Businessweek

Discovery Communications, Inc., a nonfiction media company, provides content across multiple distribution platforms, including digital distribution arrangements worldwide. The company provides original and purchased content to approximately 1.9 billion cumulative subscribers worldwide through networks that it wholly or partially owns. Its content spans genres, including science, exploration, survival, natural history, technology, docu-series, anthropology, paleontology, history, space, archeology, health and wellness, engineering, adventure, lifestyles, forensics, civilizations, current events, and kids. The company has a library of content and owns various rights to the majority of its content and footage, which enables the company to exploit its library to launch brands and services into new markets. Its content could be re-edited and updated in a manner to provide topical versions of subject matter that could be utilized worldwide. Its content is produced in high definition (HD) format. Segments The company operates through three segments: U.S. Networks; International Networks; and Education. U.S. NETWORKS This segment includes national television networks, Websites, and digital distribution arrangements. This segment wholly owns and operates nine national television networks, including distributed television networks, such as Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, and Science. In addition, this segment holds equity method interests in OWN LLC (OWN), The Hub, and 3net. Discovery Channel: As of December 31, 2012, Discovery Channel reached approximately 99 million subscribers in the U.S. Discovery Channel also reached 8 million subscribers through a licensing arrangement with partners in Canada. Discovery Channel provides content that informs and entertains viewers about the wonder and diversity of the world. The network offers a mix of genres, including science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places, and organizations that shape and share the company’s world.Content on Discovery Channel includes Deadliest Catch, Mythbusters, Jungle Gold, Yukon Men, Moonshiners, and Gold Rush. Discovery Channel is also home to specials and mini-series, such as Frozen Planet. Discovery Channel’s target viewers are adults ages 25-54, primarily men. Discovery Channel is simulcast in HD. TLC: As of December 31, 2012, TLC reached approximately 99 million subscribers in the U.S. TLC also reached approximately 7 million subscribers in Canada. TLC features docu-series and reality-based content about people. Content on TLC includes Cake Boss, Say Yes to the Dress, Sister Wives, Honey Boo Boo, 19 Kids and Counting, What Not to Wear and Long Island Medium. TLC’s target viewers are adults ages 18-54, primarily women. TLC is simulcast in HD. Animal Planet: As of December 31, 2012, Animal Planet reached approximately 97 million subscribers in the U.S. Animal Planet also reached 2 million subscribers through a licensing arrangement with partners in Canada. Animal Planet provides content related to life in the animal kingdom and human interaction with animals. Content on Animal Planet includes River Monsters, Finding Bigfoot, Whale Wars, Call of the Wildman, Tanked, Gator Boys, and Too Cute. Animal Planet’s target viewers are adults ages 25-54. Animal Planet is simulcast in HD. Investigation Discovery: As of December 31, 2012, Investigation Discovery reached approximately 80 million subscribers in the U.S. Investigation Discovery offers mystery and true story content through in-depth series and documentaries that deliver insight into the human condition and the real world of investigations, piecing together the dramatic puzzles of human nature. Content on Investigation Discovery includes On the Case with Paula Zahn, Disappeared, I (Almost) Got Away With It, Who The (Bleep) Did I Marry?, Unusual Suspects, I Married a Mobster, and Nightmare Next Door. Investigation Discovery’s target viewers are adults ages 25-54, primarily women. Investigation Discovery is simulcast in HD. SCIENCE: As of December 31, 2012, SCIENCE reached appr