DATA HARD: November 2014

Thursday, November 20, 2014

THE CASH CAB NETWORK GOES ALL IN- ON PRO WRESTLING.

Discovery Communications announced today that it has signed a multi-year deal with TNA (Total Nonstop Action) IMPACT WRESTLING to bring the popular league to homes nationwide on Destination America, the only network dedicated to celebrating the people, places and stories of the United States. Destination America officially enters the ring with its first world premiere of IMPACT WRESTLING in January 2015. The series features some of the biggest names in professional wrestling, including Jeff Hardy, Bobby Roode, Kurt Angle, Bobby Lashley and Gail Kim. The partnership includes the U.S. premieres of additional TNA WRESTLING series and specials and provides Discovery Communications with international broadcasting rights in select regions, to be announced at a later date.
"Our partnership in this uniquely entertaining franchise with TNA IMPACT WRESTLING provides a significant addition to Destination America's programming strategy," said Henry Schleiff, Group President of Destination America, Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel, Discovery Fit & Health and Discovery Family Channel. "The enduring, cross-generational enthusiasm of pro wrestling is felt by millions of fans around the country, from coast-to-coast and throughout the heartland. We are delighted to bring this beloved American pastime to the one and only network dedicated to celebrating the unique spirit of the U.S., Destination America."
"Our knockout partnership with TNA IMPACT WRESTLING continues Destination America's mission of bringing our viewers the best of all-American entertainment, and going center ring with one of the world's foremost professional wrestling leagues fits perfectly within our DNA," said Marc Etkind, general manager of Destination America. "Wrestling has created a fiercely loyal, passionate and widespread fan base, and we look forward to being part of the TNA family."
"We are very excited about Destination America being the new network for IMPACT WRESTLING and the partnership with Discovery Communications both domestically and across the globe. Their commitment to promote and grow our brand in innovative and compelling ways was instrumental in knowing we had found the right home," said TNA President Dixie Carter. "Together we will create an experience that takes our fans on a new journey that will push the envelope of technology, including where we take our cameras, going deeper into our superstars' lives and showing the reality of what it takes to create a weekly professional wrestling show, all while showcasing the very best male and female athletes in the world."
Since launching in 2012, Destination America has become one of cable's top five fastest-growing networks*, earning 10 consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth in Prime among P2+. With top series that explore unique American cultures and ways of life – including Mountain Monsters, A Haunting, Hillbilly Blood, Buying the Bayou, Buying Alaska, Ghost Asylum and BBQ Pitmasters – Destination America's programming spans the nation from Alaska, Hawaii and Colorado to Louisiana, West Virginia and communities in between. To find Destination America, the new home of TNA's IMPACT WRESTLING, go to destinationamerica.com/watchda.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

WORKOUT AND NEVER BEFORE SEEN FOOTAGE, TO SALVAGE EXPENDABLES 3 FIASCO.

The Expendables 3 Unrated Edition with the debut of The Expendables 3 inspired workouts premiering on the Scott Herman Fitness YouTube channel (part of the BeFit YouTube Network). Scott Herman, creator of one of the leading fitness channels for men on YouTube (with almost 640,000 subscribers), has developed workouts to motivate and inspire at-home fitness enthusiasts to get in shape like a true "Expendable." This partnership continues Lionsgate's objective of extending its marketing capabilities through YouTube channel integration to promote home entertainment releases and connect with new fans.
"With the never-before-seen unrated edition of The Expendables 3 promising even more action, more explosions, and well, even more muscles, a tie-in like this seemed like a fun approach to engage fans in an active way that connects to the big, bold action in the film," said Anne Parducci, Lionsgate EVP of Marketing. "Targeting the YouTube audience with creative integrations that pinpoint the viewers and their distinct interests is just one more way we are working to build the fan base for our films while creating a more unique home entertainment experience."
"Creating an 'at home' workout series for my fans just made sense to tie in with the home entertainment release of The Expendables 3 Unrated Edition," Herman stated. "Not only can you now bring home this action-packed film, I can also help bring home new ways to get into 'Expendables' shape. This is an exciting opportunity to promote even bigger action and bigger muscles – it is a perfect fit."
Scott Herman's YouTube channel will host The Expendables 3 workout-inspired series through the home entertainment release with five "in home" workouts, 10-15 minutes in length, posted every other day. The first workout will debut today, the same day as the Digital HD release of The Expendables 3 Unrated Edition, and roll out every other day leading up to the Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD release on November 25th which will end with a The Expendables 3 prize pack giveaway and the full series available online.
Also timed to the Digital HD release, the BeFit YouTube Channel (part of the BeFit YouTube Network) will feature clips with The Expendables 3 cast highlighting health or fitness tips on how to stay fit and in "Expendables" shape.
The first workout can be accessed here, http://www.youtube.com/user/ScottHermanFitness