Discovery, TEN Partnering on Auto Streaming Service

Discovery Communications, in a joint venture with TEN: The Enthusiast Network (TEN), is creating an automobile content-centric TEN that combines Discovery's Velocity automotive network with TEN's automotive digital, direct-to-consumer, social and live event content, as well as TEN's Motor Trend YouTube channel and over-the-top service, Discovery said in a news release Thursday. Discovery said it will have majority control of the venture and an option to acquire 100 percent. TEN's print business won't be part of the joint venture, though the agreement will allow cross-promotion, Discovery said. The deal will see Velocity content added to TEN's Motor Trend OnDemand subscription VOD service, making it Discovery's first direct-to-consumer push, the company said. It said Discovery Chief Commercial Officer Paul Guyardo will be CEO and chairman of the joint venture, with TEN President Scott Dickey and Bob Scanlon, who will be president of Velocity and TEN Video Content, reporting to him.