Discovery Times Channel Becomes “Investigation Discovery” in January 2008
– Channel Is Currently #1 Ad-Supported Cable Network For Audience Growth In 2007 –
November 27, 2007
(Silver Spring, Md.) Discovery Communications announced today that Discovery Times Channel will become “Investigation Discovery,” starting Sunday, January 27, 2008. Investigation Discovery (ID) will continue the network’s heritage of providing in-depth documentaries and series that challenge viewers on the key issues shaping our culture and defining our world. Investigation Discovery will also expand partnerships with leading news organizations to bring increased analytic, fact-based investigative and current affairs programming to the network’s 50 million U.S. households.
Investigation Discovery will build on the audience growth that has led Discovery Times Channel to earn the largest P2+ delivery gains -- triple digits over the past 10 months -- among all ad-supported cable networks for 2007 to date compared to the same period last year. The channel has also logged 14 consecutive months of double- and triple-digit total day household ratings increases (average: 79%).
“With Investigation Discovery, the company continues an organized, sequential repositioning of our emerging network portfolio. The strategy is to build faster growing and more compelling consumer propositions that can also drive the businesses of our advertising and distribution partners,” said David Zaslav, president and chief executive officer of Discovery Communications. “Global consumer interest for fact-based investigations and current affairs documentaries is large and growing. Discovery has a great programming tradition in this category, and Investigation Discovery will have over 200 hours of premiere programming in 2008, and the ability to distribute original content on the U.S. channel and across our networks in 173 countries internationally.”
Investigation Discovery is the latest in the company’s emerging networks portfolio to benefit from increased individual focus and investment. For 3Q07, The Science Channel and Military Channel’s programming slates earned double-digit total day delivery increases vs. 3Q06. The Science Channel logged household delivery +23%, total viewers + 35% and P25-54 +39%. Military Channel earned household delivery + 63%, total viewers + 56% and P25-54 + 45%. And as announced earlier this year, in 2008 Discovery Home Channel will become Planet Green -- the company’s global, multiplatform initiative featuring the first-ever 24-hour television network dedicated solely to green lifestyle programming reaching over 50 million homes and aligned with treehugger.com and planetgreen.com.
“The new name, Investigation Discovery, correlates directly to the programs that have earned such tremendous viewership gains this year, while keeping the essence of the channel’s DNA in providing in-depth content focused on issues facing our world today,” said John Ford, president and general manager of Investigation Discovery. “The new branding for the network aims to engage our loyal audience with compelling content that only Discovery can provide with credibility, intrigue and exceptional story-telling.”
Investigation Discovery will unveil its full programming line-up, new logo, on-air branding campaign and robust website in early January 2008.
Discovery Communications launched Discovery Times Channel as a joint venture with The New York Times Company in 2003. Since then, Discovery Times Channel has nearly quadrupled its distribution from 14 million to 50 million U.S. homes and has won numerous critical and industry awards, including three Emmys, an Overseas Press Club Award and three National Headliner Awards. The New York Times Company ended its partnership with the channel last year.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks are led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health, Military Channel and HD Theater, with digital media properties including HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information please visit www.discoverycommunications.com/.