Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Philips has agreed an extensive brand sponsorship agreement with Discovery Networks Europe, a division of leading global real-world media company Discovery Communications, for on-air, online and off-air promotional support of Discovery's landmark new high definition series, Discovery ATLAS.
As a platform for Philips' range of HD-ready Ambilight FlatTV sets, Philips will be the on-air sponsor of Discovery ATLAS as it is broadcast on Discovery Channel over three months between October and December 2006, being seen across 105 countries within Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Philips will receive branding of all on-and-off air promotion for Discovery ATLAS and will sponsor a 60-second vignette charting the technological evolution of the television set from the its origins in the 1930s up to the present day. Created in high definition format by the independent production house 'angelfish', the vignette will be placed around the transmission of Discovery ATLAS.
In addition, an on-air competition will offer viewers the opportunity to win a Philips HD FlatTV with Ambilight, driving viewers to enter via a dedicated Discovery ATLAS microsite of which Philips is the sole sponsor.
Philips and Discovery will also extend the high-definition experience to consumers in retail outlets by showcasing Discovery ATLAS content on in-store Philips FlatTVs. Consumers will have a chance to preview Discovery ATLAS and see how this vivid series perfectly showcases the breathtaking clarity HDTV has to offer.
Filmed entirely in high definition, Discovery ATLAS documents some of the world's most fascinating countries with unprecedented depth and clarity. Combining documentary film-making of the highest quality with the amazing detail and breathtaking clarity of HD, Discovery ATLAS takes viewers right into the heart of countries including China, Brazil, Australia and Italy through the combination of personal stories and spectacular imagery.
The stunning photography and cutting-edge special effects of Discovery ATLAS are a perfect compliment to Philips HD-ready Ambilight FlatTVs. Ambilight brings a completely new dimension to watching TV, creating an immersive viewing experience through a revolutionary technique which matches the colour and brightness in the images being displayed on the television's screen. This year Philips is adding two new versions of Ambilight - Ambilight Full surround, which projects ambient light on all four sides of the set, and Ambilight Surround which features lighting units on three sides.
Reinier Jens, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Philips Consumer Electronics added: "Philips is at the forefront of providing viewers with the most advanced high definition TV product ranges on the market. Discovery ATLAS, with its breathtaking imagery creates the perfect environment to showcase the features of our HD-ready Ambilight HD flat FlatTV's with Ambilight. We are proud to be partnering with Discovery who have been industry pioneers in the production of high-quality factual HD since the launch of its first HD channel in 2002."
Monica Mather, Vice President, International Adsales, Discovery Networks Europe commented: "Discovery ATLAS is one of the most ambitious high-definition projects ever undertaken and our international strength and leadership in HD makes us the perfect partner for Philips to promote its new HDTV with Ambilight. We currently have four new episodes of Discovery ATLAS in production and are committed to developing Discovery ATLAS as a global flagship television event. This partnership creates the ultimate immersive HD viewing experience for consumers. "
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About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of EUR 30.4 billion in 2005. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 158,000 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
About Discovery Communications, Inc.
Discovery Communications is the leading global real-world media company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in 170 countries and territories with nearly 1.4 billion cumulative subscribers. Discovery Networks International offers 17 television brands, reaching 687 million cumulative subscribers. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 12 Discovery brands reach 183.5 million cumulative subscribers in 104 countries with programming available in 22 languages. Discovery Communications is owned by four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.
For further information please contact:
Galia Rizk- PR Manager
Philips Electronics Middle East & Africa
Tel: +971 4 3095155
Mob: +971 50 625 82 03
Email: galia.rizk@philips.com
© Press Release 2006
