One of Trina McQueen’s overriding concerns as she sets out to cull programming toward the launch of The Discovery Channel is to let people know she and her staff want a light touch. ‘We appreciate wit, we appreciate style and an energetic approach,’ says McQueen, who has been promoted to become the channel’s president. ‘We’re going to be dealing with a lot of very serious subjects’ – nature and the environment, science and technology and adventure and world cultures – ‘so we’re looking for a light touchÉ.credibility and integrity, yes, but we want people to be entertained,’ not to be drenched in earnestness.

At the time of this writing, Discovery’s full-time staff numbered two: McQueen and her assistant. McQueen was in the process of recruiting a vice-president of marketing and had yet to determine what form the marketing and promotional launches would take. She intends to use half a dozen program consultants for the first few months to help fill in her schedule before hiring full-time programmers. She is also recruiting a vice-president of production and operations.

Notes for program producers looking to pitch to Discovery:

– The channel will, McQueen says, be ‘bloody minded’ about sticking to its themes;

– Discovery will produce a handbook for producers, ‘a bible for program types’;

– Since the crtc issued a six- rather than a seven-year licence, Discovery has lowered its commitment for spending on Canadian content accordingly, to $80 million over the period; Cancon level is to be 60%, of which 75% will come from indie producers;

– Licence fees will range from $30,000-$60,000 per hour;

– The NFB Showcase will likely involve second or third window material; the window of other segments will be determined by how much first-window material can be readied by launch time;

– Discovery has acquisition and coproduction arrangements with the National Film Board and tvo wherein producers at these two organizations will oversee any coproductions with Discovery;

– In-house production will include a one-hour topical show on Discovery’s themes, Canada Magazine (working title), including contributions from independents such as short documentaries and feature items; this will encourage first-time filmmakers;

– The Canadian Specials series (one- or two-hour installments) won’t be launched until year two of the licence period and will become more frequent over time, as often as once a month by year four;

– Inexperienced producers are encouraged to work with an experienced executive producer to guarantee both program quality and on-time delivery;

– Discovery’s productions will be put together in its new ‘state-of-the-art’ broadcast center in North York, Ont., including studios and post facilities dedicated to its use; McQueen says producers will have access to these facilities;

– New programming airs from noon to midnight; other times, repeats will be the main fare.

Miscellaneous: if Discovery gains basic cable carriage, consumers will pay 36 cents; if it’s on a tier, the charge will be 45 cents.

Discovery Channel

2225 Sheppard Ave. E.,

Suite 100

North York, Ont. M2J 5C2

Phone: (416) 494-8222

Fax: (416) 490-7028

Contact: Trina McQueen