A new Discovery: twin syndication deal
Debmar-Mercury has snapped up domestic syndication rights to two of Discovery Communications' most popular series -- Deadliest Catch and American Chopper -- marking Discovery's first deal in syndication.
Debmar-Mercury, which last week announced a deal for a new syndicated game show version of Trivial Pursuit with Hasbro for fall 2008, is planning to make Chopper available to broadcast stations for weekend runs starting in fall 2008, while Catch will become available a year later. Both of the unscripted shows are being offered on a barter basis, with a 7/7 split. Discovery is handling ad sales.
Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein said the deal came about after the pair were approached by Joel Berman, who is overseeing syndication for Discovery Communications.
"He asked us about the possibility of taking out 'Chopper, ' and we said it would be better if we had both shows," Marcus said. "One of the great things about Discovery is that their programming is so good, so high-quality and fantastic for stations."...
Debmar-Mercury, which last week announced a deal for a new syndicated game show version of Trivial Pursuit with Hasbro for fall 2008, is planning to make Chopper available to broadcast stations for weekend runs starting in fall 2008, while Catch will become available a year later. Both of the unscripted shows are being offered on a barter basis, with a 7/7 split. Discovery is handling ad sales.
Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein said the deal came about after the pair were approached by Joel Berman, who is overseeing syndication for Discovery Communications.
"He asked us about the possibility of taking out 'Chopper, ' and we said it would be better if we had both shows," Marcus said. "One of the great things about Discovery is that their programming is so good, so high-quality and fantastic for stations."...
- 10/29/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Discovery restructures; five executives exit
Last week at a Discovery Communications sales conference in Florida, Billy Campbell tried something different to break up the usual lineup of pitches and programming reels. He arranged for a survivor from the 1972 plane crash in the Andes Mountains to recount his ordeal for the assembled employees. Then Campbell took to the stage and spoke movingly of the importance of perseverance amid hardships, a message those in attendance understood as applying to pending changes at Discovery.
Now Campbell might be heeding his own advice. He was ousted Monday from his post as president of Discovery Networks U.S. amid a big shake-up at the company, along with four other senior executives.
The changes were unveiled by Discovery's new president and CEO, David Zaslav, who was recruited this year by chairman John Hendricks from NBC Universal to replace longtime CEO Judith McHale. Zaslav is eliminating Campbell's position, which had overseen all domestic programming assets, and also restructuring the company into five overarching brand groups: Discovery Channel, TLC, Discovery Travel Media, Animal Planet Media/Discovery Kids Media and Discovery Health Media Enterprises.
Also departing Discovery in the reshuffle are David Abraham, president and GM of TLC; Maureen Smith, GM of Animal Planet; Dawn McCall, president of Discovery's international holdings; and Pandit Wright, senior executive vp human resources.
In addition, broader layoffs are expected at Discovery. In an interview, Zaslav declined comment on the possibility but said in response to a question about job cuts: "If we're going to invest more in new media and business, we have to invest less in infrastructure. We're going to be looking very hard at our traditional cost basis."
But Discovery also is adding new blood as a result of the shake-up. Among the execs filling a slew of new positions at the channel are Joel Berman, former president of CBS Paramount Worldwide Television, and Tom Wolzien, a veteran media analyst formerly of Sanford C. Bernstein. Both are coming on as consultants to the company.
That a company with Discovery's stability is being socked by such a dramatic change is a testament to the growing pains many companies are enduring in the face of the advent of digital media. Although two of Discovery's key assets, Discovery Channel and TLC, looked wobbly last year as their ad revenue waned, both networks were considered back on track alongside a relatively strong and extensive roster of brands.
The shake-up was not entirely unexpected, sources said. Discovery staffers have been bracing for cuts since Zaslav's former boss at NBC Uni, AOL's Randy Falco, instituted broad changes and job reductions at AOL just months after he departed the peacock as well for the Time Warner division. Falco left NBC Uni one week before Zaslav, who was presumed to be carrying out the same mandate for systemic overhaul that his close colleague was brought in to do at AOL.
Now Campbell might be heeding his own advice. He was ousted Monday from his post as president of Discovery Networks U.S. amid a big shake-up at the company, along with four other senior executives.
The changes were unveiled by Discovery's new president and CEO, David Zaslav, who was recruited this year by chairman John Hendricks from NBC Universal to replace longtime CEO Judith McHale. Zaslav is eliminating Campbell's position, which had overseen all domestic programming assets, and also restructuring the company into five overarching brand groups: Discovery Channel, TLC, Discovery Travel Media, Animal Planet Media/Discovery Kids Media and Discovery Health Media Enterprises.
Also departing Discovery in the reshuffle are David Abraham, president and GM of TLC; Maureen Smith, GM of Animal Planet; Dawn McCall, president of Discovery's international holdings; and Pandit Wright, senior executive vp human resources.
In addition, broader layoffs are expected at Discovery. In an interview, Zaslav declined comment on the possibility but said in response to a question about job cuts: "If we're going to invest more in new media and business, we have to invest less in infrastructure. We're going to be looking very hard at our traditional cost basis."
But Discovery also is adding new blood as a result of the shake-up. Among the execs filling a slew of new positions at the channel are Joel Berman, former president of CBS Paramount Worldwide Television, and Tom Wolzien, a veteran media analyst formerly of Sanford C. Bernstein. Both are coming on as consultants to the company.
That a company with Discovery's stability is being socked by such a dramatic change is a testament to the growing pains many companies are enduring in the face of the advent of digital media. Although two of Discovery's key assets, Discovery Channel and TLC, looked wobbly last year as their ad revenue waned, both networks were considered back on track alongside a relatively strong and extensive roster of brands.
The shake-up was not entirely unexpected, sources said. Discovery staffers have been bracing for cuts since Zaslav's former boss at NBC Uni, AOL's Randy Falco, instituted broad changes and job reductions at AOL just months after he departed the peacock as well for the Time Warner division. Falco left NBC Uni one week before Zaslav, who was presumed to be carrying out the same mandate for systemic overhaul that his close colleague was brought in to do at AOL.
- 2/5/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Wood doubles up at KW, Par TV
Terry Wood has been promoted to president of creative affairs and development at King World Prods. and Paramount Domestic Television, expanding her responsibilities to oversee development and production of new programming for Viacom's syndication divisions. In the newly created position, Wood will report to Roger King, CEO of CBS Enterprises and King World Prods., and Joel Berman, president of Paramount Worldwide Television Distribution. In her current programming responsibilities at Paramount, she'll continue reporting to Greg Meidel, president of programming at the distributor. According to Paramount, Wood's new position is the first to bridge the gap creatively between the sister companies.
- 1/20/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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