Discovery Communications, Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company reported total revenue of $1,156 million compared to $1,085 million a year ago. Operating income was $414 million compared to $448 million a year ago. Income from continuing operations before income taxes was $377 million compared to $343 million a year ago. Income from continuing operations, net of taxes was $231 million or $0.63 per diluted share compared to $223 million or $0.57 per diluted share a year ago. Net income available to the stockholders of the company was $231 million or $0.63 per diluted share compared to $221 million or $0.57 per diluted share a year ago. Cash provided by operating activities was $131 million compared to $248 million a year ago. Purchases of property and equipment was $26 million compared to $21 million a year ago. Total Adjusted OIBDA was $498 million compared to $508 million a year ago. The company provided earnings guidance for the full year ending December 31, 2013. For the year, the company expects total revenue between $5.575 billion and $5.700 billion, Adjusted OIBDA between $2.425 billion and $2.525 billion, and net income available to the stockholders of the company of $1.200 billion to $1.300 billion.

Discovery Communications announced the appointment of Henrik Ravn as President and Managing Director of the newly combined SBS Discovery Media business. Ravn has led the SBS Nordic business since 2009. Ravn joined SBS in November 2003 as CEO of the TV business in Denmark, and has served as CEO of SBS Nordic since 2009. His prior experience includes senior television marketing, programming and management roles with Viasat/MTG, TV2 in Denmark and Yousee. He was previously head of programming for TV 3 in Denmark, where he led the launch of Channel 3+, the first large niche network in the country.

Discovery Communications, Inc. announced the debut of Animal Planet L!VE, featuring unfiltered, round-the-clock access to the compelling worlds of the beautiful, cute and misunderstood. The 24/7 digital experience builds on Discovery Communications’ long-standing success with live animal cams, including Penguin Cam and Shark Cam, and acts as a digital complement to Animal Planet and its on-air programming. Available on April 03, 2013 at APL.TV and on select Samsung Smart TVs on April 04, 2013, Animal Planet L!VE launches in partnership with Audubon Nature Institute, explore.org, National Aquarium, South Mountain Creamery and the Washington Animal Rescue League – with more cameras planned in the coming months. Starting April 03, 2013 visitors can immerse themselves through 11, live HD cameras – powered by USTREAM: Ant Cam: a childhood ant farm has nothing on this colony of leafcutter ants from Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium in New Orleans; Beluga Cam: in one of several cams from explore.org’s Pearls of the Planet collection, the sleek Beluga whales from Vancouver Aquarium are put in the spotlight, entrancing audiences; Calf Cam: watch baby calves find their legs and explore a whole new world from the South Mountain Creamery in Middletown, Maryland; Chick Cam: spring has sprung for these adorable chicks that, along with the calves, call the South Mountain Creamery home; Cockroach Cam: While feelings may be mixed on these creatures that have inhabited planet since the Cretaceous period, viewers will be mesmerized by their activity and surprise setting inspired by the southern home of Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium; Kitten Cam: Launched in November 2012, the adoptable kittens from the Washington Animal Rescue League in the nation’s capital have pawed their way into the hearts of online audiences; Pacific Reef Cam: In partnership with National Aquarium, this cam lets ocean lovers visit a pacific reef habitat without the scuba gear or getting wet; Penguin Cam: Featuring the best-dressed of Animal Planet L!VE, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas shares their Rockhopper and African penguins, temperate climate birds who prefer warmer water than their cold water cousins; Puppy Cam: Debuting earlier this year in conjunction with PUPPY BOWL, the puppies featured from Washington Animal Rescue League (as with the kittens) are all available for adoption through Petfinder; Sea Nettle Cam: A living meditation for people who need a break in the day, this explore.org cam features the hypnotic Japanese sea nettles from the Vancouver Aquarium; Wild Bird Cam: who will come visit the Animal Planet L!VE birdhouse? Take your perch and see!. Animal Planet L!VE currently is available across desktop and mobile platforms at APL.TV and on Samsung Smart TVs this on April 04, 2013, and will be coming to Roku and Xbox LIVE in the coming months.