Discovery Communications Inc

Discovery Communications Inc., the company that owns the Discovery and Learning cable channels, is buying a small chain of retail shops and signaling that it has plans for more. Bethesda, Md.-based Discovery acquired the similarly named Discovery stores of Dallas, whose 11 outlets sell educational games and gifts. The purchase will cost about $10 million, people at Discovery Communications said.

The Oprah Winfrey Network seems to have everything needed to succeed: some of the best creative minds in the business, strong financial backing, a loyal audience and enthusiastic advertisers eager to buy commercial time. But more than 20 months after the announcement that Winfrey was teaming with Discovery Communications Inc. to create a cable channel that celebrates her ethos, "Living your best life," not much has happened -- except for a revolving door of executives. Three top programmers abruptly left the Los Angeles-based network in recent months, and development spending has been cut. OWN was supposed to have launched by now, but its debut has been pushed back to mid-2010.

The transformation of Discovery Communications Inc., once a sprawling and sleepy television operation, should rev up next year as it becomes a publicly traded company under a deal announced Thursday by cable mogul John Malone and Advance/Newhouse Communications. "This is the transaction that we have been expecting to occur," said Richard Greenfield, media analyst for Pali Research.

In a deal that will surely make activist groups froth and may have rivals looking over their shoulders, Discovery Communications Inc. and Hasbro Inc. are partnering on a new kids' cable channel aimed at the elusive 14-and-under demographic. Under the terms of the deal, Hasbro, maker of Trivial Pursuit, G.I. Joe, Transformers and Scrabble, will pay $300 million for a 50% stake in Discovery Kids Network, the cable programmer's children's channel, which is available in 60 million homes.

The Oprah Winfrey Network seems to have everything needed to succeed: some of the best creative minds in the business, strong financial backing, a loyal audience and enthusiastic advertisers eager to buy commercial time. But more than 20 months after the announcement that Winfrey was teaming with Discovery Communications Inc. to create a cable channel that celebrates her ethos, "Living your best life," not much has happened -- except for a revolving door of executives. Three top programmers abruptly left the Los Angeles-based network in recent months, and development spending has been cut. OWN was supposed to have launched by now, but its debut has been pushed back to mid-2010.

Discovery Communications Inc. says the Kindle electronic book reader from Amazon.com Inc. violates a patent that Discovery registered in 2007. Discovery sued Amazon in Delaware on Tuesday. Discovery spokeswoman Michelle Russo said the company was seeking "fair compensation" through damages, future royalty payments and legal fees but would not seek an injunction stopping sales of the Kindle. An Amazon.com spokeswoman declined to comment.

CBS Corp., the top-rated U.S. broadcaster, said it has sold all of its CBS Eye on People cable network to Discovery Communications Inc., changing an agreement to sell half of the channel and run it as a joint venture. Terms of the cash sale weren't disclosed. CBS in July had agreed to sell half the money-losing channel to Discovery in an attempt to improve its programming and distribution. Eye on People, with 11 million subscribers, features documentaries and other programs on personalities.

Discovery Communications Inc., owner of the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet cable channels, said it will invest $500 million over three years in a newly formed Internet company and may eventually sell shares in the business to the public. Closely held Discovery is 49%-owned by Liberty Media Group, the programming arm of AT&T Corp. controlled by cable veteran John Malone. The new company, to be called Discovery.

Discovery Communications Inc. and British Broadcasting Corp. are planning to spend $500 million in the next five years in co-productions and the launching of new cable networks in the U.S. and abroad, sources said Thursday. The joint venture will include a new BBC cable network in the U.S. that will showcase BBC dramas and performing-arts programming.

Cable mogul John Malone tightened his grip over television giant Discovery Communications Inc. on Thursday by buying the 25% stake held by Cox Communications for $1.28 billion in cash and other assets. Malone's Liberty Media Corp. currently owns 50% of the Silver Spring, Md.-based company, which includes cable channels Discovery, TLC and Animal Planet. Liberty's stake in Discovery Holding Co. would increase to 66% with Thursday's deal.

Discovery Communications Inc. says the Kindle electronic book reader from Amazon.com Inc. violates a patent that Discovery registered in 2007. Discovery sued Amazon in Delaware on Tuesday. Discovery spokeswoman Michelle Russo said the company was seeking "fair compensation" through damages, future royalty payments and legal fees but would not seek an injunction stopping sales of the Kindle. An Amazon.com spokeswoman declined to comment.

The transformation of Discovery Communications Inc., once a sprawling and sleepy television operation, should rev up next year as it becomes a publicly traded company under a deal announced Thursday by cable mogul John Malone and Advance/Newhouse Communications. "This is the transaction that we have been expecting to occur," said Richard Greenfield, media analyst for Pali Research.

Discovery Communications, the media company behind the educational program "Planet Earth" whose networks include Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, plans to close its 103 retail stores and lay off about 25% of its total workforce. The stores will close in the fall. About 1,000 workers at the stores and elsewhere in the company will lose their jobs, Discovery said Thursday.

Cable programmer Discovery Communications Inc. on Tuesday began its march into Hollywood by plucking a veteran TV executive to run its TLC cable channel, which it hopes to turn into a more popular destination for women. The hiring of Angela Shapiro-Mathes, president of Fox TV Studios and a former Walt Disney Co. executive, represents a dramatic departure for the Silver Spring, Md.-based company. Discovery to date has largely operated outside the media power centers of L.A. and New York.

Cable mogul John Malone tightened his grip over television giant Discovery Communications Inc. on Thursday by buying the 25% stake held by Cox Communications for $1.28 billion in cash and other assets. Malone's Liberty Media Corp. currently owns 50% of the Silver Spring, Md.-based company, which includes cable channels Discovery, TLC and Animal Planet. Liberty's stake in Discovery Holding Co. would increase to 66% with Thursday's deal.

Billy Campbell, president of Discovery Networks, is leaving the company as part of a broad reorganization announced Monday by David Zaslav, the new chief executive of Discovery Communications Inc. A former executive with Miramax Television, CBS Entertainment and Warner Bros., Campbell had sought the top job that went to Zaslav. "I've really been lucky to work at Discovery. It's been a job of a lifetime," Campbell said.

Billy Campbell, president of Discovery Networks, is leaving the company as part of a broad reorganization announced Monday by David Zaslav, the new chief executive of Discovery Communications Inc. A former executive with Miramax Television, CBS Entertainment and Warner Bros., Campbell had sought the top job that went to Zaslav. "I've really been lucky to work at Discovery. It's been a job of a lifetime," Campbell said.

One of the world's most valuable names on cable TV may soon be up for grabs as a result of a financial maneuver Tuesday by cable mogul John Malone. Liberty Media Corp., Malone's cable programming company, said Tuesday that it would spin off its 50% stake in Discovery Communications Inc., which owns cable networks such as the Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and the Travel Channel. Discovery, based in Silver Spring, Md.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. said that it signed with cable company Discovery Communications to rebroadcast Stewart's upcoming daytime TV show and air a new home-improvement reality series.

One of the world's most valuable names on cable TV may soon be up for grabs as a result of a financial maneuver Tuesday by cable mogul John Malone. Liberty Media Corp., Malone's cable programming company, said Tuesday that it would spin off its 50% stake in Discovery Communications Inc., which owns cable networks such as the Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and the Travel Channel. Discovery, based in Silver Spring, Md.