Discovery Communications

Discovery gets DoJ approval for Scripps deal

Discovery Communications’ US$14.6 billion (€12.4 billion) acquisition of fellow US-based cable group, Scripps Networks Interactive, has been cleared by the US Department of Justice (DoJ). Commenting on the DoJ’s decision to close its investigation, Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav said it was a “significant regulatory milestone” and an “integral step toward closing our transaction”. […]

Discovery-Scripps deal cleared by European Commission

The European Commission has cleared Discovery Communications’ US$14.6 billion (€12.4 billion) proposed buyout of Scripps Networks Interactive. The greenlight marks an important step towards completion of the deal, with Discovery stating it expects the acquisition to close later this quarter – subject to obtaining additional antitrust clearances and satisfying other customary closing conditions. The EC’s […]

ProSiebenSat.1 and Discovery hire Google exec to lead 7TV

ProSiebenSat.1 and Discovery Communications have named Google executive, Alexandar Vassilev, as CEO of their recently launched German streaming service 7TV. Vassilev starts with immediate effect and joins from Google in the US where he has worked for the past 10 years, most recently as product manager for Google Search. Vassilev will report to the 7TV […]

Discovery leaving Maryland after three decades for New York

Discovery Communications is planning to relocate from its home in Maryland to New York City in 2019 after buying Scripps Networks Interactive. The move is contigent on the US$14.6 billion deal for Scripps completing, as expected. The plan will see Discovery’s HQ move to New York, with a national operations headquarters based at Scripps’ home […]

DNA agrees deal to continue airing Discovery channels

Finnish telco, cable and digital-terrestrial pay TV operator DNA has struck a deal with Discovery to continue airing the Discovery and Eurosport channels following the carriage terms dispute between the pair at the end of last year. The deal means that DNA will continue to distribute Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Discovery HD Showcase, Discovery Science, […]

Discovery launches car-themed SVOD service via Amazon

Discovery Communications’ focus on ‘super fans’ continues with the launch of a motorcar-themed SVOD service via Amazon Channels. Motor Trend OnDemand is billed as a “supercharged automotive product for motoring fans”, and is now available in the UK. The move comes soon after James Gibbons became Discovery’s general manager for the UK, Ireland, Australia and […]

Finland’s DNA latest to threaten dropping Discovery

Finnish cable and digital-terrestrial pay TV operator DNA has said it could drop Discovery’s channels on January 1 after being unable to meet the factual channel’s demand for higher distribution fees. DNA said it will drop SD and HD versions of Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Discovery HD Showcase, Discovery Science, Discovery World, Investigation Discovery, Eurosport […]

Discovery restructures EMEA team

Discovery Communications is changing the structure of its EMEA business, after naming Susanna Dinnage as global president for Animal Planet in November. The move will see Discovery consolidate business units that were previously split into the UK, Nordics, Southern Europe and CEEMEA. Discovery believes that one cohesive leadership team can be more focused on optimizing […]

Shareholders okay Discovery’s Scripps deal

Discovery Communications’ takeover of US cable rival Scripps Networks Interactive is drawing near after shareholders agreed to the deal. The US$14.6 billion deal brings networks such as Discovery Channel and Animal Planet together with the Food Network and HGTV. Discovery’s shareholder overwhelmingly voted in favour of the agreement, with more than 258 million for and […]

Amazon Channels adds Discovery Channel

Discovery Channel, Discovery Communication’s premium pay TV brand, is set to become available on Amazon Channels in Germany and Austria. The launch of Discovery Channel on the service extends the partnership between Amazon and Discovery, which launched Eurosport Player on Amazon Channels earlier this year. Amazon customers with an active Prime membership in Germany and […]