MUMBAI: Own: Oprah Winfrey Network and Discovery Networks International have announced that singer Justin Bieber will be featured in a special episode of ?Oprah?s Next Chapter? airing in more than 100 countries worldwide.

The interview first premieres on 25 November on Own: Oprah Winfrey Network and will then air throughout the world on Discovery?s channels TLC, Home & Health and Real Time.

Winfrey attended Bieber?s sold-out Believe concert at the All-State Arena in Rosemont, Illinois and got a backstage look at how one lady among thousands of "Beliebers" was chosen to go on stage for Bieber?s signature ?One Less Lonely Girl? performance.

Winfrey and Bieber then sat down today at RL Restaurant in Chicago for a discussion. Bieber opens up to Winfrey about his growth as an artist, the pitfalls of fame and living in the spotlight. Later, the two go holiday shopping together at Chicago?s Ralph Lauren and Bieber surprises onlookers with an impromptu acoustic performance.

Bieber has become the first music artist to reach three billion views on Youtube through his official page http://www.youtube.com/justinbiebervevo. Bieber?s current album is ?Believe? (Island Def Jam). The platinum album?s first two singles ?Boyfriend? and ?As Long As You Love Me? are both multiplatinum.

MUMBAI: US brpadcaster Own: Oprah Winfrey Network has announced a partnership with actor, director, screenwriter, playwright and producer Tyler Perry to become his singular destination for all new television series and projects, including two new scripted series for the network to premiere in mid 2013.

These will be the first original scripted series for OWN and Perry will executive produce, write and direct both series.

Perry is known for television series ‘Tyler Perry‘s House of Payne‘, ‘Meet the Browns‘ and ‘For Better Or Worse‘ Own CEO Oprah Winfrey said, "I have been looking forward to the day when we would be in the position to enter the world of scripted television. That day has come. We are all energized by the opportunity to collaborate with Tyler who has a proven track record for producing highly successful cable series. He has an incredible ability to illuminate life stories and characters in his unique voice and inspires and encourages people all over the world."

Perry said, "It‘s a dream realised to partner with Oprah and bring scripted programming to Own. She has accomplished so much with the network and I‘m excited to work with her to be a part of its continued growth."

Discovery president, CEO David Zaslav said, "Bringing Tyler Perry exclusively to Own is a major coup. This announcement demonstrates the power of the Oprah brand to attract some of the biggest names in television and film to Own. Own‘s growth over the past nine months has been nothing short of phenomenal and, with the continued support of our advertising and affiliate Partners, this bold move into scripted entertainment positions OWN to continue that momentum going forward."

MUMBAI: Discovery Communications? net income for the first quarter ended 31 March has taken a hit due to losses at Oprah Winfrey Networks, in which it holds 50 per cent stake.

First quarter revenues of $1.1 billion registered a 16 per cent growth over the first quarter a year ago, led by 16 per cent growth at U.S. Networks and 18 per cent growth at international networks.

Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (Oibda) grew 19 per cent to $507 million, driven by an 18 per cent increase at U.S. Networks and a 19 per cent increase at international networks.

First quarter net income from continuing operations got trimmed by $84 million to $221 million compared to the year-before quarter as strong operating performance in the current year was offset by a gain of $102 million, net of tax, in the first quarter of 2011 from the contribution of the Discovery Health network to the OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network joint venture.

Current quarter results also reflect that during the quarter the company began recording 100 per cent of OWN?s net losses in Other expense, net, as accumulated operating losses at OWN exceeded the equity contributed to OWN.

Free cash flow was $227 million for the first quarter, an increase of $21 million from the first quarter of 2011, due to increased operating performance and lower long-term incentive compensation payments, partially offset by higher cash tax payments. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities less acquisitions of property and equipment.

The company also repurchased 6.9 million shares for an aggregate purchase price of $288 million.

MUMBAI: US non fiction media company Discovery has reported full year ended 2011 revenues of $4.2 billion, a 12 per cent jump over 2010 revenues, primarily driven by an 11 per cent growth at US Networks and 16 per cent growth at International Networks.

Adjusted OIBDA grew by 13 per cent to $1,914 million, driven by a 10 per cent increase at US Networks and an 18 per cent increase at International Networks.

The domestic results included significant additional licensing revenues under an extended and expanded licensing agreement, partially offset by increased content costs from higher impairment charges and changes in amortization rates at several networks.

Full year 2011 net income from continuing operations available to Discovery stockholders of $1.13 billion increased $503 million compared to $630 million a year ago.

The current year results primarily reflect the strong operating performance, a gain of $102 million, net of tax, as a result of contributing the domestic Discovery Health network to the Own: Oprah Winfrey Network (Own) joint venture, $99 million of lower expense from the change in the fair value of mark-to-market share-based compensation and $137 million in lower taxes, primarily due to the recognition of foreign tax credits.

The increase also reflects a $136 million loss on the early extinguishment of debt and termination of interest rate swaps included in the prior year.

Free cash flow was $1 billion for the year, an increase of $423 million from full year 2010, due to increased operating performance as well as lower net tax, interest and long-term incentive compensation payments, partially offset by higher working capital and content investments.

The prior year included payments of $138 million for the early extinguishment of debt and termination of interest rate swaps.

Fourth quarter revenues of $1.12 billion increased $107 million, or 11 per cent, over the fourth quarter a year ago, led by 11 per cent growth at US Networks and 12 per cent growth at International Networks.

Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization (OIBDA) grew by eight per cent to $498 million, including $20 million of additional content costs in the quarter due to changes in amortization rates at several networks and higher impairment charges, as well as $12 million in adverse foreign currency impact.

Fourth quarter net income from continuing operations available to Discovery stockholders of $336 million increased by $142 million compared to $194 million for the fourth quarter a year ago.

The current quarter results reflect the strong operating performance as well as $109 million in lower taxes primarily due to the recognition of foreign tax credits as a result of a reorganisation of certain international operations, partially offset by a $20 million impairment charge related to our commerce operations.

Free cash flow was $324 million for the fourth quarter, an increase of $121 million from the fourth quarter of 2010, due to increased operating performance as well as lower net tax and long-term incentive compensation payments.

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.