The event saw a host of Discovery faces including Jeremy Wade (River Monsters), Eugene Cussons (Chimp Eden) and Lori Allen (Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids) and local celebrity, Fana Mokoena, unveil the big shows coming to Discovery Networks' portfolio in South Africa over the next twelve months.
In addition to announcing programme highlights from its existing portfolio of Discovery Channel, Discovery World, Animal Planet and Discovery HD Showcase, Discovery Networks also officially introduced TLC and ID: Investigation Discovery, the two new channels launching on DStv across Africa this week.
"2012 is set to be an epic year for our DStv portfolio" said Lee Hobbs, channel director for Discovery Networks CEEMEA's Emerging Business region. "We have a huge line up of new shows across our DStv portfolio including the return of some of our most popular series as well as many new faces that we're certain are going to prove to be big hits in South Africa. With TLC and ID joining our channel lineup we really do now have a portfolio that appeals to every key demographic in the country."
Highlights on the flagship Discovery Channel announced include a new series featuring Ricky Gervais called 'An Idiot Abroad' which starts in December 2011 and sees the comic actor send a hapless mate on hilarious adventures all over the planet as part of a very alternative travelogue. Former England cricket captain, Freddie Flintoff, also comes to Discovery Channel in December with a new series entitled Freddie Flintoff Vs the World.
In January 2012, the channel introduces a new Must See Mondays primetime strand featuring many of the channel's biggest and most popular shows including new seasons of 'Gold Rush Alaska', 'Swamp Loggers and Swords'.
In Summer 2012 Discovery Channel's Extreme Fishing stunt will be back by popular demand with new seasons of 'River Monsters' and 'Robson Green's Extreme Fish Fight'. 'Life on The Edge Night' returns to screens in September with new seasons of 'Deadliest Catch' and 'Ultimate Survival'.
The channel rounds off 2012 with several series including 'Curiosity', which will be back for a second season with even more A-list celebrities going on journeys to answer some of life's big questions, such as Is There A Creator?
Highlights on the new female brand, TLC, which launches on DStv (channel 186), on Friday 14 October 2011, will include Wedding Month in May 2012 - a special season of all things bridal. Key shows will include: 'Say Yes to the Dress' and 'Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids', as well 'Rich Bride, Poor Bride' and 'Happily Ever Laughter'.
In May 2012, Animal Planet will be offering viewers a month of programmes exploring and celebrating the incredible diversity of Africa's animal kingdom. Africa Month will include series such as 'Escape to Chimp Eden' with South African conservationist, Eugene Cussons, 'World Wide Vet' filmed on location in Uganda and Animal Planet's own soap opera, 'Queens of the Savannah 2'.
Discovery Channel's blue-chip documentary channel, Discovery World, will be finishing 2011 with an line up of programmes including 'Marley's Africa Roadtrip', a series that follows the sons of music legend Bob Marley on a pilgrimage across South Africa in the footsteps of their father. In May 2012 the channel will host a special History of Flight season with shows exploring the history of aviation and the men and women who played a pivotal part in the development of air travel.
ID: Investigation Discovery, specialises in the best crime-related factual programming, also launching on Friday 14 October 2011 on DStv (channel 252) has a host of dramatic programmes and seasons in the pipeline for 2012. Highlights include All American Crime Season in April 2012 which will include a new series from award-winning crime author James Ellroy, called 'LA: City of Demons'. In February 2012, it may be Valentine's Day but ID will bring viewers a line-up of shows looking at the darker side of love including cult US hits, 'Crimes of Passion' and 'I Married A Mobster'.
