MUMBAI: Infotainment broadcaster Discovery Networks Asia Pacific president, MD Tom Keaveny will be moving to London.

He will be Discovery Networks International (DNI) president of international affiliate sales. This is a newly created role.

Keaveney?s new role is effective from 1 September. The infotainment broadcaster has begun its search for Keaveny?s successor in the Asia Pacific region.
 
Keaveny?s new role will combine being Discovery joint sales organization CEO, which manages affiliate sales efforts for DNI in Western Europe, the Nordics, Ceemea and the Eurosport business. He will also head global affiliate sales strategy.

MUMBAI: It was shortly after midnight on 2 May 2011 when the search for the world?s most hunted felon finally came to an end.

Now on 28 April at 8 pm infotainment broadcaster Discovery Channel will air the special ?Osama Bin Laden: The Finish?. This is the inside story of one of the biggest and most arduous manhunts in history.

It is based on author Mark Bowden?s research book ?The Finish: The Killing of Osama Bin Laden?- that features an exclusive interview with US President Barack Obama, rare access to the White House and first-hand reporting. The special provides an account of the step-by-step developments that led to finally tracking down the world?s most wanted man.

After masterminding the terrorist attacks against the US on 11 September 2001, Osama bin Laden vanished. Over the course of the next decade, America discovered that its war with al-Qaeda - a scattered group of individuals who were almost impossible to track - required a more innovative approach. The special begins by looking at the tragic 2009 suicide bombing by a Jordanian triple agent which killed 10 people, including Jennifer Matthews, a mother of three and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operative leading the hunt for Osama. Through access to military and agency sources, the special takes viewers on the ground where the action unfolded and inside the rooms where high-level decisions were made.

The special has been filmed on location in Jordan, Afghanistan and Pakistan and gives viewers a look at the top-secret strategies employed to complete the mission and President Obama?s campaign promise - to get Osama Bin Laden. The special also sheds light on how intelligence agencies utilise special operations to gather information to find al-Qaeda and Taliban targets.

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."