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Doğuş to manage Ad Sales for
Discovery’s portfolio
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Discovery to acquire CNBC-e, its
first FTA channel in Turkey
Discovery Communications, the world's
number one pay-TV programmer, today announced that it has agreed to form a
strategic relationship with Doğuş Media Group, one of the leading media groups in Turkey, to increase
its portfolio to 13 channels and strengthen its ad sales offer, reinforcing the
company’s position as a leading international media company in Turkey.
This announcement follows a period of impressive growth for Discovery in the
market, which includes the opening of a local office in 2012, full distribution
across all major Turkish pay-TV platforms, the launch of local advertising and
continued investment in its channel portfolio.
“Turkey has been an important market for Discovery for
17 years and we are proud of our position as one of the leading international
broadcasters in the country,” said Kasia Kieli, President & MD, Discovery
Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Discovery’s
global success is based on building strong local teams and looking for new
opportunities that build scale in key markets. Our expanded relationship with
Doğuş, including ad sales representation, and new investments such as the
acquisition of the CNBC-e channel, will see us reach the next level in Turkey.”
“Doğuş Media Group holds a leading position in
the Turkish television industry through the ownership of both thematic and
mainstream television channels, as a Turkish media conglomerate that has demonstrated
a consistent growth record since 1996,” said Doğuş Media Group’s Chairman,
Erman Yerdelen. “From the outset, Doğuş Media Group has set successful examples
in the international arena by partnering with the world’s leading brands.
Today, we are proud to announce that Doğuş Media Group and one of the strongest
media groups in the world, Discovery Communications, have reached an
agreement on the mutual goal of growing and diversifying Discovery’s
broadcasting portfolio in Turkey. With this strategic relationship,
Discovery’s Turkish viewers will enjoy a greater variety of choice in
entertainment.”
Doğuş Appointed as Discovery’s Exclusive Ad Sales
Representative in Turkey
The first step of this relationship will see Doğuş
Media Group appointed as Discovery’s exclusive ad sales representative in
Turkey, starting from September 1st. In close partnership with James Gibbons, EVP for Discovery’s Emerging Business region
and Sissian Margos, in the newly created position of General Manager for
Discovery Networks Turkey, Doğuş will be
responsible for selling Discovery’s entire commercial portfolio, including
local versions of Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Science, as
well as securing sponsorship opportunities from Turkish advertisers.
Discovery Set to Acquire Doğuş-Owned Channel CNBC-e
Discovery has also agreed to acquire the
national free-to-air news and entertainment channel, CNBC-e, from Doğuş Media
Group. This marks Discovery’s first step into the Turkish free-to-air segment. Assuming customary closing
conditions are satisfied, the acquisition is expected to be concluded later
this year. CNBC-e will continue to air as is and be operated by the
existing team during the interim.
“Turkey is a dynamic TV market where free-to-air plays
a crucial role. With the addition of a free-to-air channel in our portfolio of
documentary, factual entertainment and sports channels, we will have a stronger
offering for our viewers and commercial partners, and we look forward to
working alongside Doğuş to increase the scale
of our business in Turkey,” said James Gibbons, EVP Discovery Network’s
Emerging Business. “This effort will be spearheaded by Sissian Margos, General
Manager for Turkey, working closely with our colleagues and partners.”
Additional Information
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Margos will oversee all
processes related to the collaboration with Doğuş and will provide strategic leadership on the ground.
Margos has successfully managed Discovery’s Turkish business for the last three
years in her former position of Commercial Director, supervising the opening of
Discovery’s local office in 2012 and its commercial success to date.
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CNBC-e is a
national free-to-air channel in Turkey, with 70% of Turkish ABC1 adults 20-50
saying they tune in frequently. The channel offers a mixture of news,
international entertainment and scripted content.
·
Discovery’s diverse portfolio enjoys
high awareness and popularity levels in Turkey, thanks to compelling content
and distinctive brand values such as variety, innovation and
entertainment. Four of Discovery Networks’ channels rank within the top 10
most frequently watched pay TV channels in Turkey.
Discovery Channel leads the way as the #1 international channel in Turkey
amongst affluent male viewers based on viewing in the last 12 months.
To download photographs
of the Discovery and Doğuş executives, please click HERE.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications
(Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 pay-TV programmer reaching
nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and
territories. For 30 years Discovery has been dedicated to satisfying curiosity
and entertaining viewers with high-quality content through its global
television brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation
Discovery, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as U.S. joint venture network
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery controls Eurosport, the leading
pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to
schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through
Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio,
including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
[3] Source: Ipsos
Affluent Survey Europe 2015.