Sony Corporation

Posted on October 16, 2016 by crtraver

Charlotte Traver, Brendan Weaver, David Sorokanich

Sony Entertainment Logo [15]

Company

Located in New York, NY, Sony Corporation of America is the US headquarters of Sony Corporation, which is based in Tokyo, Japan. Sony is involved in multiple businesses including electronics and mobile, film and television, music, gaming, digital services, and others. Sony employs about 125, 300 people and recorded annual sales of $71.7 billion of the fiscal year ending in March 2016.

Background

Sony Electronics is a leading provider of audio/video electronics and products. Sony Mobile is also a leading company in providing video, game, audio and communications technology products. Sony Pictures Entertainment is a huge innovator in major motion picture production and produces major blockbusters regularly. Sony Music Entertainment is one of the most well-known global recorded music companies and features artists famous on both a local and international scale. Sony/ATV Music Publishing works alongside Sony Music Entertainment and is the world’s leading music publisher. Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC is known for the PlayStation, a popular gaming console owned by millions of Americans. Other businesses that may not be as well known include Sony DADC, Sony Biotechnology Inc., Micronics, Inc., and Sony Card/Sony Rewards. [7]

Sony Pictures Executives

CEO of Sony Entertainment where he oversees the Sony’s global enterprise including Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing

Michael Lynton: CEO of Sony Entertainment where he oversees the Sony’s global enterprise including Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing [18]

Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for Sony Pictures Entertainment he oversees the company’s financial affairs and development

Philip Rowley: Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for Sony Pictures Entertainment he oversees the company’s financial affairs and development [18]

Executive Vice President & Chief Communications Officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment responsible for the distribution and implementation of Sony Pictures Entertainment communications

Robert Lawson: Executive Vice President & Chief Communications Officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment responsible for the distribution and implementation of Sony Pictures Entertainment communications [18]

Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Pictures Group in which he oversees the production and distribution of all Sony films

Tom Rothman: Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Pictures Group in which he oversees the production and distribution of all Sony films [18]

Senior Executive Vice President & General Counsel for Sony Pictures Entertainment and is the highest ranking legal consultant for Sony and is head of its law department

Leah Weil: Senior Executive Vice President & General Counsel for Sony Pictures Entertainment and is the highest ranking legal consultant for Sony and is head of its law department [18]

Sony Entertainment Financials

Screenshot of MarketWatch Report on Sony Corp. Stocks on Nov. 29, 2016 [13]

Sony Entertainment’s 2016 Q2 Earnings, which were finalized on September 30, 2016, show a 10.8% decrease in Sales and Operating Revenue compared to 2015’s Q2. Q2 is also showing a 45.7% decrease in Operating Income, a 40.5% decrease in Income before Income Taxes, and a 4.8% decrease in Sony Entertainment net income attributed to stockholders. These are all in comparison to the success Sony Entertainment showed in Q2 of 2015. [12] Furthermore, as of November 29, 2016, Sony Entertainment stock prices are at $29.49 per share. This is much lower in comparison to the past three months in which shares were at a high of $34.17. [13]

Sony Launches China Writers Initiative

On November 1, 2016, Sony Pictures Entertainment launched a China Writers Initiative, which will allow emerging and well-known writers from China access to the studios. Writers will be able to work with Hollywood film and television executives and screenwriters to collaborate on ideas for both Hollywood and Hollywood Chinese productions. The program was developed with Sony Pictures China and is intended to be a mutually educational program for both countries involved. Sony Pictures will select four writers at a time to travel to Los Angeles and work at the Sony Pictures Studios. A finalist will then be selected and able to produce their chosen project. [6]

Sony Dives into Virtual Reality

Sony Interactive Entertainment of America has been on the forefront of virtual reality technology and has just recently made VR accessible for all. With the release of the PlayStation VR in October 2016, virtual reality is available for all gamers who wish to take gaming to a new level. Virtual reality takes players into an immersive atmosphere never experienced before, one in which players are in the game themselves and experience something entirely different from traditional gaming. The release of the PlayStation VR included 30 games, but Sony Interactive Entertainment predicts that the PlayStation VR will have 50 games by the end of the year. President Shawn Layden of Sony Interactive Entertainment commented that virtual reality brings a “new medium into the homes of PS4 fans”. Sony Interactive Entertainment hopes that virtual reality will soon enter the homes of many average Americans, as more and more interactive experiences independent of gaming are released. A variety of VR experiences such as Hulu, Allumette, Invasion! and others will soon offer their own interactive experiences. [9]

[11]

Sony’s PlayStation VR outsold other virtual reality headsets released in 2016, including the HTC Vive and Facebook’s Oculus Rift. The PlayStation VR is predicted to outsell both the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift by more than 295,000 headsets, which is largely due to price. The PlayStation VR is a simple add on to the PlayStation 4, so users find this headset to be a better choice since many already own the console. However, SuperData Research’s director of research Stephanie Llamas seems to think that without a push in marketing from Sony, they will forever remain behind their potential.

-Is 2016 The Year Virtual Reality Finally Goes Mainstream? by NPR [14]

New Chairman and CEO of Sony Music

Michael Lynton, CEO of Sony Entertainment, announced that Doug Morris will transition from operational management of Sony Music Entertainment and assume the role of Chairman in April 2017, and Rob Stringer, who was formerly Chairman and CEO of Columbia Records, will become CEO of Sony Music. Over the last six years as CEO, Morris has increased Sony Music’s market share and profitability. This has helped Sony achieve its status as the second largest music company in the world. He has also helped Sony reach its impressive status by initiating partnerships with record labels, extending a joint venture deal with Syco Entertainment, and by supporting the growth and development of Vevo, which he founded with Eric Schmidt in 2009. [4]

Rob Stringer, new CEO of Sony Music [17]

New Bob Dylan releases from Sony Music

A massive 36CD box set of Bob Dylan’s 1966 concert tours of the US, UK, Europe, and Australia was released on November 11 by Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment. The box set, “The 1966 Live Recordings”, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the live performances. The recordings are drawn from three main sources: soundboards, CBS Records mobile recordings, and audience tapes. The majority of the recordings are previously unreleased in any format and are being made available for the first time ever. [10]

Sony Pictures Classics Acquires The Comedian

Sony Pictures Classics has announced that they’ve acquired North American rights to Taylor Hackford’s comedy, THE COMEDIAN, starring Robert De Niro and Danny DeVito. Written by Art Linson, the film centers around an aging comic whose attempts to reinvent himself fail to impress an audience that only wants to know him as a former television character he played. Warner Bros. International will be handling foreign distribution of the film, under its deal with Cinelou.[2]

Sony Pictures Acquires TEN Sports From ZEE

Sony Pictures have entered into agreements to acquire TEN Sports Network from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited for 385 million dollars. The acquisition will add South Asia’s leading sports network to SPN’s portfolio of channels. Ten Sports holds broadcast rights to wrestling, cricket, football, golf, motorsports, and cycling events. SPN comprises Sony Entertainment Television, one of India’s leading Hindi general entertainment television channels.[5]

Sony has acquired TEN Sports Network from Zee Entertainment Enterprises [16]

Sony and Multi-Deal International

In its commitment to broaden its global presence and its support of local language productions, Sony Pictures International Productions has signed a multi-picture development deal with filmmakers Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman. The deal will allow Mexico and LA-based Cisneros and Shuman to write and produce three new films. Cisneros is one of the most successful writers in the Latin American film industry, with successes such as Instructions Not Included and Familia P. Luche. In 2014, Cisneros and Shuman began collaborating, writing the FOX feature comedy “Upgrade.” [3]

Sony Recognized as a Leader in Combating Climate Change

For the second year, Sony has been recognized as one of the highest performing companies on the CDP Japan 500 Climate Change Report 2016. CDP surveyed over 5,500 companies globally to compile their list. Their inclusion in the list recognizes the company’s effort to reduce the energy consumption of its manufactured products, curb greenhouse gas emissions at its operating sites, and accelerate use of renewable energy. Sony is one of 193 companies worldwide to be ranked as an “A” company, a distinction it has achieved for 2 consecutive years. [1]

Actions Sony has taken to combat climate change [19]

Works Cited

Sony Recognized as a Leader in Combating Climate Change in the CDP Japan 500 Climate Change Report 2016 for 2nd Consecutive Year. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
SONY PICTURES CLASSICS ACQUIRES CINELOU’S THE COMEDIAN. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
SONY PICTURES INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS SIGNS MULTI-PICTURE DEVELOPMENT DEAL WITH EDUARDO CISNEROS AND JASON SHUMAN. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
ROB STRINGER PROMOTED TO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
Sony Pictures To Acquire TEN Sports From ZEE. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT MOTION PICTURE GROUP LAUNCHES CHINA WRITERS INITIATIVE. Sony Pictures. Retrieved: November 28, 2016.
Who We Are. Sony.com. Retrieved: November 29, 2016.
Company News. Sony.com. Retrieved: November 27, 2016.
Gilbert, Ben (November 29, 2016). PlayStation is on track to crush Facebook and HTC in the first year of VR sales. Business Insider. Retrieved: November 28, 2016.
Columbia/Legacy Set to Release Bob Dylan: The 1966 Live Recordings, A Monumental Box Set featuring Every Known Recording from the Artist’s Mythic and Controversial 1966 Tour of the US, UK, Europe and Australia. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
PlayStation VR – Games Preview Summer 2016 | PSVR. Youtube.com. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
Sony Corporation 2016 Q2 Report. Retrieved November 26, 2016. https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/IR/library/fr/16q2_sony.pdf
MarketWatch Reports on Sony Corporation Stocks. Retrieved November 29, 2016. http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/sne/profile
NPR on Virtual Reality. Retrieved November 25, 2016. http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2015/12/30/461432244/is-2016-the-year-virtual-reality-finally-goes-mainstream
Sony Entertainment Logo. Retrieved November 27, 2016. https://www.sony.co.uk
Ten Sports Logo. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://www.afaqs.com/news/story/44872_Ten-Sports-unveils-new-network-logo
Rob Stringer Photo. Retrieved November 29, 2016. https://www.sonymusic.com/executives/rob-stringer/
Sony Management Team. Retrieved November 29, 2019. http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/management.html
Sony CRS Reporting. Retrieved November 29, 2016. https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/csr_report/environment/

Zynga

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Rebecca Duke

by REBECCA DUKE

[1] Zynga logo

OVERVIEW

In 2007, Mark Pincus founded Zynga, the first social gaming company. Named after his dog Zinga, the company was created in order to make gaming more accessible and turn it into a more interactive, friendly experience [2]. Zynga has created some of the most successful social games to date, including Words with Friends, FarmVille, and Zynga Poker. Over one billion users have played Zynga games and connected via the company’s franchises.

[3] A sampling of Zynga games

Additionally, in 2009, Pincus formed Zynga.org, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that allows the success of social gaming to give back to those in need by connecting revenues from gamers to other non-profits around the world. One of Zynga.org’s biggest projects was the creation of co.lab, a gaming development technology program that gives underprivileged San Francisco kids the opportunity to learn about game design hands-on.

INDUSTRY

The creation of Zynga spawned the entire social gaming industry, an industry of which Zynga continues to be a leader. According to IBISWorld, the industry has grown rapidly ever since its conception in 2007 [4]. Growth peaked during the 2008 recession, when many companies were downsizing and left unemployed Americans with more leisure time. In recovery from the recession, customers are slowly investing more and more in social games in order to unlock achievements and progress more quickly in the game (for example, while playing FarmVille, a user could pay a few dollars to expedite the growth of their crops and thus move on to bigger and better tasks).

[5] FarmVille 2: Country Escape

Before social gaming, those interested in playing interactive games were required to own some form of external console, such as an Xbox or PlayStation. With Zynga, users can play games and connect with other gamers all across the globe as long as they have an internet connection and an account on a social networking site. The number of broadband connections in households has grown steadily each year, widening the potential market of social gamers. The social network aspect of gaming has introduced new customers that were not previously active gamers, namely females over 40.

KEY EXECUTIVES

[6] Mark Pincus – Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board

[7] Frank Gibeau – Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors Member

Earlier in March, Mark Pincus stepped down as CEO of Zynga and was replaced by Frank Gibeau [8]. Pincus still sits as the Executive Chairman of the Board and oversees the company. Frank Gibeau is a 20-year veteran of Electronic Arts, one of Zynga’s leading competitors, so he is expected to bring positive change and expertise to the company and allow it to progress financially.

FINANCIALS

Zynga is a publicly traded company, listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker ZNGA. The stock price currently sits at 2.48, a relatively high number since averaging 2.15 over the past three months [9]. Zynga stock took a tumble in early and mid-February after the publication of a disappointing fourth quarter and annual report. After bringing in $185 million in revenue, the company’s operating income and net income amounted to losses of $55 million and $51 million, respectively. These numbers were a stark contrast to the third quarter, when Zynga brought in $10 million more in revenue and net income was $3 million. Zynga has two main revenue streams: advertising, namely video and banner ads, and the sale of “virtual goods” from in-game purchases [10].

[11] NASDAQ – ZNGA

One big change for Zynga that will bring in more cash flow is its future sale of real estate. Currently, Zynga operates out of a 670,000 square-foot office in Silicon Valley, a space that is now too large for its 2,300 employees [12]. Downsizing and liquidating their current office space could lead to a $300 million profit, given the astronomical increase in San Francisco properties since 2012.

[13] Zynga Headquarters

CURRENT PROJECTS

In January, Zynga announced a partnership with The Rubicon Project in developing SponsoredPLAY, a new form of native advertising that allows political candidates to take advantage of what mobile ads have to offer [14]. SponsoredPLAY beta ads have seen six times the engagement rate of normal mobile advertisements, a metric that is incredibly important in today’s age of distracted consumers. With these ads, players connect with brands through mini games that incorporate a piece of the brand’s image. Specifically, The Rubicon Project introduces political candidates as the brands, and encourages the candidates to use the technology to engage voters in a fun and educational way. The SponsoredPLAY ads are also linked to Twitter to create a social buzz around the political issues that the user finds compelling. Ads are expected to be finalized and placed in the games later this year, just in time for the presidential election.

[15] SponsoredPLAY Mockup

One of the two new Zynga games that launched on March 31, 2016 was Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Slots. This was the first game of many to be licensed from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, thanks to a multi-year agreement signed in mid-2015 [16]. The partnership allows for a realistic representation of the characters, sounds, and visuals from the original film. Willy Wonka Slots provides the player with nine different slot machines to begin, in addition to a special “High Roller World” with more levels that unlock after the player has earned over 24 million credits. The basic format of the game is similar to other Zynga games, where the user can play completely for free but has many opportunities to progress further with small increments of in-app credit purchases. The game can be downloaded for free on iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon or played on Facebook.

[17] Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Slots

The second game that debuted at the end of March is Crazy Cake Swap, a variation on the wildly popular Match-3 genre [18]. Crazy Cake Swap is a mix of Candy Crush and Diner Dash, taking place in a bakery and offering different sets of goals for each level. The essentials are similar to other Match-3 games; of course, there’s the concept of matching three or more identical cakes to gain points. A player also only gets five lives and must wait or pay for more when they run out, and a similar wait-or-play model when the end of each “world” is reached. However, it provides a fun element of personalization by allowing users to upload their own photos or avatars, and has more of a storyline than other similar games. Crazy Cake Swap is distributed through the same outlets as Willy Wonka Slots and is free to play with the exception of optional in-app purchases.

[19] Crazy Cake Swap

FUTURE PROJECTS

Zynga has been promising investors two high-development games for awhile, CSR2 and Dawn of Titans, that are finally set to debut later in 2016 [20]. These games could bring in major revenue for Zynga if they become anywhere near as popular as Words with Friends or FarmVille. A recent trend with Zynga has been the overall decline in players, but huge increase in bookings for some of their popular games [21]. Essentially, this means that while there are fewer players, these players are spending a lot of time gaming. If Zynga can successfully recruit more of these avid gamers and grow their user base back up, they will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the social gaming world.

[22] Dawn of Titans

SOURCES

[1] “Zynga Logo.” Pop Culture Blog. Dallas Morning News, 3 June 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

[2] “Zynga Leadership.” Zynga. Zynga, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.

[3] “About Game Cards.” Zynga. Zynga, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

[4] “Social Network Game Development.” IBISWorld. IBISWorld, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.

[5] “Farmville 2: Country Escape.” Google Play. Google, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

[6] “Mark Pincus.” Catchafire. Catchafire, 25 Sept. 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

[7] “Frank Gibeau.” Live Geek or Die. Disqus, 29 Mar. 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

[8] Takahashi, Dean. “Mark Pincus and Frank Gibeau Talk about the Future of Zynga and Social Mobile Gaming.” Venture Beat. VentureBeat, 2 Mar. 2016. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.

[9] “Zynga, Inc. (ZNGA).” Yahoo Finance. Yahoo!, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.

[10] Gobry, Pascual-Emmanuel. “How Zynga Makes Money.” Business Insider. Business Insider, 28 Sept. 2011. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.

[11] “Zynga’s Opening Day.” Gigaom. Knowingly, 16 Dec. 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

[12] Bruno, Alessandro. “ZNGA Stock: This Is Why the Bears Are Wrong on Zynga Inc.” Profit Confidential. Lombardi Publishing, 26 Feb. 2016. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.

[13] “Zynga Headquarters.” Games.com. AOL, 12 Nov. 2012. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

[14] Pakula, Kelly. “Zynga & Rubicon Project Announce New SponsoredPLAY Custom Mobile Advertising Product for Political Campaign Advertisers.” Global Newswire. Nasdaq, 7 Jan. 2016. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.

[15] “Zynga Mockup.” Adweek. Adweek, 7 Jan. 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

[16] Shaul, Brandy. “Zynga Launches Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Slots on Facebook, Mobile.” Social Times. Adweek, 31 Mar. 2016. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.

[17] “Willy Wonka Slots.” Zynga Blog. Zynga, 31 Mar. 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

[18] Allen, Jennifer. “Crazy Cake Swap Review: Sweet, Familiar, and ‘Friendly’.” Gamezebo. Gamezebo, 5 Apr. 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2016

[19] “Crazy Cake Swap.” Google Play. Google, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

[20] Morris, Chris. “What Will It Take To Turn Zynga Around?” Fortune. Fortune, 11 Feb. 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

[21] Nusca, Andrew. Here’s Why Changing CEOs Won’t Fix Zynga. Fortune. Fortune, 2 Mar. 2016. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.

[22] “Dawn of Titans.” NaturalMotion. NaturalMotion, 5 Mar. 2015. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

Discovery Communications

Posted on October 5, 2014 by bngermai

by Brendan Germain

Discovery Logo [1]

One Discovery Place Silver Spring, MD 20910 — 240.662.2000

“Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity, engaging and entertaining viewers with high-quality content on worldwide television networks…” [2]

COMPANY PROFILE

As the number one pay-TV programmer and non-fiction media company, Discovery Communications paves the way for cross platform content appealing to 2.7 billion subscribers across 150 cable networks in over 220 countries. Discovery’s commitment to innovation and segmenting audiences has earned it its place as a leader in targeted media programming headed by Discovery Channel, operating also the Animal Planet, Hub Network and a joint venture with the OWN network among others. The company’s online and media services work in conjunction with its cable programming and have made Discovery a true multi-media, synergistic company.

KEY EXECUTIVES

David Zaslav- President and CEO [4]

Andrew Warren-Senior Executive VP and CFO [5]

Marjorie Kaplan- Group President Discovery Channel [6]

HISTORY

John Hendricks, a West Virginia bred, University of Alabama grad, founded the Cable Educational Network in Maryland back in 1982. Discovery Communications would soon grow from the launch of the Discovery Channel in1985. By 1988 the cable programmer had amassed over 32 million subscribers and by 1991, after acquiring The Learning

Discovery Logo-1988 [9]

Channel (TLC) and launching Discovery in Europe, the company changed its name to Discovery Communications. Over the next 10 years, the company would see considerable international growth in Asian, African and Middle Eastern markets and soon launched a $10 million news site distributing original news content on its Discovery homepage [7]. In 2004 Hendricks stepped down as CEO passing it off to current position holder David Zaslav and this past May, Hendricks retired as Chairman, leaving the company he had built over the past 35 years with a drive towards the environment, education and technological advances. [8]

FINANCES

This past quarter, coming in early November, saw a 14% increase for Discovery Communications (DISCA) on the NASDAQ year-over-year (YOY), with revenue at $1.57 billion [10].

DISCA’s Yearly Stock Price as of December 1, 2014 CLICK TO VIEW CURRENT CHART [12]

The publicly traded conglomerate has been on a rise in stock price, ending around $34 dollars recently with around 148 million shares outstanding. Since 2010, DISCA has been on a mass buyback movement to repurchase in excess of 25% of its stocks to consolidate its outstanding shares, giving the company more control over its numerous domestic and international platforms [11]. The company is segmented into three areas of revenue–Domestic, International, and Education, the first two being programming and education being products and services. Revenue for the domestic programming has seen minimal drops of 1% YOY as advertising budgets for the company have raised 3%, while the international segment as seen rises as high as 34% in revenue, in direct relation with Discovery’s acquisition of Eurosport [13]. Discovery is projected to reach a total revenue between $6.3 billion and $6.35 billion for this 2014 fiscal year.

ACQUISITION OF EUROSPORT

Staking its claim as the #1 Pay-TV programmer for educational, niche content across its over 200 networks domestically and internationally, Discovery has taken a turn towards broadcast and sports media sphere with its spring

Eurosport Logo [15]

acquisition of Eurosport. Eurosport, the premier sports media group in Europe, is valued at $1.2 billion and reaches over 133 million homes. TF1, the French media conglomerate had previously owned 80% of the company before Discovery pushed to expedite the deal which had been set for 2015, though TF1 will holds its stake in the sports media group until the end of the year. [14].

[Click here to view Eurosport’s promo stinger]

Discovery acquired 51% of the company, with TF1 being the only other owner holding the remaining 49%. DISCA is looking to capitalize on the fragmented nature of the sports broadcast industry over in Europe, a step in a different direction from their pay-TV and cable roots, in hopes of building up Eurosport to the status of Europe’s version of ESPN [16].

"Eurosport is a perfect strategic fit for growing market share, strengthening relationships with advertisers and affiliates, and bringing ‘must have’ content to passionate viewers across the globe...” [17] 
      -Discovery CEO David Zaslav-

There are talks already about the possibility of Discovery buying out TF1, giving DISCA full ownership of Eurosport, in turn adding six new pay-TV brands to Discovery’s arsenal.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL

The network that started it all, Discovery Channel (formerly The Discovery Channel), excels at non-fiction programming reaching over 100 million homes in the U.S. and over three times that amount internationally. Launched in 1985, Discovery Channel produces science, nature, adventure and history geared television, among other genres, and has revved up its live-streamed programming over the past few years [18]. In June 2013, Discovery aired a live program special with adventure enthusiast Nik Wallenda traversing the Grand Canyon on a tightrope [19]. The record breaking broadcast event amassed over 13 million viewers, Discovery’s highest-rated live event, with an additional 1.3 million trending Tweets about the stunt, awarding DISCA an Interactive Emmy for Multi-platform storytelling. Discovery Channel followed Wallenda again earlier this month in his tightrope walk between two Chicago skyscrapers at a 15-degree angle, aptly titled SKYSCRAPER LIVE WITH NIK WALLENDA.

Play to view highlights of Nik Wallenda's SKYSCRAPER LIVE walk [21]

Though not drawing the magnitude of coverage as his Grand Canyon walk, this live event in addition to others showcase Discovery’s risky intent to air content to attract an audience, stunts so daring that someone could die [20]. Understanding this, Wallenda carried a $20 million public liability insurance claim, should anything catastrophic have happened. The tightrope walk was a success and coming this May, Discovery Channel intends to air live footage of expert climber Joby Ogwyn’s Mount

SURVIVAL LIVE Logo [24]

Everest jump in a winged suit, titled EVEREST JUMP LIVE, hooking up eight cameras to his suit to get full 360 degree coverage [22]. In addition, the network is continuing on its multi-platform successes with a new, interactive program called SURVIVAL LIVE, a 42-day survivalist event pitting 8 strangers against each other in the remote wilderness [23].The cross-platform media gives viewers the ability to track survivalists biometric, medical statistics during the 24 hour live-streamed event as well as the option to donate needed supplies or help online. Moving to attract a growing, interactive audience, Discovery is prompting new growth in cross-media programming and their push for high adrenaline, live-streamed events sets them apart from other cable networks.

DISCOVERY FAMILY CHANNEL

Since being renamed this past October, Discovery Family, formerly The Hub Network, DISCA’s children geared daytime programming network, has broadened its program offerings in a strengthened partnership between Discovery Communications and Hasbro,

Hasbro, Inc. Logo [25]

Inc. The Hasbro Studios have published upfronts intending to move into primetime television timeslots [26]. With Discovery owning 60% in this joint venture, Discovery Family is projected to have over 70 million U.S. homes tuning in to programs and the two look to move into nightly family targeted programming. The two corporations will both capitalize on producing branded content, marketable to advertisers, and accessible for both children and families [27].

UP AND COMING

Discovery has recently paired up with Sony Entertainment Network to bring channels from DISCA to Play Station Vue, Sony’s cloud-based, internet television service [28]. Sony’s subsidary, Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI), will offer the subscription based service to current users of a PS3 or PS4 come early 2015, totally over 35 million users. The deal will bring Discovery’s 13 U.S. networks to users, in addition to next-gen services like Discovery Digitial Networks [29].

Theorized PlayStation Vue Screen [30]

This is new territory for Discovery, a cloud streaming service, and whether or not users will be willing to pay for the subscription fees is up for debate. Prices per month have yet to be set, though the service brings DISCA’s historically cable programming to an internet based provider follows the path Discovery Communications is walking in becoming a more cross-media driven media group and high-level television programmer.

SOURCES

[1]Discovery Logo corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/18/14

[2] Corporate Mission corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/18/14

[3] Company Profile Information biz.yahoo.com RT:11/18/14

[4] David Zaslav Image corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/18/14

[5] Andrew Warren Image corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/18/14

[6] Marjorie Kaplan Image corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/18/14

[7] Discovery History referenceforbusiness.com RT: 11/18/14

[8] Hendricks Leaves Discovery variety.com RT: 11/18/14

[9] Discovery Logo 1988 logos.wikia.com RT: 11/24/14

[10] DISCA Annual Finances finance.yahoo.com RT: 11/24/14

[11] DISCA Quarterly Report corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/24/14

[12] DISCA Yearly Stock Chart finance.yahoo.com RT: 11/27/14

[13] Discovery Segments/Projections zacks.com RT: 12/1/14

[14] Discovery Acquires Eurosport nytimes.com RT: 11/28/14

[15] Eurosport Logo eurosport.com RT: 11/28/14

[16] Discovery Moves to Broadcast corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/28/14

[17] David Zaslav Quote corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/29/14

[18] Discovery Channel Profile corporate.discovery.com RT:11/29/14

[19] Discovery Live Streams press.discovery.com RT: 11/29/14

[20] Risk of Live Events nytimes.com RT: 11/29/14

[21] SKYSCRAPER LIVE Highlights Footage youtube.com RT: 11/29/14

[22] Everest Jump Live deadline.com RT: 11/29/14

[23] SURVIVAL LIVE press.discovery.com RT: 11/29/14

[24] SURVIVAL LIVE Logo adage.com RT: 11/29/14

[25] Hasbro, Inc Logo hasbro.com RT: 11/30/14

[26] Hasbro, Inc Partnership investor.hasbro.com RT: 11/30/14

[27] Discovery Family Deal corporate.discovery.com RT: 11/30/14

[28] PlayStation Vue Contract polygon.com RT: 12/1/14

[29] Discovery/Vue Offerings corporate.discovery.com RT:12/1/14

[30] PlayStation Vue Screen polygon.com RT: 12/1/14

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