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(Silver Spring, Md.) Discovery Communications, Inc. ("Discovery" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009.  The discussion below assumes the transaction between Discovery Holding Company ("DHC"), Discovery Communications Holding, LLC ("DCH"), and Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership that resulted in Discovery becoming a public company, as described in the Other Items section, occurred on January 1, 2008, and as such includes 100% of Discovery's results.

David Zaslav, Discovery's President and Chief Executive Officer, said "Discovery's second quarter results demonstrate our ability to execute on our business plan and strategic initiatives in a difficult operating environment.  We delivered 12% ratings growth across our domestic networks and increased international subscribers 11% while offsetting our continued investment in programming with reductions to the selling, general and administrative cost base. The result was demonstrable operating leverage, with Adjusted OIBDA growth of 13% despite the challenging economy and adverse foreign currency fluctuations.  At the same time, we took several strategic steps to better position the Company including partnering with Hasbro on a new children's venture and monetizing an underutilized part of our valuable distribution platform.  We also considerably strengthened our balance sheet, paying down $772 million in debt and reducing our leverage to 2.5 times, providing us additional financial flexibility.  While the operating environment remains uncertain, with a strengthened balance sheet, operational momentum and sustained operating leverage, we expect to continue to deliver on our commitments to shareholders in the second half of 2009."

Second quarter revenues of $881 million were down slightly compared with the second quarter a year ago as 2% growth at U.S. Networks was offset by a 5% decline at International Networks, primarily the result of a $34 million unfavorable impact from foreign currency fluctuations.  Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization ⁽¹⁾ ("OIBDA") grew 13% to $381 million, driven by a 11% increase at U.S. Networks partially offset by a 5% decline at International Networks due primarily to a $12 million unfavorable impact from foreign currency fluctuations. Total company Adjusted OIBDA margin increased to 43% for the second quarter from 38% for the same period a year ago.  

Second quarter net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. stockholders of $183 million ($0.43 per share) increased $140 million compared to $43 million ($0.16 per share) for the second quarter a year ago.  The increased results primarily reflect the $45 million growth in Adjusted OIBDA and a net of tax gain of $46 million as a result of the sale of 50% of the Discovery Kids channel.  

Free cash flow was $166 million for the second quarter, an increase of $71 million from the second quarter of 2008.   Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities less acquisitions of property and equipment.