-- Hasbro and Discovery Partnership Focused on Continuing Successful
Creation of Entertaining and Award-Winning Content for Kids and Families
--
-- Discovery Communications and Kids Television Veteran Tom Cosgrove
Named GM of Discovery Family Channel Under the Leadership of Group
President Henry Schleiff --
SILVER SPRING, Md. & PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Discovery
Communications (NASDAQ:DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) and Hasbro,
Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) today announced The Hub Network will become
Discovery Family Channel effective October 13, 2014. The network will
broaden its programming focus to serve families in primetime and
continue to showcase Hasbro Studios award-winning children's content in
daytime.
During the daytime, Discovery Family Channel will offer a robust line up
of brand new Hasbro Studios' series as well as beloved library
programming, including MY LITTLE PONY, LITTLEST PET SHOP and
TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS, while during primetime, the network will serve
a growing family audience that began to develop under The Hub Network.
Primetime programming will draw from Discovery's three decades of
leadership in creating the highest-quality, real-world content that
appeals to the entire family in the Natural History, Adventure, Animals
and Science genres. Initial series will include SUPERHUMAN, TIME WARP,
FLYING WILD ALASKA, AFRICA and EXTREME ENGINEERING: BIGGEST REVEALS.
"The next chapter of our collaboration will harness the incredible
content strengths of both Discovery and Hasbro to program Discovery
Family Channel with highly-rated award-winning storytelling around
Hasbro's brands and Discovery's most popular non-fiction shows that
appeal to both children and families alike," said Hasbro President & CEO
Brian Goldner. "Discovery Communications has a nearly 30-year track
record of building television brands that create maximum value for
advertisers and distributors through their world-class raft of
programming and we look forward to evolving this network together."
Under the executive management of Group President Henry Schleiff, Tom
Cosgrove will assume the role of general manager of Discovery Family
Channel and will manage all network operations and programming, working
closely with the Hasbro Studios team as the new channel will prominently
feature Hasbro Studios-produced content in daytime. Schleiff has
overseen the successful turnaround and growth of several networks within
the Discovery portfolio. Previously, Cosgrove served as executive vice
president and chief operating officer of Discovery Channel and Science
Channel and has held senior leadership positions at ABC Family, Fox
Family, Fox Kids and TV Guide Channel prior to his time at Discovery.
Most recently, he led 3net and 3net Studios.
"Hasbro is a world-class company with franchises and characters that
appeal to kids and families around the world. They have been terrific
partners over the past several years as we developed our kids television
audience in the U.S., and we look forward to a continued strong
collaboration as we evolve to the Discovery Family Channel together,"
said Discovery Communications President & CEO, David Zaslav. "Henry's
proficiency in developing and growing strong brands combined with Tom's
experience on Discovery's flagship brand and deep background in family
programming make for a perfect leadership team to drive the network
toward future growth."
The repositioning to Discovery Family Channel builds upon Discovery's
ongoing strategy to maximize its portfolio of channels to satisfy
viewers and drive value for distributors and advertisers, while working
alongside quality content partners to create long-term value. The Hub
Network has grown from nearly 56 million homes in 2010 to approximately
70 million U.S. homes today. Since launch, the strong performance of
Hasbro children's content helped lift the network's total day P2-11
delivery by +89% and for the past three years, The Hub Network has
consistently been the most co-viewed children's cable network among kids
2-11 watching with adults 18-49--a trend the partners plan to continue
with Discovery Family.
"Brian and I want to thank the entire team at The Hub Network for their
passion and dedication in building this brand over the past five years,"
added Zaslav. "They are a fantastic group of executives, guided by a
tremendously creative and inspiring leader in Margaret Loesch. We are
grateful for their work in creating a channel of which Discovery and
Hasbro have been incredibly proud."
Discovery Family Channel will continue as a joint venture of Discovery
Communications and Hasbro, with Discovery Communications taking a 60%
ownership position in the new channel and Hasbro's stake decreasing to
40%. The network will be consolidated and managed under the Discovery
portfolio of networks.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1
pay-TV programmer reaching 2.7 billion cumulative subscribers in more
than 220 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying
curiosity, engaging and entertaining viewers with high-quality content
on worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal
Planet, Investigation Discovery and Science, as well as U.S. joint
venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery also controls
Eurosport International, a premier sports entertainment group, including
six pay-TV network brands across Europe and Asia. Discovery also is a
leading provider of educational products and services to schools,
including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through
Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online
portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information,
please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
About Hasbro
Hasbro,
Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) is a branded play company dedicated to fulfilling
the fundamental need for play for children and families through the
creative expression of the Company's world class brand portfolio,
including TRANSFORMERS, MONOPOLY, PLAY-DOH, MY LITTLE PONY, MAGIC: THE
GATHERING, NERF and LITTLEST PET SHOP. From toys and games, to
television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a
comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global
customers with innovative play and entertainment experiences, in a
variety of forms and formats, anytime and anywhere. The Company's Hasbro
Studios is responsible for entertainment brand-driven storytelling
around Hasbro brands across television, film, commercial productions and
short-form. Through the company's deep commitment to corporate social
responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a
safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively
impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has
been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the "World's Most
Ethical Companies" and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility
Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." Learn more at www.hasbro.com.
HAS-IR
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140925005367/en/
Media:
Discovery Communications
Catherine Frymark,
240-662-2934
Catherine_frymark@discovery.com
or
Hasbro
Julie
Duffy, 401-727-5931
Julie.Duffy@hasbro.com
or
Investor
Relations:
Discovery Communications
Jackie Burka,
212-518-5642
Jackie_burka@discovery.com
or
Hasbro
Debbie
Hancock, 401-727-5464
Debbie.Hancock@hasbro.com
Source: Hasbro, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media