Discovery Channel Ranks #1 in Syndicated Cable Network Study for 20th Year in a Row

SILVER SPRING, Md., Sept. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Communications, the world's #1 nonfiction media company, announced today that its flagship channel, Discovery Channel, has earned top rankings in the 2013 Cable Subscriber Study – Evaluation of Basic Cable Networks, a syndicated cable network study from Beta Research Corporation, one of America's premier research companies.

For the 20th year in a row, Discovery Channel ranked #1 among total adults in importance to the enjoyment of cable, #1 (tie) for its average perceived value among total adults and #1 (tie) as a favorite basic cable channel. In a new study measure, Discovery Channel also ranked #1 as a favorite channel and #1 in importance to the enjoyment of cable, among adults who would definitely switch cable providers if the channel was dropped by its cable distributor.

Discovery Channel earned a number of additional notable accolades in the study. Among viewers 18+, Discovery Channel ranked 1^st or tied for 1^st in program quality and viewer satisfaction. Among viewers of TV on a smartphone or tablet and among heavy social media users, Discovery Channel also ranked 1^st or tied for 1^st on importance to the enjoyment of cable and as a favorite basic cable channel.

Discovery Communications' Animal Planet also earned high marks in the study. Animal Planet tied for 1^st for average viewer satisfaction score among female viewers. Among persons who would switch providers if a channel were dropped, Animal Planet tied for 2^nd on importance to the enjoyment of cable.

The announcement comes on the heels of Discovery Channel's ratings success in August, which became the most-watched month in network history. The network's combination of unparalleled real world content, including the iconic annual rite of summer Shark Week and Gold Rush: South America contributed to the ratings gains. Discovery Channel surged with 46% growth in P25-54, 49% increase in M25-54 and 38% increase in P2+ for the month overall.  Animal Planet also is experiencing ratings highs ranking 20^th among all ad-supported cable networks in August in delivery of M25-54, marking the eighth straight month as a top-20 network driven by hit series including Treehouse Masters, Gator Boys and Tanked.

About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 2 billion cumulative subscribers in over 220 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through more than 190  worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as U.S. joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Across the Nordic region, Discovery owns and operates SBS Discovery Media, a top-three portfolio of television brands that feature leading nonfiction content, as well as locally produced entertainment programs, sports and the best scripted series and movies from major studios. Discovery also owns Discovery Education, the leading provider of educational content and services to schools including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including Revision3. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

Source: 2013 Beta Research Cable Subscriber Evaluation Study

SOURCE Discovery Communications