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May 29, 2007
Upfronts '07: Discovery Channel
By Shirley Brady
2007 Upfronts — Discovery Channel (part of Discovery Networks upfront)
• Date: 4/5/07 in New York
• Highlights:
Discovery Channel president and General Manager Jane Root told media buyers the network is "bigger and better than ever, with a programming slate that celebrates the kind of real-world entertainment that could only come from Discovery." She pointed to year-over-year first quarter '07 primetime ratings growth of 11% in household ratings and 23% in P2+, with an average audience topping 1.34 million. First quarter was the youngest ever for Discovery, with a median age of 36 largely thanks to hit series Dirty Jobs and Mythbusters. Discovery's Planet Earth series, a co-production with the BBC, this spring became the highest-rated natural history program in cable history.
• 2007/08 Event Series:
10 Ways to Save the Planet - An embodiment of Discovery Communications' corporate $50 million commitment to environmental programming and going green within its own "eco-system," this ambitious multi-part event series aims to get beyond the rhetoric to look at the most effective, impactful ways to address global warming by putting eco-projects to the test.
Koppel on Discovery - The venerable newsman took the stage to talk up upcoming specials in his ongoing series of documentaries including his Koppel on Discovery: Living with Cancer special (since aired) inspired by his longtime producer and friend, Leroy Sievers.
The Net - The story of the Internet and its impact on this generation, told over various episodes by its innovators and early champions behind its meteoric rise.
How To Make A Universe - Slightly irreverent series using real science to imagine how to recreate the cosmos from scratch.
Natural Wonders - Explores the life of some of the planet's most magical spots, including Grand Canyon, the Hawaiin Islands, the Great Barrier Reef and other astounding places.
Discovery Atlas - The gorgeous HD travelogue returns with in-depth trips through South Africa, Mexico, India, Egypt, Russia and France.
Discovery Channel Quest - This initiative (started in 2002) supports the work of scientists and explorers by funding key research in space, exploration, paleontology, geology and archeology. Their work, in turn, gets documented and celebrated in this speries that (in 2007/08) includes Pacific Wreck Abyss, Tut's Gold Mines and Saltwater Crocs.
• New Series:
Josh Bernstein's Adventure - Formerly on the History Channel, Bernstein joins Discovery this fall to host and executive produce this series (and specials) that take his passion for anthropology, archeology and the environment deep into the heart of the world's wonders, from polar ice caps (he joined an arctic expedition of scientists researching global warming the day after Discovery's upfront) to desert plains, the Amazon and the ocean floor.
Last Man Standing - Six young Western athletes compete with remote tribespeople on their own turf, at their own sports and rituals.
Chasing Mummies - Road trip into the world's most ancient cultures, from Peru to Egypt.
• Specials:
Werner Herzog's Antartica - Award-winning filmmaker follows up on Grizzly Man by living with a team of scientists in Antarctica.
Everest 2: No Experience Necessary - Adventurers of varying skill levels attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest with vegeran mountaineer Russell Brice.
Catacombs Under the Vatican - Modern-day technology goes inside the mystery of 2,000 skeletons in Rome's catacomb to investigate what caused their deaths.
NASA's 50th Anniversary - A series of specials are in the works in addition to acquiring In the Shadow of the Moon, winner of this year's Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Discovery is also embarking on the largest preservation project in NASA history, funding the conversion of archival NASA footage to high definition.
Vietnam: A Soldier's Story - Oral history of foot soldiers' raw, personal tales.
• Returning Series:
Deadliest Catch
Dirty Jobs
Man V. Wild
Mythbusters
» Click here for Cable360's 2007 Cable Upfronts Guide
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