• June 6, 2008

Xif communications, an interactive and software development firm, worked with Discovery Communications to develop and launch an online portal for voting members of The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to view Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and TLC programming for Emmy nomination consideration.

Every year, content providers spend countless dollars on the production and shipping of lavish DVD sets containing programming for Emmy nomination consideration to the members of the Television Academy. In an effort to both save money and address environmental concerns, a handful of broadcast networks and producers have switched to the less expensive and packaging-free option of creating an online destination for Emmy voters to comfortably and easily view programming.

The Discovery Emmy site features a rich interactive experience, with a custom media player and high-quality video for an assortment of content from Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet. In all, 19 different programs across the three channels are featured on the site, including "Deadliest Catch," "Dirty Jobs," "Expedition Alaska," "Orangutan Island," "Meerkat Manor" and "Little People Big World." Included for each program is a synopsis, credits and the Emmy categories for each program. Links to special sections on the main Discovery Web site are also featured.

In addition, for every Emmy voter who logs in to the site, Discovery will donate $1 to The Nature Conservancy's "Plant a Billion Trees Campaign," a partnership with Planet Green. Emmy voters received a simple postcard providing the site's URL as well as a username and password.

--Tanya Irwin