Discovery Networks revealed its line-up of shows at its exclusive Upfront event in Johannesburg.
Hosted by Lee Hobbs, VP of Brand and Content, Discovery Networks CEEMEA, and special guests Ed Stafford (Marooned with Ed Stafford), David Emanuel (Say Yes to the Dress UK), Riaan & Vasti Manser (Honeymoon Pacific), Brent Owens (Extreme, Authentic, Unwrapped), the winner of TLC’s Next Great Presenter competition, Carissa Cupido along with head judge Thando Thabethe, guests were presented with the big shows set to premiere in Africa next year across Discovery Channel, TLC Entertainment, Discovery Family, IDX and Animal Planet.
“In 2017 we are getting closer to our African audiences with several brand new series across our portfolio featuring local stories and local faces,’ said Lee Hobbs, VP of Brand & Content, Discovery Networks CEEMEA. “From Idris Elba’s triumphant return to Discovery Channel, which includes a story filmed right here in South Africa, to the Next Great Presenter winner who will make their debut on TLC in January, next year our channels will be more locally-relevant than ever. And with the return of our big, popular global franchises, our 2017 DStv content offering will be truly unmissable.’
Some of Discovery Networks Africa’s 2016-2017 programming schedule highlights include:
Discovery Channel:
Leading the way on Discovery Channel in Q1 are three new shows, featuring three well-known faces. Honeymoon Pacific (from South African production company, Oxyg3n Media) follows South African newlyweds Riaan and Vasti Manser as they take on their next extreme challenge – rowing the Pacific on the honeymoon of a lifetime. Brent Owens makes his debut on Discovery channel in Extreme, Authentic, Unwrapped (Oxyg3n Media), which sees the famous chef explore South Africa to unwrap the beautiful and diverse cultures and terrain. And heavyweight actor Idris Elba returns with the brand new series Idris Elba: Fighter, shot on location in Britain, Cuba, Japan, South Africa and Thailand, as he takes on what is the most physically and mentally demanding experience of his career – training to become a professional kickboxer.
Also premiering in Q1 is the highly-anticipated series Everest Rescue, which follows Mount Everest’s team of elite high-altitude helicopter pilots who risk it all rescuing the climbers who get into trouble on the mountain. Then in Q3, Discovery Channel presents its latest scripted project, Unabomber which tells the story of how the FBI brought down one of the most infamous criminal masterminds in the world – Ted Kaczynski, also known as the “Unabomber’.
TLC Entertainment:
Joining the TLC rostrum in Q1 is the TLC Next Great Presenter winner Carissa Cupido, who makes her debut in TLC’s Most Extreme, a look back at the most incredible moments and larger-than-life characters from the TLC vaults. From the most extreme I Dos, love lives and transformations, one thing is certain – there is nothing ordinary about these extreme shows!
Animal Planet:
Africa will once again take centre stage on Animal Planet in 2017. Premiering in Q1, Deadliest South Africa sees Kurdt Greenwood seek out and travel to remote reserves to find South Africa’s 12 most deadly snake species as he hopes to educate and inspire the masses to see the value of every creature. Following on from the popularity of Meet the Sloths and Meet the Orangutans, Meet the Penguins is a heart-warming new series coming to Animal Planet in Q2, which follows the work of Cape Town’s Sanccob Seabird Hospital where a passionate team are battling to save precious penguin lives. And in Keeping Up With The Kruger, we get up close to Africa’s most majestic and rare creatures amidst the stunning landscapes of South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
For more information visit the Discovery Communications website.
