Discovery Communications Launches Discovery Health Media Enterprises

Discovery Communications Launches Discovery Health Media Enterprises

- New Initiative Includes First Discovery Stand-Alone Video On Demand Service: Discovery Health On-Call -

BOSTON, July 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Discovery Communications today announced the formation of a new integrated, multi-platform business called Discovery Health Media Enterprises. This new business unit includes the Discovery Health Channel and FitTV television networks and online assets including www.discoveryhealth.com, as well as its Continuing Medical Education (CME) business. This October, the new unit will launch Discovery's first stand-alone VOD service, Discovery Health On-Call, as an additional media platform. Discovery Health Media Enterprises is the only fully integrated multi-platform health care media entity that provides access to a centralized online, television and mobile community for research tools, expert advice and customized products and services.

"Built upon a highly trusted brand, Discovery Health Media Enterprises will incorporate a new line of products and services to be the leader in providing consumers with the most relevant and credible health and medical information. We believe there is a large business opportunity for the company in high quality health media. Our goal is to be the most trusted media source that enables consumers to better manage their families' health and wellness needs," said Judith A. McHale, President and Chief Executive Officer, Discovery Communications.

Discovery Communications has initiated an executive search to recruit a senior level executive from the health care sector to oversee the business unit. Eileen O'Neill, current Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Discovery Health Channel and FitTV, will continue in her role and work closely with the Discovery Networks U.S. Division, which currently supports both networks in the production, marketing, sales and research functions.

Discovery Health Media comprises the following multi-platform businesses:

DISCOVERY HEALTH CHANNEL & DISCOVERY HEALTH ONLINE

Discovery Health Channel and its online site, www.discoveryhealth.com, strive to aid people in both the healing of the human body and the nurturing of the human spirit. Discovery Health Channel has established relationships with the most credible organizations in the health and medical community including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes and the American Diabetes Association. Through sponsorships like that of American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Wall of Hope, unveiling in Washington, D.C., Discovery Health Channel aligns with the organizations and causes that provide consumers with the best information and resources to aid in their health and wellness.

This summer, Discovery Health leads America to wellness with the introduction of two new experts, Sara Snow and Dan Ho. Discovery Health expands its offering beyond the state of medicine and condition to provide content with a healthy balance of mind, body and spirit. With two new primetime series launching in 1Q07, SIMPLY SARA (wt) and THE DAN HO SHOW, these experts practice what they preach, both delivering credible advice that can be easily incorporated into daily lives. Through 1Q07, viewers can visit with Sara and Dan at www.discoveryhealth.com to learn more about their lives and philosophies.

In addition, Discovery Health returns some of the nation's top medical experts, including Discovery Health Channel's senior medical contributor Dr. Mehmet Oz in the new special YOU: ON A DIET (premieres November 15 at 8 PM ET/PT) as well as Dr. Drew Pinsky, in the new series STRICTLY DR. DREW (premieres July 25 at 10 PM ET/PT).

The first television network to bring America a national weight loss initiative, Discovery Health Channel created the multi-platform NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE in 2003 as a mechanism to respond to the adult and childhood obesity epidemic that is sweeping the nation. The annual event has helped more than one million Americans get fit and lose weight since its inception. Discovery Health chief medical correspondent for nutrition and fitness, Dr. Pamela Peeke, returns to the Challenge this year and will provide discoveryhealth.com visitors with expert advice and tips throughout the year.

DISCOVERY HEALTH ON-CALL VOD SERVICE

Set to launch in October, Discovery Health On-Call will offer cable viewers easy access to a trusted source of health information any time, on demand. With topics ranging from diet and exercise to diseases and conditions, Discovery Health On-Call is a one-stop shop of short form videos that touch upon the breadth of need-to-know information to educate viewers on topics that matter most to them. Discovery Health On-Call includes video assets from Discovery Health Channel and FitTV, as well content secured through Discovery Health's established relationships with the most credible organizations in the health and medical community, including the March of Dimes and the American Diabetes Association.

FITTV & FITTV ONLINE

As the only network dedicated to fitness and wellness programming, appealing to men, women and families, FitTV underscores Discovery's commitment to be a leading force in the health media industry. Launched in 2003, FitTV allows viewers to look and feel better through entertaining and solution- driven programming. Every hour of every day, on-air and online, FitTV is home to an impressive line-up of experts, representing the most reliable and credible voices in the fitness and wellness industries today. ALL STAR WORKOUTS provides viewers with a dedicated space to learn and train with a rotating team of high-energy instructors who target every body part with a diverse range of exercise routines. FitTV not only instructs, it inspires with programming that reveals the power of the mind/body connection through programming such as ART OF THE ATHLETE, which explores the training philosophies of sports legends including Martina Navratilova, pro-cycling star George Hincapie and Olympians Jonny Moseley and Kristi Yamaguchi.

DISCOVERY HEALTH CME

Building on Discovery Health's long-standing partnerships with some of the country's leading physicians and medical institutions, Discovery Health Continuing Medical Education (CME) brings credible information that has been thoroughly reviewed to ensure scientific accuracy and evidence-based recommendations as an additional source of accreditation for physicians in multiple disciplines and areas. Discovery Health CME goes beyond static journal articles and lecture presentations to deliver up-to-date scientific findings that help physicians keep abreast of current standards of care. Using medical experts from across the country that address the health issues facing patients today, Discovery Health delivers the highest-quality CME with a focus on providing practical guidance that helps physicians in their everyday practice to improve the health and well-being of patients.

DISCOVERY HEALTH MOBILE

Also in the coming months, Discovery Health Media Enterprises will launch Discovery Health Mobile, a new service that will include programming alerts, expert tips and short form content as an enhancement to its online, VOD and network program offerings.

Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media company with operations in 170 countries and territories reaching 1.4 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI's over 100 networks of distinctive programming represent 28 trusted brands including Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education and COSMEO, a revolutionary online homework help service, as well as Discovery Commerce, which operates more than 100 Discovery Channel Stores in the U.S. Discovery brings the real world to the whole world through its global multiplatform initiatives including Discovery Travel Media, Discovery Mobile and multiple broadband services. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ:DISCA)(NASDAQ:DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman. More information about Discovery and its businesses can be found at www.discovery.com.

Source: Discovery Communications

CONTACT: Catherine Frymark, +1-240-893-9840,
Catherine_Frymark@discovery.com, or Reenie Kuhlman, +1-240-662-2937,
Reenie_Kuhlman@discovery.com , both for Discovery Communications

Web site: http://www.discovery.com/
http://www.discoveryhealth.com/

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