Genius distributes Animal Planet, TLC

Meerkat Manor, Trading Spaces included in expanded Discovery deal

By Marcy Magiera -- Video Business, 4/19/2007

APRIL 19 | Genius Products has expanded its distribution relationship with Discovery Communications to cover Discovery’s Animal Planet and TLC-branded DVDs.

Genius will release 12 titles a year across the brands beginning in the fourth quarter. Titles will be drawn from individual programs and series including Meerkat Manor; Puppy Bowl; Corwin’s Quest; Little People, Big World; Miami Ink; Trading Spaces and Take Home Chef.

The deal follows a Genius-Discovery distribution deal inked in October for Discovery Kids programming on DVD.

The deal adds to Genius’ growing clout in kidvid and what the company calls “lifestyle” brands. Genius also distributes titles from Sesame Workshop, Baby Genius, Classic Media and World Wrestling Entertainment.

“Animal Planet and TLC further strengthen the foundation of our important lifestyle vertical and expand our position as a leader in this category,” Genius chairman Stephen K. Bannon said in a statement. “We are constantly striving to expand the quality content we offer in the four verticals of sports, family/faith, lifestyle and independent film. This important new agreement with Discovery Communications solidifies them as a leading partner in two of our four main verticals.”