AUCKLAND, Tuesday: Discovery, Inc has completed its acquisition of MediaWorks TV Ltd, which now operates as Discovery NZ Limited.
The acquisition makes Discovery a major player in New Zealand’s free-to-air television market and includes the entertainment channels Three and Bravo, streaming service ThreeNow, multi-platform news and current affairs service Newshub, as well as channels Three+1, Bravo+1, The Edge TV and The Breeze TV.
Discovery will continue the existing partnership with NBCUniversal for the Bravo channel joint venture.
Discovery will now look to combine its businesses across New Zealand and Australia into one organisation spanning both countries, a move designed to increase scale across the region as a whole.
The business will be jointly led by Auckland-based Glen Kyne & Sydney-based Rebecca Kent, general managers for New Zealand and Australia, who report to Discovery APAC’s New York-based president Simon Robinson
“The business will be jointly led by Glen Kyne (Auckland) & Rebecca Kent (Sydney), reporting to APAC president Simon Robinson (NYC).”
Simon Robinson said: “Today is an exciting moment for Discovery as we significantly expand our operations in New Zealand, and look to create a transTasman powerhouse organisation led by Glen Kyne and Rebecca Kent.
“The acquisition of MediaWorks TV, with its popular brands and prominent position in New Zealand, will be pivotal in achieving long-term growth and success in both markets.”
AUNZ GM Glen Kyne said: “I am incredibly excited to officially join the Discovery family today and welcome this new beginning for our people, audiences and customers, as well as the production companies that we support both locally and abroad.
“We have worked hard to get Three to a clear number two position in the free-to-air market, and now have the opportunity to apply that same focus across the wider portfolio to further strengthen our position.
“Our increased share in New Zealand, alongside our established offering in Australia, will enable us to realise the full value of Discovery brands, delivering premium news and entertainment to our audiences and enhanced solutions for our advertisers.”
AUNZ GM Rebecca Kent said: “This is the next phase of growth for our region, giving us an opportunity to build audiences further with locally produced and internationally acquired content across multiple screens.
“Discovery Channel has had a presence in Australia and New Zealand for 25 years.”
“We are focused on bringing audiences the local stories that Discovery and Three are renowned for through our successful local productions, and using Discovery’s international network to bring local audiences the best of our stories from around the world.”
Discovery has had a presence in Australia and New Zealand for 25 years, when it launched Discovery Channel on Foxtel and Sky. In addition to the Discovery NZ brands, the New Zealand portfolio includes free-to-air channels Choice and HGTV, and six pay-TV channels – Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Food Network, Living and Discovery Turbo.
Discovery Australia’s portfolio includes eight pay-TV channels across Foxtel and Fetch – Discovery Channel, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, Discovery Turbo, HGTV, Food Network and Travel Channel, free-to-air channel 9Rush, a partnership with Nine Entertainment Co, and golf streaming service GolfTV.
About Discovery
Discovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) delivers over 8,000 hours of original programming each year. Available in 220 countries and territories and nearly 50 languages, Discovery is a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens, including TV Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio of apps; direct-to-consumer streaming services such as Food Network Kitchen and MotorTrend OnDemand; digital-first and social content from Group Nine Media; a landmark natural history and factual content partnership with the BBC; and a strategic alliance with PGA Tour.
Discovery’s portfolio of premium brands includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, and the forthcoming multi-platform JV with Chip and Joanna Gaines, Magnolia Network, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the US, Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport.
- corporate.discovery.com
- @DiscoveryIncTV
- www.mediaworks.co.nz
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