BREAKING. Discovery promises more quick-produced 'topicals' in 2012 as these special doccies resonate with South African and global viewers.

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Discovery promises several more ''topicals'' or quick-produced, yet high-quality documentaries based on global news events of interest for Discovery viewers in South Africa and Africa on the Discovery Channel (DStv 121) in 2012.

At the Discovery Networks CEEMEA Upfront 2012 held Tuesday evening at Urban Tree in Johannesburg, Discovery executives said several topicals will be produced in 2012 after an enthusiastic response from viewers worldwide in 2011 on a range of specially commissioned Discovery Channel documentaries ranging from the Chilean miners, the Japan tsunami, Wikileaks to the Norway massacre.

ALSO READ: Discovery working on a special Steve Jobs documentary, i Genius - How Steve Jobs changed the World to be broadcast on 30 October in South Africa.

''Watching news is one thing. Understanding it is another,'' says Discovery. ''With exclusive access, Discovery takes you behind the headlines, revealing new perspectives and new insights into the people and stories that define our times - unrivaled analysis of unforgettable events.''

These topical quick-produced special documentaries are very cleary resonating with South African viewers in a similar way as they're doing with a global TV audience.

Wikileaks: War, Lies and Videotape increased Discovery Channels viewership by a massive 138% when it was shown in South Africa; while Chilean Mine Rescue lifted the viewership by an astounding 306% according to Saarf, AGB Data, DStv Homes and Ads 15+ viewership figures.

BREAKING. Discovery's Upfront 2012 in South Africa razzle-dazzles when it kicked off with HIM suddenly popping up in a special video.

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''Hi Johannesburg,'' surprised Bear Grylls in a special video message at the very start of Discovery Networks CEEMEA Upfront 2012 in South Africa on Tuesday evening.

Discovery did an unrivaled preview of all the programming coming up in next year on its 6 channels on DStv for South Africa and Africa at Urban Tree in Johannesburg.

There was immediate rapt attention from the press, media buyers and planners and TV executives when none other than Bear Grylls from Ultimate Survival on Discovery Channel (DStv 121) suddenly popped up at the very start of Discovery Networks' sizzle reel in a specially recorded video message.

The tented crowd immediately fell silent and since it was dark, it wasn't possible to spot for dropped jaws. ''Thank you for coming to this special Discovery event. We're hugely excited about out brand-new line-up for 2012, so please relax and enjoy,'' said Bear Grylls on the massive video wall.

After Bear Grylls' surprise special message for South Africa, Discovery Networks' vista-filled sizzle reel to kick off the upfront proceedings couldn't be anything else but completely sensorifically spectacular.

ALSO READ: Discovery's Upfront 2012 for South Africa an unrivaled preview on the year ahead, executed with master showmanship.
ALSO READ: Rocking Red: How Discovery Networks CEEMEA Upfront 2012 went from white to red for the launch of TLC on DStv.

BREAKING. Discovery's Upfront 2012 for South Africa an unrivaled preview on the year ahead, executed with master showmanship.

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Discovery's Upfront 2012 presentation for South Africa and Africa was a completely unrivaled, rich and immersive display and was - to put it very simply - in scope, presentation, and preview reach, better and executed better than any other TV channel or broadcaster seen in South Africa.

Discovery's Upfront 2012 presentation held at Urban Tree in Johannesburg on Tuesday evening showcased the programming for the whole of 2012 for the 6 available Discovery TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv bouquet in masterpiece theatre that was executed perfectly.

Discovery Networks CEEMEA's astounding Upfront 2012 echoed the brilliant presentation of last year that was again simply incomparable better, more detailed and went further into the future that any other TV channel or broadcaster seen in South Africa has ever cared to do.

The 2012 upfront - epic in design and conceptualisation, execution, presentation and the star wattage of the Discovery executives and Discovery TV talent on hand at the event - clearly solidifies Discovery's image as an unquestionable blue-chip TV operation. Discovery, a premium television brand, is absolutely on par, if fact surpassing and eclipsing even M-Net and SuperSport in showmanship, channels planning and information and engaging with the press and media planners through this impressive event.

The Discovery Networks CEEMEA Upfront 2012 was filled wih Discovery executives from Europe, TV talent from America and Namibia, as well as top MultiChoice executives like Nico Meyer the CEO of MultiChoice South Africa.

They were woven into the remarkable showcase presentation to give journalists, ad buyers, advertisers, media planners and TV executives a complete overview of what will be shown and happening on its 6 Discovery channels for 2012 for South Africa and the Africa region.

The two new Discovery TV channels joining MultiChoice's DStv extended portfolio from this Friday, ID: Investigation Discovery and TLC, were welcomed and included with Discovery Channel, Discovery World, Discovery HD Showcase and Animal Planet.

Small but noteworthy: Discovery became the first broadcaster and TV brand present in South Africa ever to use and incorporate the portable, angular glass teleprompters for presenters. In 13 years of covering press events for channel previews, quarterly screenings and TV upfronts it's the first time this technology was used at one of these upfront events. It looked high-class, professional and aided the sophisticated presentation.

''2012 is set to be an epic year for our DStv portfolio,'' said Lee Hobbs, the channel director for Discovery Networks CEEMEA. ''We have a huge line-up of new shows across our DStv portfolio including the return of some of our most popular series as well as many new faces that we're certain are going to prove to be big hits in South Africa,'' he said.

''With TLC and ID joining our channel line-up we really do now have a portfolio that appeals to every key demographic in the country,'' said Lee Hobbs.

ALSO READ: Discovery's Upfront 2012 in South Africa razzle-dazzles when it kicked off with HIM suddenly popping up in a special video.

BREAKING. Jeremy Wade from River Monsters on Discovery Channel is in South Africa; ready to film 3 dangerous episodes in Botswana.

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I can reveal that not only is fish fanatic Jeremy Wade in South Africa, the Discovery fisherman of River Monsters is in fact leaving South Africa on Wednesday for Botswana where he will be filming brand-new episodes that will be seen in 2012.

At the Discovery Networks CEEMEA Upfront 2012 - where Jeremy Wade made a surprise appearance and was an anchor personality for one of Discovery's 6 channels on MultiChoice's DStv platform - a source told me that Jeremy Wade will be flying to Botswana at 07:30 on Wednesday morning from South Africa.

Jeremy Wade will be recording 3 episodes - episodes 4, 5 and 6 - in Botswana and the Okovango over the next few weeks and a 7th episode in Zambia looking for the world's most dangerous fish.

Meanwhile in the official upfront presentation, Discovery officially announced that June 2012 will be ''Extreme Fishing Season'' on Discovery Channel (DStv 121). June 2012 will see brand-new episodes of River Monsters. There will also be a brand-new show starting in June 2012, also with Jeremy Wade, entitled Monster Rivers.

ROCKING RED: How Discovery Networks CEEMEA Upfront 2012 turned from white to red for the launch of TLC on DStv.

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The Discovery Networks CEEMEA Upfront 2012 held earlier this evening at Urban Tree went from white in the late Johannesburg afternoon sun, to suddenly deep red in the evening for the launch party of TLC (DStv 186).

TLC will be joining MultiChoice's DStv bouquet from this Friday, 14 October. Guest - the press, media buyers, advertisers, TV talent and executives - arrived at Discovery Networks CEEMEA's Upfront 2012 for a broad overview and a look at what the 6 Discovery channels on MultiChoice will be offering and showing for the 4th quarter as well as the whole of 2012.

Guest arrived and walked through the Discovery Networks tunnel to find themselves on the inside with champagne in a white lounge and cocktail environment.

The actual upfront presentation of the 2012 programming on the various channels - Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery World, Discovery HD Showcase, TLC, ID: Investigation Discovery - actually took place inside this massive black Discovery tent.

After the very professional presentation guests returned to be greeted by the cocktail and lounge area now bathed in deep red light, red couches, red roses - even red cupcakes.

ALSO READ: The TLC launch party of the channel joining DStv, lures the brilliant bridal boss Lori Allen all the way from Atlanta to South Africa.
ALSO READ: The TLC red carpet Cosmo is a zinger of a cocktail at the red and lovely launch party of the TLC channel that's joining DStv.

BREAKING. The TLC launch party of the channel joining DStv, lures the brilliant bridal boss Lori Allen all the way from Atlanta to South Africa.

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With her wonderful Southern accent, grace, friendliness and personality that simply lit up the entire room, Lori Allen - all the way from Atlanta - surprised the press, guests, advertisers, ad buyers and South African TV executives when she appeared as the star guest, draped in shimmering red, at the TLC launch party earlier this evening.

TLC (DStv 186) will be joining MultiChoice's DStv platform from this Friday, 14 October.

Lori Allen is a firm fixture on TLC with her popular show Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids and she agreed to travel very far to come and help launch TLC on DStv. I asked her to pose for a photo, here with Lee Hobbs, channel director for emerging business at Discovery Networks for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA). Even though they were busy with their own conversation, they immediately, graciously agreed to walk  few steps with me.

I arrived and Discovery Networks CEEMEA Upfront 2012 event earlier this evening and in less than 5 minutes the gracious, warm and hilarious Lori Allen found me, introduced herself, and started a genuine, real and very enjoyable conversation.

Even though suddenly at the tip of Africa Lori Allen was completely at ease, told me she's looking forward to a quick safari later this week, and also introduced me to her husband who tagged along for this trip (we talked cable and satellites). She asked about South Africa's beaches. I thanked her for making the effort to come so far - despite rumours from the dark continent about elephants in the streets which is not true, and she laughed and said ''So I'm discovering!''

Lori Allen's salon is the largest full-service bridal salon in America, and it's located in Sandy Springs, Atlanta. Her salon features prominenty in Say Yes to the Dress. It's clear that Lori Allen deals with crazy brides because at the TLC launch party she was completely calm, and it must have been a mere 1 on her stress scale of 1 to 10.

Lori Allen asked me if I've watched a lot of TLC. I had to be honest and told her not that much but that I do keep my eye on it. Especially that mom with the many kiddies.

ALSO READ: Rocking Red - How the Discovery Networks CEEMEA Upfront 2012 turned from white to red for the launch of TLC on DStv.
ALSO READ: The TLC Red Carpet Cosmo is a zinger of a cocktail at the red and lovely launch party of the TLC channel joining DStv.

FIRST LOOK! The TLC Red Carpet Cosmo is a zinger of a cocktail at the red and lovely launch party of the TLC channel joining DStv.

MultiChoice is bringing TLC (DStv 186) to the DStv platform with the channel that will start broadcasting on the DStv bouquet this Friday 14 October.

In a right-as-red TLC launch party in Johannesburg earlier this evening to celebrate the addition to MultiChoice's DStv bouquet, TLC had a red bar with a specially created cocktail menu which clearly showed thought, attention and effort. The cocktail menu was a cheeky play on TLC's channel proposition, programming and the channel's look and feel as a channel for the modern woman.

For the safer choice on the cocktail menu there was the non-alcoholic ''Spice up your life'' Mango Lassi, as well as the more adventurous Momma's Crimson Mojito with a dash of liqueur and Bacardi Razzberry.

The Shopaholic's Champenoise, served in a champagne flute glass (lots of those around as well as ''ordinary'' sparkling champers right through the eveing) had dry vodka while the Lemon Ice ''I Do'' had vanilla vodka and came in a margarita glass.

There was also the Between Meetings Melon Martini but nothing nothing came close to the TLC Red Carpet Cosmo - a power drink of vodka, cranberry juice and lime. What a zinger.

ALSO READ: Rocking Red - How the Discovery Networks CEEMEA Upfront 2012 turned from white to red for the launch of TLC on DStv.
ALSO READ: The TLC launch party of the new channel joining DStv, lures the brilliant boss Lori Allen all the way from Atlanta to South Africa.

BREAKING. Discovery working on special documentary, iGenius - How Steve Jobs Changed the World to air in South Africa on 30 October.

A special documentary iGenius - How Steve Jobs Changed the World is coming to the Discovery Channel (DStv 121) - and possible the other Discovery channels too - as soon as Sunday 30 October in South African and Africa, Discovery Networks just announced. 

Lee Hobbs, the channel director for emerging business at Dicovery Networks for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region made the announcement at Discovery Networks CEEMEA spectacular Upfront 2012 at the same time as the worldwide announcement went out and could hardly contain himself.

The audience and guests at Discovery Networks CEEMEA Upfront 2012 in Johannesburg - consisting of ad buyers, advertisers, journalists, international Discovery TV talent as well as local and international TV executives - all let out a collective and very audible gasp of surprise, excitement and awe when Lee Hobbs announced the news.

''We just got confirmation and I just had to share it with you all right now,'' Lee Hobbs said with visible delight. Attendees immediately started buzzing. ''It will look at the life and influence of Steve Jobs and it's sure to be amazing,'' he said. The Apple founder unexpectedly passed away last week and on Sunday Discovery Science happened to show a fascinating documentary about the history of the iPod.

iGenuis - How Steve Jobs Changed the World will be the latest of Discovery Networks' quick turnaround, quality documentaries that capitalise on current news events by bringing applied news values as well as high production documentary expertise together to create fascinating documentaries that manage to explore subjects deeper than news channel documentaries in almost as fast the time.

Lee Hobbs said the tentative plan is to show iGenius - How Steve Jobs Changed the World in South Africa and across Africa on 30 October.

FRIDAY 14 OCtober 17:00 - Discovery has now confirmed a time of 20:55 on 30 October for iGenius - How Steve Jobs Changed the World on Discovery Channel (DStv 121).

ALSO READ: Discovery Channel planning a special-effects filled documentary for the 100th anniversary of the Titanic in April 2012.