IMAX & Discovery Tie-Up for Original Doc Content

NEW YORK: IMAX has entered into a distribution and marketing partnership with Discovery Communications regarding original documentary content.

Under the pact, Discovery Channel receives 18 months of exclusive paid global TV rights for up to ten IMAX documentary films to be released through the IMAX Original Film Fund, following the titles’ theatrical release across the IMAX institutional theater network. Discovery Channel will air IMAX documentaries worldwide following their theatrical IMAX release, and consult on development, production and marketing.

The alliance marks IMAX’s first television distribution agreement for original content.

IMAX CEO Richard L Gelfond said: “As content is created and consumed across multiple platforms we continue to innovate and look for new ways to maximize the reach of our original films. We are delighted to partner with Discovery to help us achieve this goal. From content creation and capture to distribution and presentation, IMAX is a diversified company involved in every aspect of the entertainment ecosystem. As today’s agreement shows, we will continue to invest in all parts of our business to drive long-term, sustainable growth and bring IMAX to more and more consumers worldwide.”

“Discovery is dedicated to nourishing our global audiences with the most compelling and highest-quality content on the planet,” added David Zaslav, the president and CEO of Discovery Communications. “IMAX is a terrific company and partner, and we are proud to come together to ensure these important documentary films are given, through Discovery’s unmatched global distribution platform, the expanded viewership they deserve.”

“Both IMAX and Discovery have reinvested in our legacy business of producing family-focused entertainment—a responsibility that we both hold near and dear to our hearts,” commented Greg Foster, the senior executive VP of IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. “This partnership is the coming together of two pioneering brands in the documentary space to deliver a new breed of IMAX original content to billions of viewers across Discovery’s global networks following the initial exclusive IMAX theatrical release.”

Rich Ross, the group president of Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Science Channel, added: “This partnership signifies the importance that Discovery is placing on documentary filmmaking that spurs action. Working with IMAX, we can provide audiences multiple global platforms to experience these important stories. We are thrilled to be in business with IMAX to bring socially important films to the world.”