East Rutherford, NJ - February 8, 2006 - Transportation retail specialist Hudson Group has signed an agreement with Discovery Commerce, the retail and licensing arm of leading global real-world media company Discovery Communications, to open and operate Discovery Channel Airport Stores in airports across the United States and Canada. The specific airport locations will be announced in the coming weeks.
The partnership leverages Hudson's expertise as an airport retailer to build awareness for Discovery's brands and networks, and expands the reach of Discovery's award-winning product lines to millions of travelers who pass through North American airports every day.
Joseph DiDomizio, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Hudson Group said: "Discovery's programming themes have inspired a wide range of high-quality lifestyle merchandise. Their most successful lines – innovative products for kids, leading edge technology and gadgets, health and wellness products, and compelling content for home entertainment – resonate strongly with frequent travelers. Through their merchandise and brand-focused presentation, the new airport stores will create a virtual Discovery experience and enable our customers to conveniently obtain items suggested by their favorite Discovery Channel programs."
"Hudson's successful track record in airport retailing speaks for itself – the company has been a driving force in changing the face of airport concessions," said Frank Rosales, Discovery Commerce president. "We are excited to partner with Hudson to help build on the success our retail business enjoyed in 2005, and give even more consumers access to our high-quality, award-winning products."
Successful Brands
The Discovery Channel Stores' merchandise selection is inspired by the programming genres found in the Discovery family of networks. The assortment is anchored by an award-winning line of Discovery-designed children's products sold under the Discovery Kids, Ready Set Learn! and Discovery Grow Toys brands. Adult-oriented merchandise is offered as well, including state-of-the-art consumer electronics, health and wellness products, cycling gear inspired by the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, and an array of fan-focused merchandise from Monster Garage, Miami Ink and American Chopper.
With its vast library of compelling real-world content, Discovery is a leading provider of DVDs in core genres, including current series and network specials produced by Discovery Networks.
Discovery Channel Airport Stores will present a look and feel very similar to Discovery's mall-based stores, and will feature a merchandise assortment drawn from Discovery's existing product lines.
About Hudson Group: Hudson Group is a privately held corporation that operates more than 450 premier specialty retail shops, newsstands and bookstores in 65 airports and transportation terminals throughout North America. The company's flagship concept, Hudson News, is North America's only national newsstand brand. Under the familiar blue sign can be found the most complete selection of magazines in the aviation industry, along with newspapers and a wide variety of travelers' necessities, snacks and bottled soft drinks. Hudson Group specialty retail shops include such proprietary brands as Hudson Booksellers, Kids Works, Euro Cafe, $10/$15 Boutique, and more. Other national brands partnering with Hudson Group include Crabtree & Evelyn, Godiva Chocolatier, Roots, House of Blues and Quiznos.
About Discovery Communications: Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 160 countries and territories with 1.3 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI's over 100 networks of distinctive programming represent 27 network entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Español, Discovery Kids En Español, Discovery HD Theater, FitTV, Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir), Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Real Time. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates more than 100 Discovery Channel Stores in the U.S. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.