MUMBAI: Discovery Communications has completed the acquisition of the SBS Nordic operations of ProSiebenSat.1 Group, originally announced in December 2012. Discovery has purchased SBS Nordic for a total enterprise value of approximately $1.7 billion.

The acquisition adds 12 television networks, as well as leading radio stations and several digital brands, to Discovery?s existing portfolio of eight brands in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, to form a combined regional business to be known as SBS Discovery Media.

"The formation of SBS Discovery Media solidifies Discovery?s long-term growth in some of the most well-penetrated and stable TV markets in the world, while also expanding Discovery?s brand portfolio by adding scripted entertainment programming to the company?s suite of genres," said Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav.

"This acquisition, along with the recent announcement of Discovery?s equity stake in Eurosport, is a continuation of a 25-year strategy of investing internationally to build the most extensive global footprint in media and extending our presence in key markets to support long-term growth and diversify the company?s offerings."

Along with the closing of the transaction, Discovery also announced the appointment of Henrik Ravn as President and Managing Director of the newly combined SBS Discovery Media business, which includes both Discovery?s and SBS?s networks and operations in the Nordic region. Ravn has led the SBS Nordic business since 2009.

Ravn joined SBS in November 2003 as CEO of the TV business in Denmark, and has served as CEO of SBS Nordic since 2009. His prior experience includes senior television marketing, programming and management roles with Viasat/MTG, TV2 in Denmark and Yousee. He was previously head of programming for TV 3 in Denmark, where he led the launch of Channel 3+, the first large niche network in the country.

Filling out the SBS Discovery Media senior management team will be Christian Kemp as CEO Denmark, Jonas Sjogren as CEO Sweden/Finland, Harald Stromme as CEO Norway, Hans van Rijn as Business Development Director, Eivind Landsverk as Programming & Content Director and Quinton Holland as CFO.

Also on the senior team is Jan Andreassen , the leader of Discovery?s Nordic business, who will serve as a key member of the integration team, working closely with Ravn and the rest of senior management to counsel on operational and strategic issues for the combined entity. Finally, Darren Campbell from Discovery will serve as Vice President of Human Resources.

MUMBAI: The Food Network, UK, brands of Scripps Networks International has acquired the exclusive rights to two new programmes, ?Pizza Italiana with Thom and James?, and ?Recipes that Rock?.

?Pizza Italiana with Thom and James? follows two brothers as they tour Italy in their ?Conchetta" Piaggio Ape van, while ?Recipes that rock? is a rock ?n? roll gastro-travel show featuring the bass player from the British band Blur.

Food Network Asia has secured the rights to ?Mobile Chef?, a Singapore series that showcases a cutting-edge chef and modern gastronomy at its finest.

Scripps Networks Interactive EMEA MD Jon Sichel said, "We couldn?t be happier with the calibre of our newest series. From British rock stars to street food super heroes, our new spring programming is fresh, fun and exemplifies the quality and uniqueness that our viewers have come to expect."

The gastro-travel series ?Pizza Italiana with Thom and James? features the brothers behind the ?Napoli-inspired street food? stall Pizza Pilgrims on Soho?s Berwick Street market which is pulling in the crowds. The programme follows James and Thom on their road trip across Italy in their beloved "Conchetta" Piaggio Ape van, which tops out at 40 mph, and features a cast of lively Italian characters all sharing their love and passion for what makes Italy great.

The on-the-road culinary discovery series, ?Recipes that Rock? stars the rock star and artisan cheese maker Alex James, and a young, tattooed Australian restaurateur who rocks, Matt Stone. Together the dynamic duo explore Australia?s Margaret River region looking for the best of the best as the rockers plan out their own party menu.

Alex James first made his name as the bass player of one of the most famous British rock bands, Blur. He is now also recognized as an author, father and farmer. who makes award-winning artisan cheeses. Matt Stone is a rock ?n? roll chef, complete with tattoos, an anti-establishment attitude and passion for food, sustainability and skateboarding. He started his career at Margaret River?s Leeuwin Estate and currently has restaurants in both Perth and Melbourne.

?Recipes that Rock? is scheduled to premiere in the UK this June. The series is being produced by Mago Films with Marian Bartsch as Executive Producer and being distributed by Flame Distribution.

Scripps EMEA Senior VP, Content and Marketing, Nick Thorogood said, "We are thrilled to welcome Alex, Matt, Thom, James and Ryan to the Food Network family this spring. They each bring a colourful personality and tremendous talent to the network and together will make for a fantastic season of new programming."

?Mobile Chef? stars Ryan Clift, head chef of one of the restaurant Tippling Club. From his hi-tech kitchen in the heart of Singapore, Ryan is a renowned pioneer in modern gastronomy, using equipment and techniques normally found in laboratories and science books.

?Mobile Chef? follows Ryan and his crew as they strive to take his singular cuisine out of the restaurant and make it truly mobile. At different venues throughout Singapore, Ryan attempts to pull off some of the most ambitious dinners he has ever prepared, with each dish, location and guest list presenting a unique set of challenges and demands. The series will premiere 19 May and was produced in partnership with Singapore?s Media Development Authority.

Scripps Networks Asia MD Derek Chang said, "Mobile Chef is a brilliant fusion of food meeting modern science. Chef Ryan is a true kitchen wizard and a perfect fit for the Food Network brand."

MUMBAI: Discovery India has acquired the broadcast rights of ?Lost Treasure Hunters? from Cableready, an international television programme distribution and development company.

The six episode show follows a team of highly skilled prospectors on their attempt to rediscover the long lost source of the great diamonds of Golconda, India.

Cableready has closed a series of global sales agreements which collectively exceed 170 hours of programming.

Cableready president and CEO Gary Lico said, "Our new sales team led by Maurizio Tavares is a house-on-fire based on these pre-market results. This is a great way for Cableready to head into the 50th Anniversary of MipTV."

MUMBAI: Discovery will air a special showing the true story that inspired the Oscar winning film ?Argo?.

The special ?Argo: Inside Story? airs on 31 March at 8 pm.

The Oscar winning film had chronicled the Central Intelligent Agency?s (CIA) attempt to rescue six Americans during the 1978 Iran hostage crisis. The film, which won the Best Picture Award, is based on real-life events.

Discovery?s special gains access to the top players involved in the crisis to hear their side of the story, including the CIA?s "chief of disguise", Tony Mendez, who was called upon to devise the rescue plan. The one-hour special narrated by actor Bray Poor, gives an inside look at the dramatic escape and how Mendez forged identity documents and elaborate disguises to get past the security agents at the Tehran airport.

The CIA had to come up with a convincing reason for the six people being in Tehran in the first place, and devise a way for them to leave without arousing suspicion. The operation became an elaborate scheme involving fake identification cards, a phantom movie production and unprecedented cooperation between the United States and Canada.

Mendez, who had limited access to materials once inside Iran, recalls how he forged official documents in the office of the Canadian Ambassador. "One of the stamp pads had dried out and I had to mix the right ink color," Mendez recalls in the special. "So I went over to the Canadian Ambassador?s liquor cabinet and got a bottle of Scotch and poured some on [the pad]."

The special reveals how the Americans prepared for their departure, the true story about the agency?s involvement and their reasons for keeping it secret for nearly two decades.