MUMBAI: US non fiction media company Discovery Communications announced today that Planet Green will turn red, white, and blue when it is renamed ?Destination America? on 28 May.

Kicking off Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of the summer season, ?Destination America? will be the first network to celebrate the people, places, and stories of the United States, emblazoned with the grit and tenacity, honesty and work ethic, humour and adventurousness that characterise the nation.

The inclusive network, targeting adults 25-54, will be available in 59.5 million homes and feature original series covering such diverse subjects as American food from Tex Mex to barbeque; American mysteries from Jesse James? lost fortune to Area 51; America?s heroes from those who embody the values of the past to
those who invent the technology of the future; as well as never-before-seen footage of America?s iconic landmarks, including Yellowstone National Park and the Everglade swamps.

On Destination America, barbeque isn?t just good cooking but an expression of that country?s roots. A job is never just a job - it?s our ingenuity made real. Places like Alaska are more than untamed beauty - they?re a living symbol of our need to press ahead and walk where no one has tread before.

Destination America president, GM Henry Schleiff said, "Americans may be divided by politics, but we are united by our love of country. As a network inclusive to all, Destination America will celebrate this connective spirit by curating the common ground among us: the pluck of the worn saddle, the promise of exploring new territory, and the diversity that has made this nation great."

With a 360-degree experience that spans across digital platforms and social media sites, the company will also launch an original iPhone App, allowing consumers to share favourite destinations and themes across America. Users can browse images by location or in diverse categories ranging from beautiful to nostalgic to restaurants, mountains and more. And for those seeking inspiration, "Only In America" will feature Top 10 activities and suggestions ranging from majestic National Parks to hilarious road signs, food sculptures to outrageous hobbies, patriotic pets to hairstyles.

Destination America senior VP of content strategy Marc Etkind Said, "Our research, coupled with my own experience developing shows about America over the last 20 years, has shown that viewers have a huge appetite for content focused on our unique culture and spirit. By collecting the very best of travel, adventure, food, home, and natural history into one brand, we?re excited to create a new lifestyle destination for programming that Americans love."

MUMBAI: Discovery?s Tamil channel will celebrate the Tamil New Year on 13 April, with a line-up of programmes showcasing the history, art and traditions of Tamil Nadu.

The shows will air from 2 ? 6 pm on Discovery Channel Tamil.

From ancient temples to the ingenious tribes and exotic jewellery, ?Tamil New Year Special? will celebrate its glorious past, magnificence and rich heritage.

Discovery South Asia senior VP, GM Rahul Johri said, ?The special line-up is an offering to engage and entertain the audience with the best of programming showcasing Tamil Nadu.?

The Tamil New Year Special will kick off with ?Oh My Gold!?. The show?s host Lisa Ray, showcasing the art of temple jewellery-making, will delve into Tamil Nadu?s extravagant jewellery tradition and rich cultural fabric.

?The Lost Temples Of India?, meanwhile, journeys to Tamil Nadu to give viewers a taste of the majestic and splendid temples in Southern India. ?The Irulas Of Tamil Nadu? explores the lives of one of the rare tribes in India ? the Irulas. Each programme included in the ?Tamil New Year Special? has been selectively programmed to highlight a different facet of Tamil Nadu ? history, art, travel, food and culture, their sustainable lifestyle, social fabric, vibrant culture and unique tradition.

MUMBAI: Discovery Networks International (DNI) has commissioned UK-based production company Maverick for 20 hours of original programming -- 15 hours of lifestyle content and 5 hours of factual content -- to air within the company?s portfolio of 144 worldwide television networks.

Programmes include ?Body Confidential?, a new series fronted by television presenter, radio DJ and model Lisa Snowdon, commissioned by DNI director, lifestyle and entertainment production and development Sarah Thornton; and the second season of the personal transformation programme, ?My Naked Secret?, commissioned by Jon Sechrist, Executive Producer, International Production and Development, DNI. Titles and formats for the remaining 10 hours of content will be announced at a later date.

?My Naked Secret? first premiered on TLC in Poland before rolling out around the world on TLC and other lifestyle networks, including Discovery Fit & Health in the US.

The series? renewal marks the first original DNI production to be greenlit for a second season. Each episode follows an individual?s journey as they struggle with a hidden secret about their body. With the help of a therapist, these individuals grapple with revealing their painful secret to family and friends.

MUMBAI: Own: Oprah Winfrey Network has announced a restructuring of its network operations in Los Angeles and New York. The organisation has eliminated 30 positions and redistributed those responsibilities among the network and venture partners, Discovery Communications and Harpo Studios. Thirty positions have been cut.

Own CEO, chief creative officer Oprah Winfrey said, "It is difficult to make tough business decisions that affect people?s lives but the
economics of a start-up cable network just don?t work with the cost structure that was in place. As CEO, I have a responsibility to chart the course for long-term success for the network. To wholly achieve that success, this was a necessary next step."

Winfrey became Own CEO, chief creative officer eight months ago, and tapped her Harpo leadership team, Erik Logan and Sheri Salata as presidents. The new management team has been reviewing the best structure and organisational design for the long term.

Logan said, "We have been on the air for 15 months, and since September we have gained momentum in ratings and viewership.
Restructuring our business will allow us to build a solid foundation for long-term growth."

As part of the restructuring, Neal Kirsch, a long-time Discovery executive and CFO of Discovery?s US networks, will be moving to Own as COO, CFO reporting directly to Logan and Salata. In addition, Own VP, business and legal affairs Tina Perry will now oversee the department and partner with Discovery executive VP, global production management, business and legal affairs Lee Bartlett.

Own VP, production Michelle Holt will now oversee production management; and Discovery senior VP, marketing, ad sales Ian Parmiter will oversee integrated marketing for Own.

MUMBAI: Media company Cineflix Productions has landed a commission to produce Air Aces, a new series that tells the stories of the most heroic airborne combat missions from history.

The six-episode one hour series has been commissioned by Discovery?s Military Channel and History Television in Canada. It will be broadcast on Channel 5 UK. The series is executive produced by Ian Russell and Nick Godwin for Cineflix.

Using original aircraft from wartime battles with stunt pilots, Air Aces will feature hyper realistic mid-air combat sequences in addition to revealing interviews with the last surviving veterans, rare archival footage, cutting edge CGI, and new cinematic techniques.

The show aims to take docu-drama to the next level, transporting viewers back in time by taking them inside the real aircrafts, and re-creating the daring feats of the pilots charged with fighting enemy forces in the sky. Using vintage planes such as Spitfires, Lancaster bombers and Phantom fighters, aerial stunt teams, and state-of-the-art camera technology, the series dramatises the exploits of the world?s greatest Air Aces.