around the world. This is a powerful
service we will continue to build over the next ten years."
John
Hendricks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DCI said, "This
partnership between the world's two leading producers of high quality
television demonstrates a commitment to bring the best content from
anywhere in the world to audiences everywhere in the world. The
next ten years of this partnership will continue to strengthen the
quality, scope and reach of all of Discovery's brands."
Rupert
Gavin, Chief Executive, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide said, "The partnership
with Discovery has not only seen the creation of landmark programming
and television channels around the world, but is also a clear indication
of how a global partnership such as this builds value and allows
for significant re-investment in programming, to the benefit of
the UK licence payer."
Judith
A. McHale, President and Chief Operating Officer, DCI said, "Strategic
partnerships like the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ/DCI joint venture are a central element
of Discovery's growth strategy in the years to come. The complementary
expertise of the two organisations allows for cost sharing, creative
balance and increased distribution, which gives Discovery a significant
competitive advantage in the domestic and international marketplace."
Notes
to Editors:
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ AMERICA is wholly owned and scheduled by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and marketed
and distributed by DCI as part of the joint venture. The channel
is now available in 26 million homes via satellite and multiple
cable systems, well ahead of target, and is expected to grow to
30 million by end 2003. Named the "hottest new import from
across the Atlantic" by TV Guide, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ AMERICA brings audiences
a new generation of award-winning television featuring razor-sharp
comedies, groundbreaking movies, provocative dramas, and news with
a uniquely global perspective. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ AMERICA pushes the boundaries
to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable
programming to viewers who demand more. For more information about
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ AMERICA visit www.bbcamerica.com.
Animal
Planet offers natural history entertainment with an animal twist:
magazine shows, reality TV, dramas, comedies, game shows, news and
sports are all found on this unique network. First launched in the
United States in 1996, Animal Planet is now available in 130 million
homes across the U.S., Asia, Europe and Latin America. In recent
years, the channel has launched into new markets such as Japan and
India.
People+Arts is available in all countries throughout Latin America
and the Iberian Peninsula, and showcases the best in contemporary
factual entertainment, featuring award-winning biographies, compelling
real-life documentaries and fascinating insights into the world's
people, places and cultures. People+Arts launched in October 1997
and is now one of the leading pan-regional channels in the factual
genre, with 12.2 million subscribers. People+Arts is customised
in both Spanish and Portuguese and features commissioned programmes
tailored to the diverse tastes of viewers throughout Latin America
and the Iberian Peninsula. The channel has won several Promax/BDA
awards.
Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) is the leading global media
and entertainment company. DCI has grown from its core property,
the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985,
to current global operations in 155 countries, with over 650 million
cumulative subscribers. DCI's programming is tailored to the specific
needs of viewers around the globe, and distributed through 77 separate
feeds in 33 languages. DCI's networks encompass 14 entertainment
brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health
Channel, Discovery Kids, and a family of digital channels. DCI's
other properties consist of Discovery.com and 170 Discovery Channel
retail stores. DCI also distributes Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ AMERICA in the United States.
The
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has no liability for funding the joint ventures with DCI but
contributes its renowned programme strengths and its long established
international reputation as a high-quality public service broadcaster.
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ generates income to support its domestic services by marketing
its programme-related products and services through its main commercial
arm, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Worldwide was formed in May 1994 to develop a co-ordinated approach
to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's commercial and international activities across television,
publishing and licensing. It aims to ensure that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ continues
to grow as a significant player in the world media market, while
maintaining the high editorial and production standards for which
the corporation is internationally renowned.
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