NEW YORK – Featuring user-generated content, Discovery Communications today showed off what will be its first broadband channels: Discovery Channel Beyond and Travel Channel Beyond.
Unveiled as a sneak preview to advertisers and media buyers at Discovery’s Upfront sales presentation in New York, the ad-supported services will launch to the public on April 15. Broadband channels for TLC, Animal Planet and Discovery Health Channel will launch in the coming months.
It’s not clear yet if the channels will be viewable in Canada but that seems unlikely, since most U.S. media broadband content like this has a geographic filter so that it’s only available Stateside.
Offering original and exclusive short-form programs, as well as user- generated documentaries, Discovery Channel Beyond and Travel Channel Beyond are the first of Discovery’s U.S. channels to be distributed entirely over broadband, 24-hours a day. Both will be available at www.discovery.com.
"Discovery is seizing the opportunity to enrich the multiplatform media experiences of people who love and rely on our content and channels," said Don Baer, senior executive vice-president for strategy and development, Discovery Communications.
Harnessing the quality of the company’s linear TV channels and providing a new content-laden platform to reach Discovery’s passionate viewers, Discovery Channel Beyond and Travel Channel Beyond will feature hundreds of exclusive pieces of content.
Discovery Channel Beyond launches with video focusing on its core genres of exploration, science and natural history. Travel Channel Beyond will offer informative and compelling content based on popular global destinations and vacation ideas, including a special feature on 5 Takes, the innovative programming franchise that lets viewers craft the itinerary of five travel journalists and their journey around the world.
At launch, the broadband channels’ features will include:
* Content extensions for Discovery Networks’ most popular shows, such as Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch and Dirty Jobs, and Travel Channel’s Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and 5 Takes.
* Behind-the-scenes and making-of footage, bloopers, outtakes, talent vlogs and the company’s first "webisodes."
* "MyDocs" — the company’s new user-generated content showcase will allow viewers to do everything from submit and vote on the casting applications for 5 Takes travel journalists, to create their own short documentary films to be uploaded and displayed on the broadband channel.
Focused on providing consumers with an engaging content and user experience, Discovery will add new features in the coming months, including the following:
* An ongoing user-generated pilot competition — visitors will submit a pilot show and the winner will produce a web-based series on Discovery Channel Beyond and Travel Channel Beyond, with support from Discovery producers.
* Discovery News — a daily news webcast featuring stories on science, extreme weather and the environment, among other topics presented from Discovery’s unique vantage point.
The announcement is part of an overall set of multiplatform business initiatives unveiled today at Discovery’s Upfront sales presentation in New York.
In addition to Discovery’s broadband channels, the company is making its video content available on Google Earth, Google’s satellite image-based mapping product, and will launch Discovery’s first 24/7 mobile channel, Discovery Mobile.
