Discovery to Roll Out Planet Green Programming Block in Asia

HONG KONG/SINGAPORE, November 1: Discovery Networks Asia
will launch the eco-friendly Planet Green programming
block on its flagship network, Discovery Channel, from March 2008, reaching 115
million households in 24 markets.

The Planet Green
block will launch in Asia with 50 hours of programming, including
Asian-relevant stories produced out of the region as well as global specials
from Discovery Communications’ $50-million investment in original,
environmental content. The block will kick off with a new six-part series, Fearless
Planet, which features CGI elements and
explores the natural formations dotting the earth, including the Grand Canyon,
the Hawaiian Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. Other highlights in the Planet
Green programming block include Ways
to Save the Planet, which aims to find
solutions to the planet’s environmental threats; the 13-part series Eco-Town, executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and his
production arm Appian Way; the one-hour film The Future Makers, following some of the people in business and
technology who are embracing changes on a large scale; and Ecopolis, which explores a virtual city to represent the
future of urban living.

The block will also be supported by localized online
websites, which will provide a forum for people to find out ways they can make
a difference environmentally.

Planet Green is
Discovery Communications’ global, cross-company initiative dedicated to
celebration and preservation of the planet. Through this initiative, the company
will also roll out the first 24-hour green television network in the U.S. in
2008. Discovery Networks Asia has already launched several environmental
initiatives, including working with the Singapore Recycling Centre for the past
eight years. Discovery has continued its commitment by lessening the
environmental impact of its regional headquarters in Singapore through energy
efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and working with Carbonfund.org to
purchase supplementary offsets starting this year. Discovery plans to roll out
this program in all its Asia-Pacific offices—Sydney, Taipei, Beijing,
Tokyo and Hong Kong—in 2008.

Additionally, Discovery will be working with partners in
Asia, including the nonprofit organization Plant A Tree Today (PATT). PATT is
assisting Discovery at its Planet Green launch event in Hong Kong to go carbon
neutral by helping to offset the carbon footprint of the event, including
guests’ flights and transportation.

Tom Keaveny, the executive VP and managing director for
Discovery Networks Asia, said: “Environmental issues are at the forefront of
consumer consciousness now throughout the Asia-Pacific region, and Discovery is
positioned to help lead this effort by providing quality content that educates,
enables and entertains. Planet Green
will become the media brand synonymous with environmental education and
awareness in this region.”

—By Kristin Brzoznowski