Discovery+, the definitive non-fiction subscription streaming service and NowThis, the no.1 most-watched mobile news brand globally [Tubular Labs, June 2020], will partner on ACTION PLANET, a new series produced by NowThis Earth, the recently launched NowThis vertical that focuses on planetary emergencies. Debuting on discovery+ on April 22nd – Earth Day – the mid-form series will highlight the work of high-profile changemakers including Common, Jane Fonda, Matt Damon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Adrian Grenier, and Greta Thunberg.
In addition to streaming ACTION PLANET on discovery+, viewers can join the conversation on social media by using #ActionPlanet and following @discovery on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and @discoveryplus on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.
ACTION PLANET, a discovery+ original, will explore how some of the world’s most well-known figures are stepping up to make a difference in the world and inspiring audiences to take action. Each 8-12 minute episode features an interview with a high-profile celebrity activist talking about organizations – including Matt Damon’s Water.org, Jane Fonda’s Fire Drill Fridays, and Adrian Grenier’s Lonely Whale, – they’ve co-founded or support that are making an impact today.
“It is encouraging to see these environmental activists use their celebrity to shine a light on some of the most pressing issues of our time,” says Scott Lewers, Executive Vice President of Multiplatform Programming, Factual & Head of Content, Science. “We are thrilled to leverage our new streaming platform to highlight the important work these activists and their organizations are doing to galvanize people around the globe to do their part in keeping our planet – and the beautiful creatures who inhabit it – safe and healthy.”
“The planet’s ongoing climate crisis and environmental justice are important issues to the passionate and engaged NowThis audience,” said NowThis President Athan Stephanopoulos. “We are excited to partner with Discovery and celebrity changemakers to spotlight ways that audiences can take action to combat the human impact on our planet.”
“Our top priority at Lonely Whale is to encourage behavioral change away from single-use plastics so that we course correct towards healthy, thriving oceans,” said Adrian Grenier, Actor-Activist and Co-Founder of Lonely Whale. “Discovery and NowThis have created a visually compelling series profiling real planetary emergencies. We’re grateful to use this new platform to educate viewers about our mission and to inspire people to make a real difference.”
Young audiences are deeply engaged with coverage of the climate crisis and the issues impacting our planet. NowThis audiences are five times more likely to engage with sustainability-focused coverage than any other topic, and in the last year, NowThis audiences have racked up more than 600 million video views on coverage of the issue.
As a leader in natural history programming, Discovery will use its linear and streaming platforms to bring attention to our beautiful world with a month-long celebration of the Earth and all of the wildlife that call it home. Alongside ACTION PLANET, discovery+ will launch EXPEDITION DEEP OCEAN, FIRST TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD, THE SWIM, and CHASING OCEAN GIANTS. Discovery Channel will air marathons of the Emmy-nominated series SERENGETI and A PERFECT PLANET while Animal Planet will highlight the natural world with airings of NORTH AMERICA.
In addition to ACTION PLANET, NowThis Earth’s extended programming for Earth Day will include coverage of issues ranging from tighter border policies leaving migrants vulnerable to the effects of climate change to equity in the outdoors. NowThis Earth will also release a special episode of its popular series One Small Step, providing its audience with the tools and steps to be better stewards of the planet.
