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ANIMAL PLANET GREENLIGHTS SECOND SEASON OF “DODO HEROES” FROM GROUP NINE’S THE DODO

February 19, 2019

Contact - Paul Schur
Group VP, Communications
212.548.5588

ANIMAL PLANET GREENLIGHTS SECOND SEASON OF “DODO HEROESFROM GROUP NINE’S THE DODO 

Animal Planet has greenlit Season Two of DODO HEROES. The series, which spotlights the powerful bonds between animals and humans, features inspiring stories of animals from around the world and those who go to unimaginable lengths to help and protect them. DODO HEROES Season Two, featuring all-new animal stories and heroes, will premiere in 2019. 

The premiere of DODO HEROES in 2018 marked the Dodo’s first-ever linear TV series premiere and Animal Planet’s first ever global series launch and proved to deliver new audiences to the network with 1 in 5 viewers of the series being new to Animal Planet. DODO HEROES also brought new audiences to The Dodo, with an increase in traffic through search for Dodo Heroes content on The Dodo’s YouTube channel during the season. At the completion of its U.S. season run, across Animal Planet and Dodo platforms, DODO HEROES content delivered 36MM worldwide viewers and 738MM social impressions.

“We’re so thrilled with the success of season one and looking forward to continuing our partnership with Animal Planet,” said Izzie Lerer, Founder & Chief Creative Officer of The Dodo. “We have a group of incredible people and animals to highlight throughout season two and are so grateful for the opportunity to be able to share their inspirational stories.”

“We are delighted to partner with The Dodo for a new season of this wonderful series. Viewers from all around the world responded so well to the inspiring stories which showed just how powerful and heartwarming the relationship between animals and the people who dedicate their lives to their care can be.  This season’s stories promise to be just as compelling,” said Susanna Dinnage, Global President of Animal Planet.  

Among other stories last season, DODO HEROES featured Derrick Campana, one of only a handful of people in the world who specialize in designing prosthetics and orthotic braces for animals, and his work with Jabu, a 30-year-old bull elephant living in Botswana who had a life-threatening leg injury; Dr. Ali Bee, a veterinarian with Magnetic Island Koala Hospital in Australia, and her family who fight to save Australia’s rapidly declining koala population; the work of British Marine Pen Farthing and his girlfriend Hannah Surowinski who run Nowzad, Afghanistan’s first and only official animal sanctuary; and Jan Creamer and Tim Phillips of Animal Defenders International (ADI) who have helped ban the animal circus industry in over 40 countries.

DODO HEROES launched globally to Animal Planet in more than 205 countries and territories and at the completion of its U.S. season run reached 36MM worldwide viewers. In the U.S., the series outperformed the network’s freshmen series average by double-digits (+12%). Top markets around the world where the series delivered double and triple-digit ratings increases for Animal Planet included EMEA (UK, Denmark); Nordic (Denmark); LATAM (Argentina); and APAC (Australia). 

DODO HEROES is produced for Animal Planet by Group Nine Studios and The Dodo, in partnership with Nomadica Films.  

 

About The Dodo

The Dodo is the number one digital media brand for animal people. The Dodo is a mission-driven publisher -- we tell stories that connect people to animals and empower people to help animals in need. We’re committed to looking at the world through animals’ eyes and engaging our audience through a combination of entertaining, uplifting, meaningful content that inspires people and helps pave the way for progress. The Dodo is part of Group Nine Media -- a top 10 global publisher.

About Animal Planet 

Animal Planet, one of Discovery, Inc.’s great global brands, is dedicated to creating high quality content with global appeal delivering on its mission to keep the childhood joy and wonder of animals alive by bringing people up close in every way. Available to 360 million homes in more than 205 countries and territories, Animal Planet combines content that explores the undeniable bonds forged between animals and humans, optimized across all screens around the world. In the U.S., Animal Planet audiences can enjoy their favorite programming anytime, anywhere through the Animal Planet Go app which features live and on-demand access. For more information, please visit www.animalplanet.com.

About Discovery

Discovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is a global leader in real life entertainment, serving a passionate audience of superfans around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains. Discovery delivers over 8,000 hours of original programming each year and has category leadership across deeply loved content genres around the world. Available in 220 countries and territories and nearly 50 languages, Discovery is a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens, including TV Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio of apps and Discovery Kids Play; direct-to-consumer streaming services such as Eurosport Player and Motor Trend OnDemand; digital-first and social content from Group Nine Media and a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour to create the Global Home of Golf. Discovery’s portfolio of premium brands includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Motor Trend, Animal Planet, and Science Channel, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. For more information, please visit https://corporate.discovery.com/ and follow @DiscoveryIncTV across social platforms. OnDemand; digital-first and social content from Group Nine Media and a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour to create the Global Home of Golf. Discovery’s portfolio of premium brands includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Turbo/Velocity, Animal Planet, and Science Channel, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. For more information, please visit www.corporate.discovery.com  and follow @DiscoveryIncTV across social platforms.