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DCI both produces original programming and acquires content from producers worldwide. This non-fiction programming is offered through DCI's 28 network entertainment brands, including Discovery Channel , TLC (The Learning Channel), Animal Planet , Discovery Health Channel , Discovery Kids and a family of digital channels. DCI also distributes BBC America , BBC World , and Travel Channel to cable and satellite operators in the United States. DIVISIONS DCI operates its businesses in four groups: Discovery Networks U.S., Discovery Networks International, Discovery Commerce, and Discovery Education. Discovery Networks U.S. Discovery Networks U.S. operates 12 English-language channels, three Spanish-language channels {Link without Title} and "provides distribution and advertising sales services for BBC America ." According to SEC filings, the division "also operates web sites related to its channel businesses and various other new media businesses, including a video-on-demand offering distributed by various cable operators." The division's channels include:
In 2006 Discovery moved to expand its reach beyond traditional TV with the launch of several new businesses including Discovery Travel Media, Discovery Health Media, and Animal Planet Media Enterprises. Also in 2006, Discovery began providing video segments to Google Earth to help users explore U.S. national parks and European cities. In 2007 Travel Media was sold to Cox Communications. {Link without Title} In January 2006 Discovery announced that former ABC “Nightline” host Ted Koppel was joining the network as a managing editor, and would produce long-form journalism “examining major global topics and events.” DCI fully owns and operates all of the above channels with the exception of the BBC channels and the Travel Channel. All of DCI's U.S. networks are broadcast from the Discovery Television and Technology Center located in Sterling, VA. {Link without Title} Green channel The Discovery Channel has plans in work to start a 24-hour channel in the second half of 2008 focused on eco-friendly living, as part of a push into the rising environmental movement with shows like "Ten Ways To Save the Planet". {Link without Title} The channel will be called PlanetGreen and will replace Discovery Home. Treehugger.com and Hugg.com have recently been acquired. Discovery Networks International Discovery Networks International, or Discovery international networks offers "a portfolio of channels, led by Discovery Channel and Animal Planet , that are distributed in virtually every pay-television market in the world." The division offers over 100 separate feeds in 35 languages with "channel feeds customized according to language needs and advertising sales opportunities." {Link without Title} DCI owns most channels offered by Discovery Networks International, with the exception of:
"As with the U.S. networks division, the international networks operate web sites and other new media businesses." On and DCTF to provide global free-to-air television to more than 20 million households in Germany and neighboring countries. As of January 2006 , {Link without Title} Discovery International Channels included:
In the United Kingdom , Discovery broadcasts a bouquet of 14 channels (including Timeshifts ) on digital television. Discovery Commerce Discovery Commerce "operates a chain of retail stores in the United States that offer lifestyle, health, science and education-oriented products, as well as products specifically related to programming on Discovery's networks." This division "also operates a catalog and electronic commerce business (located at shopping.discovery.com {Link without Title} ) selling products similar to that sold in the Discovery Channel Stores, as well as a licensing business that licenses Discovery trademarks and intellectual property to third parties for the purpose of creating and selling retail merchandise. Recently the Discovery Channel stores have undergone a going out of business sale in which the prices of their inventory is being reduced up to 60%. The products now available at the Discovery Channel store will still be available online." Discovery Education Discovery Education is a division which offers "streaming educational video material into schools via the internet." Discovery Education operates ''unitedstreaming'', a "leading educational broadband streaming service in the United States." In April of 2006, Discovery Education acquired a premier assessment company, ThinkLink Learning, which is based in Nashville, Tennessee. The ThinkLink program is designed to help students improve on state standardized tests. Discovery Education also sells DVD, VHS, CD-ROM, and Multimedia kits with the same content. Other products include COSMEO -an online homework subscription help site, Discovery Health Connection, Discovery Science Connection and they recently purchased other video streaming companies. They have two free services. One is their website, Discovery School and the other is a teacher community, the Discovery Educator Network, commonly referred to as the DEN. RELATIONSHIPS/RIVALRIES OFFICERS Judith A. McHale is the former President and Chief Executive Officer. On Thursday, November 16, 2006, Discovery Communications announced that NBC Universal executive David Zaslav will be the next president and CEO. {Link without Title} Then in February of 2007, the newly appointed CEO David Zaslav ordered a restructuring of the top executives. The executives leaving include: Billy Campbell, former president of Discovery Networks U.S.A., Dawn McCall, former president of Discovery Networks International, Maureen Smith, former prexy general manager of Animal Planet and David Abraham, former president and general manager of TLC. Zaslav hired Greg Ricca to run Discovery Networks Intl. as president and CEO. He promoted Mark Hollinger to president of global businesses and Operations, Marjorie Kaplan to prexy general manager of Animal Planet Media and Discovery Kids Media, and Jane Root to prexy general manager of the Discovery Channel and the Science Channel. {Link without Title} OWNERSHIP DCI's ownership consists of three shareholders:
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