DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF ESPRESSO EDUCATION
-- Purchase Highlights Discovery Education’s Commitment to Transforming Teaching And Learning In The United States And Around The World --
November 7, 2013
Silver Spring, Md. (November 7, 2013) Discovery Communications announced today it has acquired U.K. market leader Espresso Group Limited, a top provider of primary school digital education content. Discovery Education, Discovery Communications' education division and the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms in the U.S., will oversee the business. Terms were not disclosed.
The acquisition is part of Discovery Communications' overall expansion strategy for Discovery Education. Already, more than one million teachers serving over 35 million students use Discovery Education's high quality digital resources, professional development, and networking opportunities to create authentic learning environments that engage today's students. The purchase of Espresso Education highlights Discovery Education's commitment to supporting educators in the United States and around the world as they transition from static textbooks to dynamic digital learning environments.
Another important driver of the division's continued growth is the further expansion of the award-winning digital textbook series, Discovery Education Techbook. Discovery Education is a pioneer in the digital textbook space, beginning with the launch of this revolutionary digital textbook series in the fall of 2011. Proven to increase student engagement and achievement, Discovery Education now offers a full range of Techbooks, including K-12 Science, Middle School Social Studies and for the 2014-2015 school year, will expand to include a series of Math Techbooks. Designed to replace traditional textbooks as a primary resource for instruction and to provide interactive, experiential learning, Discovery Education's Techbook is one of the first digital textbooks adopted in multiple U.S. states. More than 600,000 students across 41 states, as well as the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario in Canada, currently engage with Discovery Education's Techbook series.
"For more than 10 years, Discovery Education has been committed to transforming teaching and learning across the United States with the highest quality, standards-based digital content, unparalleled professional development and the largest networking and learning community of its kind," said Bill Goodwyn, CEO of Discovery Education. "The acquisition of Espresso Education expands this commitment and is part of our ongoing effort to speed the transition from static textbooks to dynamic digital content in the United States and around the world."
In the 16 years since its founding, Espresso Education has become a leader in e-learning, transforming the way students learn through a blend of visual media and interactive resources. Espresso Education serves nearly 50 percent of primary schools in the U.K. with its Espresso Primary services, as well as a number of school systems in the United States.
"We welcome the educators using Espresso's services to the Discovery Education family," added Scott Kinney, Senior Vice President of Discovery Education. "We share a common goal: to transform teaching and learning to positively impact student achievement. We look forward to partnering with the users of Espresso's services on this mission and to providing them the high quality resources and support they need to build the authentic digital learning environments our students need and deserve."
To learn more about the Discovery Education Techbook series or other Discovery Education services and initiatives, visit www.discoveryeducation.com.
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 is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including Revision3. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Available in over half of all U.S. schools, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com