or


[04/30/09 - 11:28 AM]
Hasbro and Discovery Communications Announce Joint Venture to Create Television Network Dedicated to High-Quality Children's and Family Entertainment and Educational Content
New programming will be based on brands such as ROMPER ROOM, TRIVIAL PURSUIT, SCRABBLE, CRANIUM, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, GAME OF LIFE, TONKA and TRANSFORMERS, among many others.

[via press release from Discovery]

Hasbro and Discovery Communications Announce Joint Venture to Create Television Network Dedicated to High-Quality Children's and Family Entertainment and Educational Content

-- Multi-Platform Initiative Planned to Premiere in Late 2010; TV Network to Reach Approximately 60 Million Nielsen Households in the U.S. Served by Discovery Kids Channel --

April 30, 2009

(Pawtucket, R.I. and Silver Spring, Md.) PAWTUCKET, R.I., and SILVER SPRING, Md. � Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) and Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) today announced an agreement to form a 50/50 joint venture, including a television network and website, dedicated to high-quality children�s and family entertainment and educational programming built around some of the most well-known and beloved brands in the world. As part of the transaction, the joint venture also will receive a minority interest in the U.S. version of Hasbro.com.

Both the network and the venture�s online component will feature content from Hasbro�s rich portfolio of entertainment and educational properties built over the past 90 years, including original programming for animation, game shows, and live-action series and specials. New programming will be based on brands such as ROMPER ROOM, TRIVIAL PURSUIT, SCRABBLE, CRANIUM, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, GAME OF LIFE, TONKA and TRANSFORMERS, among many others. The TV network and online presence also will include content from Discovery�s extensive library of award-winning children�s educational programming, such as BINDI THE JUNGLE GIRL, ENDURANCE, TUTENSTEIN, HI-5, FLIGHT 29 DOWN and PEEP AND THE BIG WIDE WORLD, as well as programming from third-party producers.

"Hasbro continues to evolve as a company with an unwavering vision of reimagining the potential of our incredible portfolio of brands well beyond traditional toys and games," said Brian Goldner, Hasbro�s President and CEO. "Today, consumers are embracing our powerful brands through unique and immersive entertainment and educational experiences in a number of areas, including movies and new digital platforms.

"We believe the time is right for Hasbro to take the next step into television through our partnership with Discovery Communications," continued Goldner. "David Zaslav and his talented team have the experience, track record and ambition necessary to make this joint venture a long-term success as we build this network. We look forward to creating fun, stimulating and educational content that will allow us to deliver all-new brand experiences to the young and �young at heart� � anywhere and anytime they want."

"This joint venture reinforces Discovery�s strategy to develop strong brands, maximize the potential of our extensive distribution in the U.S. and work with the highest quality content partners to create long-term value," said David Zaslav, President and CEO of Discovery Communications. "Brian Goldner and the dynamic management team at Hasbro have a long track record of developing well-respected quality brands that entertain and encourage creative play. The combined assets of both partners provide a compelling platform for building a trusted children�s destination that engages and enlightens a thirsty and growing audience."

At the closing of the transaction, Hasbro will purchase a 50% stake in the venture, which will hold the assets related to Discovery Kids Network in the U.S., for which Discovery Communications will receive $300 million. The joint venture�s rebranded network is expected to debut in late 2010 reaching approximately 60 million Nielsen households in the U.S. with programming geared to boys and girls 14 years of age and under. The joint venture also will participate in merchandising opportunities associated with on-air content. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions including satisfaction of all requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

Each company will have equal representation on a board of directors that will oversee a management team responsible for programming, scheduling and operations. The search for a President and General Manager for the network will begin immediately. Discovery Communications will handle advertising sales services, distribution, origination and other operational requirements for the proposed venture, while Hasbro will provide studio-produced programming.

Hasbro will also make a separate investment to establish a creative team that will allow Hasbro to create and produce the consumer-driven content children and families have come to expect from Hasbro�s unmatched brands. Creative work will start in the next few months beginning with early stage development for properties including ROMPER ROOM, TONKA, G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS and MY LITTLE PONY. The creative team will have the capability to produce animated, live-action, and game show programming as well as content designed for digital and mobile extensions.

Programming on the network will be designed to entertain and educate, echoing the popularity and appeal of Hasbro�s portfolio of brands and Discovery�s long-standing commitment to life-long learning with the goal of making our emerging networks more valuable to affiliates and more compelling for viewers. In the tradition of Discovery Kids, this will include a number of daily hours voluntarily devoted to educational/informative content.

The network will continue to operate as Discovery Kids until the debut of the to-be-named channel and new programming slate. Discovery Communications will retain the Discovery Kids brand for, among other things, its international networks and its licensing and merchandising business.

Launched in 1996, Discovery Kids Channel has won multiple Daytime Emmys and Parents� Choice Awards for its series and specials. Discovery Kids programming helps children satisfy their curiosity about a full range of science, adventure, exploration and natural history topics through documentaries, reality shows, scripted dramas and animated stories.

Hasbro was advised by The William Morris Agency (WMA), John Fogelman of WMA and Bank of America/Merrill Lynch & Co. in connection with this transaction.

Discovery was advised by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.

About Hasbro

Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children�s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. (C) 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world�s number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

Certain statements contained in this press release, including statements related to the future expectations and timing for the rebranding of the network, the types of content which the parties currently plan to create and distribute via the network, and expectations for the performance of the rebranded network, constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and the actual actions or results may differ from these current expectations. Factors which might cause a difference between actual and expected events include: (i) greater than expected costs or unexpected delays associated with the steps necessary to rebrand the network, (ii) greater than expected costs or unexpected delays related to Hasbro�s establishment and development of the team and infrastructure to create and produce content for the network, (iii) changes in plans with respect to the future content to be created for the network or the timing for its development, or with respect to the branding and marketing for the network, (iv) consumer interest in and acceptance of the network and its programming, or in entertainment-related product associated with the network, (v) the financial performance of the network and other factors which impact the resources the network has available and/or determines to spend on programming, advertising and marketing, (vi) the willingness and ability of Hasbro and Discovery to assist the network in meeting any financial shortfalls it may experience or to otherwise support the network, (vii) increased costs associated with, or delays in the production of, planned content for the network, (viii) other factors which may lead to changes in the branding of the network and/or the content to be developed for the network, as well as (ix) other factors which are discussed in Hasbro�s and Discovery�s public announcements and SEC filings. Neither party undertakes any obligation to update these forward-looking statements for events occurring after the date of this press release.





  [april 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[12/17/24 - 03:31 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in All Key Demos for the Week of Dec. 9 Versus CBS' "After Midnight" and NBC's "Late Night With Seth Meyers"
"Nightline" posted double-digit gains week to week across the board: Total Viewers (+16% - 840,000 vs. 725,000), Adults 25-54 (+76% - 215,000 vs. 122,000) and Adults 18-49 (+90% - 129,000 vs. 68,000).

[12/17/24 - 03:30 PM]
ABC News Studios Announces "Manhunt: Luigi Mangione and the CEO Murder - A Special Edition of 20/20," Airing Dec. 19 at 10:01 P.M. EST on ABC
The one-hour film takes a deep dive into a story that riveted the nation, providing a minute-by-minute investigation of the cold-blooded execution of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the shocking social media backlash that turned the alleged murderer into a folk hero for some.

[12/17/24 - 12:20 PM]
BET Announces Premiere of "BET Year in Black 2024," Presented by Ford - An Entertaining Recap of the Year's Most Unforgettable Moments in Black Culture
The special will premiere on Sunday, December 29 at 7 PM ET/PT, with an encore airing on Monday, December 30 at 10 PM ET/PT on BET and BET HER.

[12/17/24 - 12:02 PM]
Apple's Acclaimed Hit Comedy "Bad Monkey" Lands Season Two Renewal
"Since 'Bad Monkey' first made its debut on Apple TV+, this highly entertaining series became an instant fan favorite," said Matt Cherniss, head of programming for Apple TV+.

[12/17/24 - 12:00 PM]
Netflix Top 10 Week of Dec. 15: "Carry-On" Lifts Off and "Black Doves" Fly High in Netflix's Top 10 This Week
Jamie Foxx's stand-up special "What Had Happened Was..." hit No. 2 (8.2 million views), and "Dead to Me" creator Liz Feldman's new murder mystery "No Good Deed" landed at No. 3 (6 million views).

[12/17/24 - 11:12 AM]
"Abbott Elementary" Holiday Special Delivers Glad Tidings - Rising +129% in Total Viewers and +410% in Adults 18-49 over Initial Live+Same Day Audience
After seven days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms, the "Abbott Elementary" holiday special "Winter Show" delivered holiday cheer, jumping to 6.66 million Total Viewers and 2.14 rating in Adults 18-49.

[12/17/24 - 11:01 AM]
Two New Levels Unlocked - Largest Debut for a New Animated Series and a Season 2 of "Secret Level"!
Prime Video confirmed the news on social media this morning.

[12/17/24 - 10:01 AM]
Video: New Netflix Featurette Uncovers the Making of "American Primeval"
Shot on location in New Mexico, the limited series is a fictionalized dramatization and examination of the violent collision of culture, religion, and community as men and women fight and die to keep or claim the lands that make up the brutal frontier of 1857.

[12/17/24 - 10:01 AM]
"IHeartradio Jingle Ball 2024" Broadcast Lineup Announced
Hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Elvis Duran, the special features this year's biggest artists, including Katy Perry, twenty one pilots, Tate McRae, Meghan Trainor, Teddy Swims, T-Pain, Benson Boone, Gracie Abrams, Madison Beer, Kane Brown, Paris Hilton, The Kid LAROI, Shaboozey and NCT Dream.

[12/17/24 - 09:00 AM]
Video: "Henry Danger The Movie" - Official Trailer - Paramount+
After meeting Kid Danger superfan Missy Martin and being pulled into a portal that opens alternate realities, Henry and his inexperienced new sidekick must find their way back to Dystopia... or be trapped forever.

[12/17/24 - 08:50 AM]
Video: Watch the Trailer for "Ghosts'" Newest Hour-Long "Ghostsmas" Special, Airing Thursday, Dec. 19 on CBS
In the one-hour special, a leaky water heater mishap threatens to ruin holiday plans as Sam and Jay prepare to host Jay's hard-to-please dad, Mahesh (Bernard White), difficult-to-impress mom, Champa (Sakina Jaffrey), and sister Bela (Punam Patel).

[12/17/24 - 08:09 AM]
Max Celebrates the Return of the HBO Original Series "The White Lotus" with an Exclusive Wellness Retreat and Brand Partnerships
Efforts kick off on Wednesday, February 5, with The White Lotus at Four Seasons, Presented by American Express - an exclusive luxury wellness retreat that captures the essence of this upcoming season's hotel and spa in Thailand.

[12/17/24 - 08:05 AM]
TBS Sets Premiere Date for Re-Imagined Reality Hoax "The Joe Schmo Show" for Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 9PM ET/PT
Hosted by Cat Deeley, the show-within-a show takes aim at the absurdity of reality TV by making Ben, an electrician from Baltimore, believe he is competing for a chance to win $100,000 on a popular game show when he is, in fact, surrounded by a cast of highly skilled improv comedians.

[12/17/24 - 08:02 AM]
Netflix Announces Knockout New Sports Series on Mike Tyson
Known as the youngest heavyweight champion in history (at the age of 20 in 1986), Tyson's legacy extends far beyond the ropes of the boxing ring, cementing him as one of the most compelling and polarizing figures of our time.

[12/17/24 - 08:01 AM]
Paramount Adds "The Big Bang Theory" to Nick at Nite and MTV Lineups
Both brands will kick off their debut with marathon stunts tailored to their audiences.