Discovery Channel

Mondo Times editors    Boulder Colorado USA

Posted at 11:55am on Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Oprah's Cable Channel Launch, In Partnership With Discovery Communications, Encounters Problems Similar To Those Of TV Diva's Magazine

AdAge reported on November 11, 2009:

When Hearst Corp. launched "O the Oprah Magazine" in 2000, the media conglomerate had to work its way through a nontraditional command structure that raised eyebrows and generated tension while the glossy book was still in startup mode.

So longtime media watchers may be less surprised than one might think by some of the growing pains taking place as Discovery Communications works with Ms. Winfrey and staff to launch OWN, also known as the Oprah Winfrey Network.

And while a celebrity can launch a magazine or a TV show, "no celebrity has ever branded a network," said Larry Novenstern, exec VP-director of national and local broadcast at Publicis Groupe's Optimedia.

"She's not going to be on 24/7," he added. What kind of performance will the entire programming lineup be able to put on "when she's not on?" he asked.

The full story:
http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=140441

Mondo Times editors    Boulder Colorado USA

Posted at 3:45pm on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Discovery Communications announced that it has launched a new Web site dedicated to reporting science and technology news, the Washington Post reported on November 10, 2009:

"Just as Discovery's television shows sometimes focus on the latest scientific findings from far-flung locales around the globe, so will the news site focus on archaeological discoveries or fresh theories about the workings of the universe.

"We're on a mission to make people smarter about the world around them," said Miguel Monteverde, the site's general manager."

The full story:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/09/AR2009110903516.html

Mondo Times editors    Boulder Colorado USA

Posted at 11:56am on Sunday, November 8th, 2009

Oprah Winfrey to Narrate Follow-Up Series to 'Planet Earth'

The New York Times reported on November 2, 2009:

"One of the most recognizable voices on television, Ms. Winfrey will narrate the 11-part series, which is called “Life." In production for four years, the series will make its debut in March 2010, Discovery says.

Discovery describes the miniseries this way: “From strange creatures, such as the star-nosed mole, to epic spectacles, including millions of fruit bats darkening the Zambian sky, each episode tells mind-blowing stories of survival with drama, humor and suspense.”

The full story:
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/oprah-to-narrate-nature-series-on-the-discovery-channel/

Mondo Times editors    Boulder Colorado USA

Posted at 3:16pm on Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

In April 2009, news of U.S. Navy snipers bringing a swift end to the Somalia pirate standoff captivated the world's attention. After failing to seize the Maersk Alabama, the three remaining Somali pirates were shot dead while holding Captain Richard Phillips hostage aboard a powerless lifeboat. However, the heroic stories of the Maersk Alabama's crew and the U.S. Navy's courageous maneuvers have not been shared fully, until now.

The Discovery Channel and Military Channel have combined forces to tell the complete story in the world premiere special, SOMALI PIRATE TAKEDOWN THE REAL STORY. This comprehensive special features new footage of the pirates aboard the rogue lifeboat, first-ever broadcast interviews with members of the Maersk Alabama crew, an outline of the U.S. Navy's efforts to successfully rescue Captain Phillips, and exclusive footage shot by Military Channel's embedded crews aboard U.S. Navy ships leading counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. SOMALI PIRATE TAKEDOWN THE REAL STORY premieres Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 10 PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel. An extended version premieres on Military Channel on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 9 PM ET.