Latest in Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications laid off an unspecified number of employees at the Scripps Networks Interactive offices in Knoxville, TN. A company spokesperson confirmed the job cuts, but refused to say how many people would lose their jobs. AdAge reported in mid-July that Discovery was reorganizing its ad sales team…

Discovery Communications touted the strength of its bulked-up cable portfolio in the company’s first upfront event since closing its $14.6 billion acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive. CEO David Zaslav called the presentation at New York’s Alice Tully Hall “our coming-out party.” After a short video greeting by…

For Kathleen Finch, March has always been hectic, the annual time for Scripps Networks Interactive to set off on its annual upfront road show. Rather than one big blowout in New York, the Knoxville, Tenn.-based owner of Food Network, HGTV and Travel Channel would stop in several cities to make pitches to ad buyers…

In a conference call with Wall Street analysts, Discovery CEO David Zaslav underscored the company’s commitment to unscripted TV programming, which he described as more profitable and viable than the “commodified” scripted realm. Scripted programming, a sector saturated with more than 500 shows, is “a high-stakes game…

Discovery Communications reported modest gains in the fourth quarter, with revenue up 11% and profits up 7% at U.S. networks, and also said the U.S. Department of Justice has approved its pending acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive. In the quarter, total revenue of $1,864 million rose 11% compared to the prior…

EXCLUSIVE: After bringing Cash Cab back to the cable TV airwaves, Discovery and Group Nine Media, the social video powerhouse it invested $100 million in last year, are rolling out digital companion series Cash Lift. The new show, which is set in a hotel elevator instead of a taxi, will roll out on the Discovery Go…

Discovery Communications has paid $70 million to Oprah Winfrey's Harpo, Inc. to acquire an additional 24.5% stake in the companies’ joint venture, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. With the transaction, Discovery has increased its ownership stake in OWN to more than 70%. With the deal, Winfrey is cashing in on her…

Philo, a general entertainment, skinny-bundle service with a track record on college campuses, is launching nationally today with a TV option designed for viewers fed up with bearing the escalating cost of sports rights fees. While it won’t deliver viewers their football fix, Philo has programming deals and $25…

Animal Planet has become the first Discovery-owned channel to be managed globally with Discovery UK boss Susanna Dinnage handed control of the network. Dinnage, who is currently President of Discovery UK and Ireland as well as Chief Content Officer for Discovery Networks International, has been appointed Global…

Social video brand NowThis and the National Hockey League are launching Home Team: The Las Vegas Golden Knights, a Facebook Watch series that tracks the debut of the Vegas NHL franchise and its response to the Oct. 1 mass shooting at a country music festival. (See trailer below.) Co-produced by NHL Original…

Discovery Communications President and CEO David Zaslav was interviewed this afternoon by friend and Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer in honor of Zaslav's Mipcom Personality of the Year distinction. Zaslav quipped, “Now if I have an argument with my wife Pam, I can say, 'Well, I was personality of the year…” In a…

The Irwin family — Terri, Bindi and Robert — is back in business with Discovery Communications. President and CEO David Zaslav said at Mipcom today that the family will return to Animal Planet which will work with the Irwins to develop and produce new projects that will air across the network's platforms. The Irwin…