(Silver Spring, MD) In an announcement made last night by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Interactive Media Peer Group Governors, Discovery Channel’s Skywire Live with Nik Wallenda has been honored with an Emmy Award in the category of Multiplatform Storytelling. The robust multiplatform experience that accompanied the global television event was executive produced by Discovery Channel in conjunction with Discovery Digital Media and the Discovery Agency’s Interactive team.
On June 23, 2013, seventh-generation high-wire artist Nik Wallenda became the first person to walk across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope without a net as 13 million total viewers P2+ tuned in during the walk. Digital and social were at the core of the approach to the landmark event, with SkywireLive.com as the go-to destination leading up to, during and after the walk. The site featured compelling video, a 360-degree “Take the Walk” interactive and Wired In, the multiplatform companion experience that invited viewers "backstage" with host Chris Jacobs providing real-time social updates during programming breaks and five additional camera angles during the walk. The Skywire Live effort also encouraged audiences around the world to cheer Wallenda on, with many fan Tweets featured live on air that evening.
“At Discovery, digital and social media are integral to the viewer experience, and the team effort around Skywire Live helped us reach new heights. The collaboration required across teams and disciplines to deliver this jaw-dropping experience was seamless, and we are honored that the Academy has recognized our efforts,” said Guhan Selvaretnam, Senior Vice President of Digital Media, Discovery Communications. “For one night in June of 2013, the entire world held their breath as Nik Wallenda attempted the unfathomable and Discovery delivered an unprecedented multiplatform experience.”
“Skywire Live with Nik Wallenda was a ground-breaking, multiplatform event that gave our audience a front row seat to one of the most epic events ever witnessed,” said Scott Lewers, Senior Vice President of Programming, Discovery Channel. “This was a truly personalized experience – allowing our audience to take each step along with Nik on his tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon. We are humbled by this recognition from the TV Academy.”
While Wallenda successfully broke a world record, Discovery smashed live television, social media and digital records, driving 1.3 million Tweets the day of the walk, with Twitter volume peaking at 39,618 Tweets/minute. Skywire Live generated numerous Worldwide, U.S. and other national Twitter Trending Topics, while the SkywireLive.com site brought in 2.9 million visitors the day of the walk and generated more than 2.1 million streams.
About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 224 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 pay-TV programmer reaching 2.7 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity, engaging and entertaining viewers with high-quality content on worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery and Science, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery also controls Eurosport International, a premier sports entertainment group, including six pay-TV network brands across Europe and Asia. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.