Discovery Preps for Russian Expansion

MOSCOW: David Zaslav, president and CEO of Discovery Communications, was in Moscow today to announce plans for the company’s Russian expansion, which include the debut of TLC in 2011, the rollout of a science education block on Discovery Channel and increased investment in local content.

“Russia is one of the most dynamic markets in the world and Discovery Communications is focused on increasing a number of high quality services from our brand portfolio in the market,” said Zaslav. “Today’s commitment is to ensure Russian audiences have access to entertaining and educational programming across a number of Discovery’s properties and platforms.”

TLC launches in Russia in January, offering lifestyle, reality and inspirational entertainment programs from around the world. Programming for TLC will also be supplied by Russian production companies making local shows in Russia, such as Like Mother, Like Daughter from Mastiff.

Other local content initiatives include former world heavyweight champion boxer, Nikolai Valuev, voicing signature franchises shows in 2011; Ivan Zatevakhin, one of Russia’s most renowned natural historians and TV presenters, voicing the channel’s Extreme Fishing season in early 2011; and comedy duo Garik Harlamov and Timur Batrutdinov, voicing the new series Dual Survival. Plus, Russian conservationist Nikolay Drozdov will be voicing Wildest Africa on Animal Planet in 2011.

Next year also sees the introduction of a commercial-free science education block, called Crazy Break, on Discovery Channel. It will air weekdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and launches with a series of short films from the makers of the popular Discovery Channel science series Mythbusters.

“The addition of more local productions and talent, coupled with science education programming, and the launch of TLC all represent just the beginning of an expanded commitment in Russia,” Zaslav added. "We’re focused on investing in Russia and we’ll be using our new Moscow hub to ensure we’re developing new services and the best content for our Russian audience.”