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.

MUMBAI: Infotainment broadcaster Discovery Channel?s new series ?I Almost Got Away With It? airs from Monday-Saturday at 7 pm.

The show features the stories of fugitives doing anything they can to escape prison. With the best and the brightest in law enforcement after them, their tales of life on the run are truly unbelievable.

Each episode features real-life stories of people who have evaded justice for years ? sometimes decades ? by using any and all means necessary, including their families, fake identification, and even violence to escape the long arm of the law? until they get caught.

From a drug dealer who shoots his girlfriend in a lover?s feud to an ex-cop who is caught on tape firing a gun at her friend?s home, each has a different story but ultimately their motives are always the same ? to stay out of prison and never get caught. Whether it was a botched robbery, a reckless affair, or e-mail tracking technology that led to
their arrests, these fugitives eventually discover that crime doesn?t pay.

Now behind bars, these slick culprits tell all ? where they found shelter, how they changed their identities, and how they managed to stay on the run. With vivid re-enactments of the crimes and subsequent captures, ?I Almost Got Away It? also reveals how law enforcement agencies relentlessly pursued and finally apprehended these fugitives.

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor John Abraham joins Animal Planet to raise awareness about tiger conservation in India. Next month Abraham will share his personal message with the viewers in Animal Planet?s special programming line-up ?Where Tigers Rule? to protect the magnificent animal.

?Where Tigers Rule?, the month long celebration of tigers, kicks off on 1 March and will air every night at 9 pm.

The show will aim to enlighten viewers about tigers? behaviour, predatory skills, family life and issues related to illegal poaching. It will feature man-eating tigers from Sunderbans, the motherly love of a tigress in Bandhavgarh, a family of tigers in Ranthambore forest, amongst others.

Supporting the conservation of Tigers, Abraham said, "The Tiger is the most magnificent animal and its protection and preservation is of national importance. Each of us should contribute in our own way and help increase awareness levels to secure the future of wild tigers. It is a great initiative by Animal Planet to dedicate one full month to tigers, where viewers can enjoy superb programmes and get to know more about the big cat?s behaviour, hunting habits and habitats."

Discovery South Asia senior VP, GM Rahul Johri said, "Animal Planet is India?s foremost wildlife destination that offers immersive, engaging and high quality entertainment to viewers. Where Tigers Rule is a unique initiative that leverages Animal Planet?s reach and popularity to create awareness and support the national cause of tiger conservation."