Discovery Channel’s Producers Portal…. Any experience?

[Cynthia Dimaria]

we should talk. I did the same . not to the t but yes the same format.

[Paul Thurston]

Discovery (Discovery Networks, Discovery Channel, Discovery Communications and or similar), as a legal entity, exists primarily in the USA and Canada. They, the USA Corporation have nothing to do with they, the Canada Corporation. Both share the same Trade Mark, “Discovery.” This is important because if you’re going to sue, you have to understand who, in what country, stole what.

For example, the Canada Corp is open to receiving finished shows that are shot/edited in HDCAM or transferred to HDCAM from some other HD technology (not HDV.) They are not open to receiving finished shows in SD video.

The USA Corp is not open to accepting any programs, unless it comes from their known providers, which happen to set themselves up as a provider early in the decade. These shows have been market tested and proven to fit the marketing requirements of Discovery USA.

Neither of these Corporations, Canada Corp or USA Corp, are open to receiving show ideas that are not already in tangible form, tape, because they are not interested in financing any shows. They want somebody else to pay for the producing of these shows.

If your idea was “stolen,” it probably means the idea had already been submitted as a finished TV show by somebody prior to your submission. Again, because Discovery is not willing or able to finance anything that is not already edited and shot by somebody else. They, one of the two corporations, the USA Corp or the Canada Corp, may from time to time appear like they are making a show, but the reality is, it was paid for by somebody else (as a co production per se, between some government grant and or private grant from somewhere.)

Having said this, “Discovery” in any of its corporate structures does buy stuff from producers, and boy do they shop for shows at the Cannes Film Festival and similar. But they, the USA or Canada Corp, are shopping for finished/edited shows. They are not interested in ideas of shows… because they, the USA Corp or Canadian Corp do not have the human power to make such shows or the money to pay for the producing of such shows.

Discovery USA, may from time to time buy finished shows and re-edit them. These shows are made by others and sold, at a discount to Discovery USA or others, so Discovery USA may put it’s intro and ending. These shows fill up the programming requirements of the other properties (cable networks) Discovery owns in various other countries.

Now, having said this, the USA Corp does have “some” editing equipment. But this equipment is mostly Standard Definition stuff used to guaranty the shows they contract out fulfill broadcasting standards for NTSC.

Please be advised that Discovery, as a trademark, is used by many Corporations around the world, to buy and make available programming. That does not mean, these other Corporations have anything to do with the USA or Canada Corporations… they do not. The point is, if you’re going to sue, you have to make sure, again, who exactly stole what and in what country…

Now, what about the flagship shows of Discovery Network. Shows such as the Deadliest Catch and similar, don’t they, Discovery, own it. If you look at the credits, you will see who “in reality” made, the show. Discovery may have negotiated to “own” the show rights, but it’s shot/edited by an external production company. They, Canada Corp or USA Corp, may pay for these shows, but that’s an exception and not the norm.

Hope this helps

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Paul Thurston
Producer
Chile

[Cynthia Dimaria]

https://www.google.com/search?q=On+location+shoot+with+discovery+channel&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7ADSA_en Hi is is a link to few shows they are shooting or have shot. This is Usa not Canada. I submitted my work through the West Coast portal on there web site. Thank You for the information I will check up on it. Cynthia

[Mary Gerber]

Thank you for the insight!

What then, in your opinion, is the best way to utilize the producers portal?

Is there something in writing within the producers portal specs. where Discovery spells out to people who are submitting ideas that they really are not accepting ideas but finished programs? If there is, I missed it.

Thanks again!

[Mary Gerber]

Cynthia, may I email you privately?

[Paul Thurston]

Okay, the short answer is forget the Producer’s Portal for now. The Portal is setup primarily for “their” known providers and not “us.”

The “Discovery” known Providers have set themselves up in the past decade as Providers and the process to become a Provider is not automatic, it takes deep pockets. They, the Providers, too had to make shows at first that had next to no budget and had to Produce and Post Produce primarily out of “their” pockets.

A Provider also has to have Errors and Omission Insurance. This Insurance Policy is used to pay the Lawyers of “Discovery” when “Discovery” gets sued or is named in a lawsuit related to one of the shows they broadcast. EO insurance is expensive and its related costs come out the pocket of the Provider.

Discovery, via its many outlets and legal structures, is not the only “entity” that buys shows. But, your show must already be in tangible form, tape, for it to be considered by these “other” broadcasters. (Cannes film Festival is the place you set yourself up to sell your stuff.)

On a far side note, if you have deep pockets to Produce and Post Produce a series, of whatever genre, you probably then have enough money, or have access to enough money to actually negotiate free airtime on other outlets hungry for “free” shows that fit their marketing / programming requirements.

Mary Gerber asked:
“Is there something in writing within the producers portal specs. where Discovery spells out to people who are submitting ideas that they really are not accepting ideas but finished programs? If there is, I missed it.”

The info is not found in the Producer Portal website, since the portal is for those who already have a working relationship with Discovery.

Now, you will probably still make your show regardless. But the info I’ve provided is just to orient you into the realities of Production as it stands now.

———————————————–
Paul Thurston
Producer
Chile

[Tami Lynn]

Hi Mary,
I am one of those producers that would like for all producers that have been screwed by Discovery or National Geographic or any other network to come forward. My attorney suggest that a class action suit would be suggested. I was screwed by ‘E’ Channel in 2004, Discovery’s Animal Planet in June of 2010, and screwed by NatGeo Wild October 2010. If you or anyone who reads this wants to join together, please call me at 818-888-8264.
Thanks Tami Lynn

[Tami Lynn]

I am so sorry to hear how many producers projects are being stolen from Discovery. Discovery and National Geographic did the same to me. I am meeting with my attorney to discuss the ‘terms’ of the Discovery agreement that we all have to sign. To me, the Discovery’s introduction to producers sounds inviting. I even had words with the head of a department regarding these terms, and she answered…”Discovery would never steal another producer’s project, and if they are interested in the concept, you will definitely be notified.” This is a lie and if none of you do nothing about this, Discovery will continue. A reminder…in January 2010, the writers won their case against all the major networks and studios for 70M, and there is no reason not to at least hear what a litigation attorney advises. Producers…please contact me.
Tami Lynn
818-804-8264 cell

[Tami Lynn]

There are so many of us that have submitted our projects to the Discovery and National Geographic Portals and have received passes or even never heard back from them. Than months later we either see or hear about our exact project on their networks. I am exhausted from this and refuse to submit any further on these portals. However, I believe we should be heard. If there are any of you interested in speaking out on this subject and the injustice of it all, please connect with me. I feel this is an interesting topic for Piers Morgan. Tami Lynn

[Janice Celeste]

It’s happening to me right now. The show, a carbon copy of my idea even the exact title, is going to air on the 24th on a cable network. I ‘protected’ the idea, so I thought through WGA but it seems that ideas can’t really be protected and you have to find the person who stole the idea to get the smoking gun. There is a lot of turn over in these companies and anyone can take your idea someplace else after it was rejected in the Producer’s Portal.

If you make a pilot of the series, then you are more protected. I also recommend copyright. Best is to have representation – that’s the only way.