Discovery Communications launches new multimedia publishing unit.

BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 1994--Discovery Communications Inc., the parent company of The Discovery Channel and The Learning Cannel, has created a new business unit to aggressively build the Discovery brand in the multimedia software market.

The unit will use cutting-edge technology to create interactive experiences and adventures for the computer by combining its original concepts with the company's extensive library of documentary product.

The announcement was made Monday during a press briefing in New York City by John Hendricks, chairman, founder and chief executive officer of the Bethesda-based Discovery Communications Inc.

Under the direction of Thomas A. Porter, who was named publisher and general manager today, Discovery Multimedia will publish at least 12 CD-ROM titles in 1995, more than doubling its 1994 output.

Focusing on three product categories -- family reference, children's and real-world adventure games -- Discovery Multimedia unveiled several of its 1995 software titles, including its first full-screen, full-motion-video MPEG product and its first adventure game derived from The Learning Channel's highly acclaimed Connections2 series, hosted by James Burke.

In addition, the new unit will expand distribution around the world and to the U.S. education market.

"Enriching interactive experiences are driving Discovery Communications' vision of the future of entertainment," said Hendricks.

"Over the next five years, Discovery Multimedia will aggressively build a wide range of software products, taking Discovery's reputation for high-quality storytelling and brilliant film and video production one giant step closer to the interactive future, leveraging the medium to its fullest."

Porter added: "Discovery Multimedia is committed to building original, creative interactive experiences that provide informative and engaging programming to explorers of all ages. To best achieve our goals, we will work with the finest software designers and developers.

In addition, as a publisher, we are looking for high-quality Discovery experiences from potential affiliate partners."

Currently, the roster of software developers working on Discovery Multimedia titles includes Crawford Communications, T/Maker, Human Code and Luminaria.

In January, Discovery's sixth CD-ROM, Wings Over Europe, will be available in stores across the country.

During the first half of 1995, Discovery will release many new titles including a video screensaver called Virtual Discovery, two new interactive journey titles based on programming concepts from The Discovery Channel -- Nile: Passage to Egypt and Ocean Planet -- and the company's second Ready, Set, Learn! kids title, Professor Iris Fun Field Trip: Seaside Adventure.

In addition, Discovery's award-winning premiere CD-ROM, In the Company of Whales, will be re-released in two upgraded versions: for MAC and full-screen, full-motion video for MPEG. All future titles will be released on both MAC and Windows platforms.

"First and foremost, we are a content company," said Porter. "As new multimedia platforms gain significant penetration into the marketplace, we will develop and publish product for them."

Discovery currently sells five CD-ROM titles in approximately 7,000 retail stores across the U.S.: the critically acclaimed, award-winning In the Company of Whales (Windows); Beyond Planet Earth (Windows); Normandy: The Great Crusade (Windows), which was a finalist for PC Computing's 1994 Most Valuable Product award; Sharks! (Windows and MAC); and the company's first Ready, Set, Learn! title, Professor Iris, Fun Field Trip: Animal Safari (Windows and MAC).

All titles have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $49.95.

Discovery Communications Inc. (DCI) is a privately held, diversified media company headquartered in Bethesda, and comprised of four shareholders -- Tele-Communications Inc., Cox Cable Communications, Newhouse Broadcasting Corp. and John S. Hendricks.

Anchored by Discovery Networks, which consists of The Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel, DCI also operates businesses in multimedia, home video and international distribution and syndication.

CONTACT: Discovery Multimedia, Bethesda

              Vicki Stern, 301/986-1999, ext. 5436
              Internet:  [e-mail]
                   or
              Alexander Communications, Atlanta
              Sandra Moreland, 404/325-7555
              CompuServe:  72662,1201