Discovery Networks are to hold a pitching session in Dublin for Irish producers on November 2 as part of a drive to generate new programming ideas across four categories.
Dee Forbes, president and managing director of Discovery Networks Western Europe, made the announcement in Dublin last night where she delivered the Irish Film and Television Academy Annual Television Lecture.
Forbes, who is originally from Co Cork, said the network of 17 factual and entertainment channels is seeking “ideas that can travel” and urged a gathered room of Irish producers and programme makers to “think outside the Irish box” ahead of the pitching session.
Discovery is seeking ideas for shows in four categories – science and engineering; factual adventure shows; lifestyle - incorporating fashion/makeover and body and health shows; and fast turnaround documentaries.
Forbes said that, in terms of potential budgets for projects, “the sky is the limit” adding that “the budget will match the idea”. She emphasised that any potential commission would have to fit the Discovery “DNA” and emphasised the need for any pitches to “resonate across borders”.
No venue has yet been decided for the pitching session but those interested in attending have been asked to contact either Elizabeth McIntyre, Discovery Networks International Western Europe’s head of production & development in factual, or Sarah Thornton, who is head of lifestyle entertainment, in advance of the November event. Both McIntyre and Thornton will attend the Dublin pitching session and both are based at Discovery's London hub.
Discovery has a reported annual global programming budget exceeding $1bn (€780m). There are 12 Discovery channels on Sky’s packages in Ireland and nine transmitted via UPC.
Dee Forbes and IFTA chief executive Áine Moriarty at last night's lecture |
Speaking at last night’s IFTA event, Forbes also spoke of the growing importance of social media in Discovery’s programming; the rise of 360-commissioning and her desire to see more Irish presenting and producing talent working with the global broadcaster over the coming years.
She also spoke about Discovery’s most recent commission, ‘Endurance in the Wake of Shackleton’, a three-part series following a team of explorers led by Tim Jarvis as they attempt to recreate Kildare-born Ernest Shackleton’s 1,500km crossing of the Southern Ocean encircling Antarctica followed by the South Georgia mountain traverse.
An interview with Forbes will appear on IFTN next week.
A gallery of images from last night’s IFTA event can be viewed here.
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