Discovery Science Celebrates World Science Day, Unveils a new On-Air visual identity and blasts its LOGO into space
Discovery Science, home for the thought provocateur and the only global network dedicated entirely to the wonders of science, is proud to announce its support for this years World Science Day, an annual UNESCO initiative held on 10 November with the purpose of raising awareness of the benefits of science worldwide.
To celebrate the 2014 World Science Day in Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA), the network is supporting British microbiologist, Milton Wainwright and his research into life in space by quite possibly being the first commercial TV channel to send its logo into the stratosphere in a balloon, in the name of science.
Discovery Science has always been about taking science out of the classrooms and laboratories and bringing it into the everyday lives of our viewers. We believe World Science Day shares the same goals and values, which is why we have decided to join in the celebration this year and get our audiences engaged and excited about science with a new on-air look, some of our best programming and a science experiment of our own which is out of this world, said Unai Iparragirre, Director Passion Brands, Discovery Networks CEEMEA.
Milton, Professor at Sheffield University, has been researching micro-organisms in space for over 10 years, looking for proof of extraterrestrial life in the stratosphere. In July 2013, together with his team of scientists, he launched a balloon into the stratosphere, identifying a particular organism called Diatom. Professor Milton will now continue his investigation by launching a new balloon ten times further into space.
Discovery Science will follow the scientist's efforts step by step, creating a series of short episodes exploring the existence of alien bacteria in space, which will be posted on YouTube and Facebook starting 3 November. The turning point of the experiment will be the launch into space of the Discovery Science logo branded balloon on World Science Day. The entire adventure will be filmed and original footage will then be posted on Discovery Science's social media platforms for fans to enjoy.
Discovery Science also celebrates World Science Day by launching a new on-air look for the channel, preparing a special line-up of programming and launching a pan-European competition to see what viewers love about science.
The new on-air look
The center piece of the new channel look, which is set to launch on 3 November, is the logo which will be available in five different versions - Crystal, Liquid Metal, Space, Smokey Mesh, and Engineering - reflecting the channel's key programming genres. Other elements include bumpers, new themed promo packaging and a new continuity look.
Special programming line-up
To kick start celebrations in the week before World Science Day (Monday, Nov 3rd Sunday, Nov 9th) Discovery Science will broadcast themed marathons of its best content from key programing genres: Pop Science, Future Tech, Extra Terrestrial, Engineering, Body Science, Extreme Weather & Space. On World Science Day (Monday 10 Nov) viewers will be able to watch the best shows of the week and two special premieres:
Nasa's Unexplained Files (Monday 10th Nov, 20:30 KSA) a six part series which reveals NASA's top ten unexplained space encounters, using original footage and ground-breaking interviews with astronauts and scientists.
How the Universe Works (Monday 10th Nov, 21:20 KSA) - an eight-part series about the fascinating moons, planets, solar systems and galaxies that come together to create our cosmos. The series illustrates exactly how the universe is designed and built using a dynamic cast of experts and computer generated imagery.
Pan European Consumer Competition
As part of the World Science Day celebration, Discovery Science also launched a dedicated competition for viewers, asking them to upload a 30'' video describing what they love about science. The contest is hosted on www.yourdiscoveryscience.com and started on 1 October. The winner of the competition will get a real star from the Universe, a remote control UFO drone and the opportunity to appear on Discovery Science.
About World Science Day
World Science Day (for Peace and Development) is annually held on 10th November to raise awareness of the benefits of science worldwide. Following the World Conference on Science in 2001, UNESCO established the World Science Day through a proclamation at a general conference. The day was first celebrated in 2002 and has been held annually on 10th November since then.
About Discovery Networks CEEMEA
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the worlds #1 pay-TV programmer reaching 2.7 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity, engaging and entertaining viewers with high-quality content on more than 200 worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery and Science, as well as U.S. joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and the Hub Network. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. In Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 12 Discovery brands reach 261 million cumulative subscribers in 105 countries and territories with programming customized in 19 languages.
About Discovery Science
Discovery Science is the only global network dedicated to the wonders of science. It is home for the thought provocateur, the individual who is unafraid to ask the killer questions of "how" and "why not." The network is a playground for those with audacious intellects and features programming willing to go beyond imagination to explore the unknown. Guided by curiosity, Discovery Science looks for innovation in mysterious new worlds as well as in its own backyard, celebrating science as part of our everyday lives. The channel was launched in 1996 in the USA and is now available in 76 million US households as well as 69 million international households.
