MUMBAI: Non-fiction broadcaster Discovery Networks International (DNI) has announced the return of survival expert and global phenomenon Bear Grylls with a new series: ?Bear Grylls: Ultimate Survivors?.

This six episode one hour series - commissioned by DNI creative director, head of production, development Julian Bellamy and DNI VP development, factual programming Sarah Davies will air on Discovery Channel internationally, available in 217 markets across the Asia-Pacific Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

Grylls said, "I am super excited to be working with Discovery again - the channel where the ?Man Vs Wild? journey began. ?Bear Grylls: Ultimate Surviviors? and any future endeavours will be intense-but that?s where the fun is! ?Man Vs Wild? took me to some of the toughest climates and terrains out there, and this new series is an exciting evolution of that. The aim is to follow incredible real-life survival stories and demonstrate dynamic life-saving know-how along the way."

DNI chief content officer, executive VP Luis Silberwasser said, "We are thrilled to welcome Bear back to the Discovery fold. He is a true game-changer in the survival genre, integral in shaping it into the programming powerhouse that it is today. We are now poised to push the limits even further for our international audience."

Bellamy said, "We are hugely excited about Bear?s new series, which brings a fresh take to what he does best: survival extremes. ?Bear Grylls: Ultimate Survivors? will pair Bear?s unique brand of survival knowledge and techniques with some of the most mind-blowing survival stories ever documented. This show will prove to be a must-see for adventure lovers around the world."

In the show, Grylls takes his survival expertise one step further as he reveals the stories of ordinary people stranded in devastatingly dire situations. Coupled with archive footage and interviews with the survivors, he will pit himself against the very same dangers and scenarios, re-living their journeys through first-hand experience, and showing us how to survive through some of the world?s most desolate landscapes.

From a plane crash in the Amazon, to the remote crevasses of the European Alps, to the unforgiving North African desert, Grylls navigates through ever more hostile terrain to show the skills needed to make it back to civilization. The show aims to go beyond mere endurance skills. It aims to offer insight into the human spirit under pressure. It marries emotion and real experience that celebrates instinct, endeavor, and the will to survive in the face of dangers.

MUMBAI: Non-fiction broadcaster Discovery Networks International (DNI) has announced the return of five original series, serving as the bedrock of DNI?s Production and Development unit which launched in 2011.

The shows are ?Last Chance Salon?, ?One Car Too Far?, ?Ultimate Shopper?, ?World?s Top 5? and ?You Have Been Warned? have been re-upped in 2013, to air within DNI?s factual and lifestyle portfolio of 26 channels available to viewers in 217 countries and territories across the globe.

DNI executive VP, chief content officer Luis Silberwasser said, "We re-commissioned five terrific series and it?s proof-positive that we?re continuing to grow Discovery?s reputation as a creative powerhouse of international original programming. With a diverse array of entertainment and fresh talent, our development slate has struck a chord with a global audience."

DNI creative director, head of production, development Julian Bellamy said, "With solid production partners and a strong in-house creative team, DNI has succeeded in creating programming with global appeal. From a twist on survival genre in ?One Car Too Far? to the spoils of shopping in ?Ultimate Shopper?, we?re pleased to enable viewers to follow their favorite shows into the next season and watch as new storylines unfold."

?Last Chance Salon opens its doors once again to offer salvation to desperate victims of botched beauty treatments. A world-renowned plastic surgeon, award winning hairdresser and celebrity dermatologist return to find and fix cosmetic catastrophes, offering a last chance of happiness to those who wanted to look great but ended up damaged-both inside and out.

?One Car Too Far? follows the exploits of American gearhead Bill and former British special forces operative Gary on their next adrenaline-infused adventure, with help from their trusty 4x4, Ruby. This time, the duo is in Mexico and must work their way from civilization across treacherous terrain, relying on instinct, expertise, and each other to arrive at their destination in the wilderness.

?Ultimate Shopper? meanwhile aims to take shopping showdowns to a whole new level, wannabe fashionistas go head-to-head in three style-based challenges and face a panel of sartorial experts. It?s shopper vs. shopper as contestants hunt for the perfect look to win the ultimate prize: a dream wardrobe. In this fashion fantasy, only the most stylish will survive.

In ?World?s Top 5? engineers and scientists analyse and rate the world?s greatest engineering marvels, ultimately revealing the best of each category. Filmed around the globe and featuring high flyers to subterraneous earthshakers, the program covers awe-inspiring innovations, facts and graphics reveal the engineering brilliance behind each mechanical marvel with a panel of experts.

?You Have Been Warned? explores the web?s best science experiments, stunts and inventions, both amateur and professional. In each episode, a team of international experts reveal how these remarkable feats are achieved through science, aided by a roller-coaster ride of the world?s most exciting video clips and counting down to their top favorites.

MUMBAI: US non fiction media company Discovery continues with its restructuring exercisehas announced the appointment of Liz Claiborne and former General Electric/NBC Universal executive Andrew Warren to the position of senior executive VP, CFO.

Warren will join Discovery on 26 March. He succeeds Brad Singer who previously announced that he is leaving Discovery at the end of March.

As part of a larger restructuring following the elimination of the COO position as of 31 December 2011, the company also today announced a realignment of corporate functions under several current senior executives, effective immediately.
 
David Leavy has been promoted to the position of chief communications officer and senior executive VP, corporate marketing and affairs, reporting to president, CEO David Zaslav.

In his new role, Leavy adds centralised marketing functions, including Corporate Research and Consumer Insights, Media Planning and Partnerships, Corporate Marketing, and Discovery Creative, the company‘s in-house creative services group, to his existing responsibilities for Global Communications and Corporate Affairs. T

The new organisation will focus on further amplifying Discovery‘s messaging, promotion and research initiatives around the world.

Discovery chief development officer, general counsel Bruce Campbell said business affairs and global production management to his portfolio, with executive VP, global production management and business affairs Lee Bartlett, will be reporting to him.

Campbell retains his existing responsibilities leading global business development, strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions, and overseeing all legal affairs and litigation for the company.

In his expanded role, Campbell will work with Bartlett to continue attracting top producers and on-air talent for Discovery‘s networks and increasing the company‘s presence in the creative television community.

Discovery chief digital officer JB Perrette said he will oversee Discovery‘s Enterprise Operational Services department as leader of the company‘s digital strategy, including Discovery‘s US websites (ex: Discovery.com, TLC.com, and HowStuffWorks.com, etc.), Interactive Technology and Digital Operations and Programming, as well as the company‘s digital distribution efforts with non-traditional affiliates (ex: Apple, Netflix, Amazon, etc.).

Perrette also is responsible for Discovery Commerce, including Licensing, Home Entertainment and Footage and Music Services.

The new structure aligns Discovery‘s digital assets, social media platforms and information technology services in a single organisation to focus on opportunities presented by emerging technologies.

Discovery Networks International (DNI) executive VP, chief content officer Luis Silberwasser said he will have responsibilities over US network Velocity, which also include leading DNI‘s production and development unit and overseeing the international rollout of TLC.

Velocity senior VP Bob Scanlon will now report to Silberwasser. Together, they will leverage the international appeal of the men‘s lifestyle genre to develop content to drive Velocity and other men‘s lifestyle brands around the world.

Zaslav said, "Having worked extensively with Andy at NBC Universal, know firsthand what an effective and strategic leader he is, how knowledgeable and passionate he is about the media business, and what a great addition he will be to our already strong senior management team . With Andy on board, and with the strategic realignments we announced today, I am confident that Discovery is very well positioned to continue delivering on our strategy for sustainable long-term growth in the U.S. and around the world with a lean and efficient structure that best deploys our outstanding talent and resources."

As CFO, Warren will be responsible for leading the global financial functions and strategies of the company and will direct all accounting, treasury, budgeting and tax activities.

In addition to serving on Discovery‘s executive committee and contributing to the overall strategic direction of the company, Warren also will oversee Discovery‘s Media Technology, Production & Operations division, and will represent the company in its three US joint ventures, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net.

CSS Studios, Discovery‘s creative post-production sound services company, also will report to Warren.