- Special MYTHBUSTERS Viral Myths Viewer Challenge Kicks Off New Program and
Promotional Collaboration -
SILVER SPRING, Md. and SAN BRUNO, Calif., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ --
Discovery Communications and YouTube announced today the debut of nine YouTube
Channels, featuring a robust collection of clips from Discovery's family of
world-class network brands. Tailoring content to the global YouTube
community, Discovery will also roll out a series of targeted international
Channels showcasing localized and native language content for specific regions
around the world. The partnership also includes a number of program promotion
initiatives designed to tap into YouTube's engaged community and drive viewers
to Discovery's networks.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080918/NETH035LOGO )
"With YouTube's unmatched reach, Discovery fans from around the world now
have another platform to engage with their favorite shows, and new audiences
can sample our compelling nonfiction content like never before online," said
Josh Freeman, executive vice president, digital media, Discovery
Communications. "Our partnership with YouTube is a significant step in the
company's strategy to expand the global reach of our content on the web and
draw new viewers to our networks."
"Our partnership with Discovery exemplifies how the YouTube platform can
drive deeper engagement with U.S. viewers and help programs find new fans
around the world," said Jordan Hoffner, director of content partnerships for
YouTube. "For a media company like Discovery Communications, with its
100-plus networks, distributing content through targeted YouTube Channels is a
strategic way to leverage individual brands and drive television viewership."
Program Integrations
As part of the companies' new partnership, Discovery and YouTube will
collaborate on a number of programming promotion and development initiatives
that will engage YouTube's interactive community. The first of these
initiatives will provide Discovery Channel fans and YouTube users the
opportunity to contribute to a special MYTHBUSTERS "Viral Myths" episode.
Starting with tonight's MYTHBUSTERS episode airing at 9 PM ET/PT in the
United States, Discovery Channel will run a series of on-air spots featuring
MYTHBUSTERS' Jamie and Adam calling on viewers to help them find new myths to
bust. Fans can post videos of myths they would like to see busted to the new
Discovery Channel YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/discoverychannel .
YouTube users can also create and post their own videos. A selection of the
submitted myths will be busted on a special "Viral Myths" episode of
MYTHBUSTERS. More information on how to be part of Jamie and Adam's extended
myth hunting crew can be found at www.discovery.com/mythbusters .
Localized International Channels
Discovery reaches over 170 countries and the majority of YouTube's
community comes from outside the United States. Programming to such
substantial global audiences, Discovery will also launch localized YouTube
Channels featuring content from Discovery's international brands and
programming from several regions including the UK, Europe, Latin America, Asia
and everywhere in between.
In October, Discovery will debut its first international YouTube
Channel -- "Ink" -- for the passionate tattoo enthusiast community, featuring
content from the UK. The Channel will highlight video clips from Discovery's
"Ink" programming franchise, including MIAMI INK, LA INK, and LONDON INK, and
will encourage users to upload videos of their own tattoos and the stories
behind them. Also launching in fourth quarter will be a German-language
YouTube Channel for DMAX, a leading free-to-air channel among men in Germany,
as well as Discovery Channel and Discovery Kids Spanish-language channels with
localized content from Latin America.
YouTube Channel Brands
Discovery's nine branded YouTube destinations include Discovery Channel
(youtube.com/discoverychannel); TLC (youtube.com/tlc); Animal Planet
(youtube.com/animalplanet); Planet Green (youtube.com/planetgreen); Discovery
Health (youtube.com/discoveryhealth); Science Channel
(youtube.com/sciencechannel); Military Channel (youtube.com/militarychannel);
Investigation Discovery (youtube.com/discoveryid); and TURBO
(youtube.com/turbochannel). These Channels offer a comprehensive selection of
short-form content, including program segments, outtakes, and behind-the-
scenes clips, as well as original short-form content produced expressly for
digital properties.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISAD, DISBD, DISCK) is the world's
number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative
subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their
world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by
Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green,
Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and
educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital
media services including HowStuffWorks.com . For more information, please
visit www.discoverycommunications.com .
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on
current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and
uncertainties. These statements are based on information available to the
Company as of the date hereof; and Discovery's actual results could differ
materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties
associated with its business, which include the risk factors disclosed in its
Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on August 6, 2008. Forward-looking statements include statements
regarding Discovery's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies
regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as
"anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may,"
"should," "will," and "would" or similar words. Discovery assumes no
obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About YouTube
YouTube is the world's most popular online video community allowing
millions of people to discover, watch and share originally created videos.
YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others
across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content
creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno,
Calif., and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.
SOURCE Discovery Communications
09/24/2008
/CONTACT: Juliet Farrell for Discovery Communications, +1-240-662-1707,
juliet_farrell@discovery.com; or Kathleen Fitzgerald for YouTube,
+1-650-214-1150, press@youtube.com/
/Web site: http://www.discovery.com
http://www.youtube.com/discoverychannel
http://www.discovery.com/mythbusters
http://www.discoverycommunications.com /
(DISAD DISBD DISCK)