This press release details how cable TV's The Discovery Channel is launching the Planet Green Channel- and they're reportedly going to help tornado-battered Greensburg-KS rebuild.
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Discovery Communications has partnered
with actor Leonardo DiCaprio on an environment-focused series that will help launch the company's Planet Green channel.
The 13-part series, "Eco-Town," will chronicle the rebuilding of the small town of Greensburg, Kan., which was devastated by a tornado May 4. The town, which has more than 1,500 residents, will be rebuilt as a "sustainable model of eco-living and one that will save it from future environmental catastrophe."
The project was brought to Discovery by DiCaprio, a noted environmentalist, and Craig Piligiann of Pilgrim Films & Television. DiCaprio will executive produce through his company, Appian Way, along with Piligian and Discovery Studios.
DiCaprio also will serve on the board of advisers for Planet Green, which is launching in first-quarter 2008 (The company's Discovery Home Channel is being rebranded as the eco-friendly network.)
Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav made the announcement Friday during the company's portion of the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.
"The centerpiece of the launch of Planet Green is going to be our effort to help the governor of Kansas and the town of Greensburg, Kan., to rebuild that town green," he said, adding that the environment has been a focus of Discovery since its inception. "It's not just about entertainment; we're going to put our resources into Greensburg and Planet Green and try to make a difference."
Zaslav added that he intends to put more money into producing higher-quality programming for all Discovery networks. In particular, he said, more money and effort will be devoted to the Science Channel, which he said could become a top 10 cable network as well as a successful channel globally.
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