Discovery Communications completes its acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive, changes the company name to just Discovery, Inc.

Discovery Communications, Inc. has successfully completed its acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. with the combined company that will be officially known as simply: Discovery, Inc.

In Africa, Discovery's acquisition sees The Food Network (DStv 175) and the Travel Channel (DStv 179) already carried on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform, join Discovery’s existing stable of TV channels currently available in the market like Discovery Channel (DStv 121), TLC (DStv 135), Discovery Family (DStv 136), Investigation Discovery (ID) (DStv 171), Animal Planet, DTX and Discovery Science (StarSat 320).

"Today marks another critical milestone for Discovery, as we become a differentiated kind of media company with the most trusted portfolio of family-friendly brands around the globe," says David Zaslav, president and CEO of Discovery.

"As a new global leader in real life entertainment, Discovery will serve loyal and passionate audiences around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains across every screen; deliver new ways for advertisers and distributors to reach highly targeted audiences at scale; and leverage our leadership position to create new value and growth opportunities for all of our stakeholders."

Discovery says the name change to Discovery, Inc. demonstrates "a new focus on growth in the areas at which Discovery excels, telling stories across deeply loved genres and empowering superfans to explore their world wherever and whenever they choose".

Kenneth W. Lowe, the former chairperson, president and CEO of Scripps Networks Interactive will join Discovery’s board of directors, effective immediately.

Discovery Communications plans to move its global headquarters to New York in the second half of 2019.

Discovery Communications that has been based in Silver Spring, Maryland in the United States plans to move its global headquarters to New York in the second half of 2019, contingent on the approval of Discovery's acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive.

Discovery told staffers in an email on Tuesday that Discovery wants to move to New York City. About 1 300 Discovery staffers are based in the Silver Spring area.

While Discovery has a presence in New York, it wants to relocate to a large new space in the second half of next year.

Discovery employs around 7 000 people globally.

Discovery's media distribution facility in Sterling, Virginia from where it creates over 80 global channel feeds will become a global technology center.

Discovery runs multiple pay-TV channel brands like the Discovery Channel, TLC, Discovery Family, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, IDx (Investigation Discovery) and Discovery Science seen in Africa and South Africa on satellite pay-TV platforms like MultiChoice's DStv service and the Chinese StarTimes' StarSat platform.

“The media industry is rapidly evolving, increasingly global, more consumer focused and more multi-platform and Discovery must evolve with it,” said David Zaslav, Discovery’s president and CEO.

“The decision to move our global headquarters from its founding home is one we do not make lightly. We remain unwavering in our support of the Maryland and Greater Washington, D.C. area and we thank the leadership of the State of Maryland, Montgomery County and, most importantly, our employees for their cooperation and understanding as we make this important next step for the long-term success of Discovery.”

In the email to staffers David Zaslav says "We have made the difficult decision to reduce our footprint in Maryland over time, with the ultimate closure and sale of our One Discovery Place headquarters building in Silver Spring, expected in 2019".

Discovery buys majority control of the Oprah Winfrey Network; extends her deal to remain as CEO of OWN through at least 2025.

Discovery Communications has increased its stake in Oprah Winfrey's Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) by buying majority control and extending her deal to remain as CEO of OWN through at least 2025.

The new deal means that Oprah Winfrey is losing control in her own TV channel but it comes at a hefty price tag of $70 million paid by Discovery Communications to Harpo Inc., that is upping its stake from its 50/50 joint venture started in 2008 by adding another 24.5%.

Discovery will now own more than 70% of OWN.

While OWN isn't available as a separate TV channel in South Africa, OWN programming is played out in programming blocks on Discovery Networks International's TLC Entertainment (DStv 135) carried on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform in South Africa and across Africa.

"Ten years ago, Oprah and I began to imagine what a network, inspired by her vision and values, could mean to viewers across the United States," says David Zaslav, Discovery CEO and president in a statement announcing Discovery's majority interest stake in OWN.

"In an increasingly crowded landscape, OWN has emerged as the leading destination for African-American women and one of the strongest superfan brands across all screens and services."

"This transaction allows Discovery and Oprah to unlock more value from our partnership; extends once more her commitment to the network; and lets us continue our strong work together to nourish OWN viewers with the content they love."

Oprah Winfrey says "creating OWN and seeing it flourish, supported by Discovery and a rapidly growing group of the finest storytellers in film and television, is one of my proudest achievements".

"I'm thrilled with the network's success and excited about this next chapter in our partnership."

"Together, we'll continue to inspire our viewers with real-life stories that are emotional and entertaining, connecting them to each other and to their greatest potential."

Erik Logan, OWN president says "I'm excited for OWN to be part of Discovery in a deeper, more meaningful way and for the opportunity this unlocks for our future".

"Our network has achieved what most people thought was impossible and as we look toward the future, now more than ever, we are poised for continued success."

Veteran Discovery executive Paul Welling appointed to oversee the launch and growth of Discovery's brands and franchises worldwide.

Paul Welling, who was Discovery Communications' senior vice president and head of channels for Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA region) has been appointed as senior vice president of international brand and franchise development for Discovery Networks International (DNI).

Discovery Networks International supplies several Discovery packages channels to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform DStv in South Africa and across Africa, as well as Discovery's Science channel to StarTimes Media SA's StarSat platform.

Paul Welling's move leaves Africa, the Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe without a channels boss at the moment.

In his new role, the highly experienced Paul Welling who has been with Discovery for almost 20 years and who will report to Marjorie Kaplan, DNI's president of content, will oversee the launch and growth of Discovery's brands and franchises around the world.

"Now more than ever, Discovery needs to bolster our strong and beloved global brands with content and dynamic campaigns that are not only authentic and purpose-driven, but entertaining, buzzworthy and compelling," says Paul Welling.

"Great content will inform some superb marketing and vice versa. We're vying for the attention of consumers in so many ways that content can't stand on its own and be expected to succeed."

"I think our business partners will continue to benefit from the fully immersive, panoramic view of utilising content and igniting all the great creativity around that content."

"With his new role, I am excited for Paul Welling to lend his talents to the entire organisation and really dig deep on curating content, brands and talent that resonate with viewers while galvanising our superfans across all screens and around the globe," says Marjorie Kaplan.

"He knows the right levers to pull in order to really make our content more than just a broadcast; he will make it into an event," says Marjorie Kaplan.

Discovery Communications looking for Nazi treasure as it gets permission to film World War II train mystery that might yield precious artworks, gold.

Discovery Communications is looking for possible Nazi gold in Poland where Discovery got permission and access to film the investigation into a World War II armored train mystery.

In 2016 Discovery International Networks will show the investigation and process on one of the Discovery channels on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform that is taking place in that country and that will hopefully solve an intriguing historical mystery.

Discovery will be filming the investigation of the Department of geophysics at the University of Science and Technology (AGH) in the town of Walbrzych, looking into what might be buried at the potential final resting place of a German armored train that's been buried deep underground for 70 years.

According to speculation over the years, priceless artwork and gold could be onboard the Nazi train.

In a statement Marjorie Kaplan, president of content for Discovery Networks International says Discovery will "help chronicle what will no doubt continue to be a globally captivating story, and could be one of the most significant World War Two archaeological finds ever made".

"We are proud to have the world's eyes on Poland as we stand alongside our local partners to capture these events as they unfold. We look forward to sharing this story around the world in a way that only Discovery can through its global networks and rich heritage of capturing these monumental moments in history," says Olgierd Dobrzynski, the general manager for Discovery Networks Poland.

"Our experience and modern equipment will contribute to solving the riddle that has kept so many people around the world interested," says Prof. Janusz Madej, the chief of research expedition at AGH's Department of Geophysics.

Discovery Networks and Scripps break off talks over the tantalising possibility of Discovery taking over Scripps' TV channels.

Discovery Communications and Scripps Networks Interactive are no longer talking about the possibility of Discovery buying and taking over Scripps and all its TV channels, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Last month the trade publication Variety reported that Discovery Communications was thinking about the option of maybe acquiring Scripps - a tantalising possibility which would have seen TV channels such as Food Network and the Travel Channel become part of Discovery's television collection.

The Wall Street Journal has unnamed sources which say talks between Discovery Communications and Scripps Networks International has ended, which means that Discovery will not be buying Scripps.

Discovery Communications considering buying TV channels such as Food Network, Travel Channel.

Discovery Communications is reportedly considering buying satellite pay-TV channels such as Food Network and the Travel Channel as ongoing consolidation is taking place in the pay-TV industry, according to the trade publication Variety.

Food Network and Travel Channel are part of a group of TV channels belonging to Scripps Networks Interactive which is looking for a possible buyer.

According to Variety, the possibility of Discovery Communications putting in a bid to buy Scripps Networks was discussed at a Discovery board meeting on Tuesday.

According to Variety, Scripps Networks Interactive's set of channels which include other channels not seen in South Africa or Africa, would make "a natural fit" for Discovery which already has channels such as TLC, Animal Planet and TLC Entertainment with an OWN block of programming..

Discovery Networks CEEMEA resumes its carriage agreement with TopTV and returns its 3 Discovery channels after a massive public embarrassement.

Discovery Networks International for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region restored its carriage agreement with the struggling On Digital Media (ODM) today to resume carrying its three Discovery channels - TLC (TopTV 453), Discovery Science (TopTV 302) and ID: Investigation (TopTV 303) - on its TopTV satellite pay-TV platform in South Africa after a massive public embarrassement.

In a case study of "how NOT to" when it comes to crisis management and crisis communication, neither the arrogant and aloof Discovery Networks International nor the arrogant and aloof TopTV bothered or felt the need to talk to those who presumably matter most: its viewers and pay-TV subscribers.

TopTV's pay-TV subscribers - those who remain after multiple public missteps from the company currently in business rescue and which faced liquidation - were left angry, perplexed - and vented - after Discovery Networks CEEMEA abruptly and without any warning from them as content provider or from TopTV, pulled the three channels.

TopTV's channels were set to go dark on Tuesday night if TopTV shareholders didn't vote to approve the StarTimes bail-out deal. TopTV's third-party channel providers and creditors were aware of that and were ready to shut down their channels.

It's foreseeable that TopTV forgot to tell Discovery Networks CEEMEA that TopTV is still an ongoing business after the end of April - or that TopTV didn't communicate and that Discovery presumed the carriage agreement is over.

It's also possible that Discovery would have shut its channels down anyway at the end of April similar to Manchester United Television (MUTV) in November 2012 and Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) which pulled Showtime, Star! and Silver in December 2012 due to millions in outstanding debt.

It's also possible that TopTV didn't in time,or forgot to do so in time, communicate with Discovery Networks CEEMEA to discuss the new bail-out agreement with StarTimes and to ask Discovery to be lenient since new cash flow will be forthcoming.

Which one of these possibilities it is - or anything else - is not yet known since Discovery Networks CEEMEA and TopTV declined to give answers when asked and offered the opportunity to explain.

At 16:51 today TopTV's PR company paid to handled public relations and media enquiries, Amplified Communications, suddenly issued a press statement saying "TopTV is pleased to announce that the three Discovery Channels broadcast from its platform - Science, ID and TLC - will be restored on-air after 17:00 this evening."

It follows after media enquiries on Friday with specific questions as to what went on - both to TopTV marketing and publicity executives, Amplified Communications, as well as to Discovery Networks CEEMEA through their local employed South African PR firm, Fleishman-Hillard.

Specific questions about what is going on with the missing Discovery channels all went blatantly unanswered. The PR companies of course get paid by Discovery and TopTV and operate according to their instructions.

During the day TopTV didn't communicate with TopTV subscribers and refused to answer questions from the press about what is happening and why it happened, as TopTV subscribers wondered what's going on.

"Due to the technical nature of the business rescue process and a misunderstanding between the parties, Discovery Communications suspended its services to TopTV yesterdat (02 May)."

"Following a discussion between TopTV and Discovery earlier today, the situation was resolved and the three channels will be switched back on during the course of this afternoon," says the late-issued statement attributing quotes to Eddie Mbalo, TopTV's acting CEO.

"TopTV would like to apologise to its subscribers for this inconvenience and thanks them for their continued and loyal support."

Sadly for thousands of TopTV subscribers this "apology" came far too late.

TV with Thinus asked Amplified Communications and TopTV for specific answers to specific questions early on Friday after first asking on Thursday evening. On Friday no answers or explanations were forthcoming.

Fleishman-Hillard repping Discovery Networks CEEMEA said today "Discovery Networks will not be commenting on the issue at this stage."

I asked TopTV bare-minimum, bare basics questions which ordinary TopTV subscribers wanted and needed - and has a right - to know, since they pay actual real money for a service (they're not getting).

Subscribers of TopTV say they can't get their Discovery channels and were not told the channels are discontinued.
Why did the channels stop broadcasting?
No response.
Subscribers are wondering whether more TV channels on TopTV will be lost. Can TopTV give any assurances that the channels currently broadcasting will remain "on", or what does TopTV want to say and communicate to subscribers?
No response.
Why was TopTV subscribers not told that the Discovery channels would no longer be transmitted from yesterday, or, was TopTV informed, or when was TopTV told?
No response.

After the press statement was issued 9 minutes before the Discovery channels came back on, I asked - again - to please get specific answers to my specific questions and media enquiries made. I was told the press statement answers the "issue".


ALSO READ: Shocking lack of communication from Discovery Networks CEEMEA and TopTV after Discovery's 3 TV channels abrupty disaappear.
ALSO READ: Discovery's three TV channels on TopTV - Science, ID and TLC - all gone and blank as Discovery Networks International pulls their channels from TopTV.

Editor's note: You would think PR companies, media companies, companies whose business is relationship management and companies whose business is making money from communication would communicate better than the average. Clearly not. That's sad.
Companies, entities, corporations and individuals of course have the right of reply.
As a journalist I have to ask people. I also have to ask because it's my job and I ask on behalf of those who can't.
Companies and people and institutions have a golden opportunity to mitigate brand and reputation damage by responding and talking and being open, instead of pulling back, instead of having publicist become gatekeepers and blockers instead of being instrumental communicators and conduits for information. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's the business you're in. Media. Communication. How terrible when its not happening.
And the people suffering the most? The TopTV subscriber who not only gets handled and treated badly and without respect - but who are also shown through a total lack of proper corporate and public communication that they seemingly don't even "deserve", and are unworthy, of real-time answers.

Discovery Communications celebrates its 25th anniversary this week with six TV channels in South Africa.

Discovery Communications is celebrating its 25th anniversary in the rest of the world this week. The broadcasting group is responsible for the selection of Discovery TV channels available on both MultiChoice's DStv, as well as On Digital Media's (ODM) TopTV pay TV platforms in South Africa. Its Discovery Channel (DStv 120) has been available in South Africa for the past 14 years.

''Discovery has a portfolio of channels in every country in Europe,'' says Caleb Weinstein, the senior vice president and general manager of emerging markets for Discovery Networks for the Middle East and Africa region (EMEA). ''Discovery has operated in South Africa for 14 years. We invest heavily in understanding our audience,'' he says. ''Discovery has aimed to educate, entertain and make a difference, and we intend to continue doing this for the next 25.''

Discovery currently runs Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery World and Discovery HD Showcase on DStv, and since May also three channels on TopTV: ID Investigation Discovery, Discovery Science and Travel & Living.