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The Daily OrangeHendricks details Discovery Channel documentary at SU
By Kimberley Banjoko
Posted: 10/21/09, 2:20 AM EST Section: News
John Hendricks, the man who founded the Discovery Channel, talked about the network's newest documentary series Tuesday in Hendricks Chapel, and explained how Syracuse University will be a part of the film series.
"Curiosity: The Questions of Our Life" will ask SU professors to answer seemingly simple questions. The network will broadcast 60 one-hour episodes, starting January 2011.
"Each episode will be devoted to one of the enduring questions of our modern times, like 'What is consciousness?' or 'What is gravity?'" Hendricks said.
Hendricks spoke at SU as part of the University Lectures program. In front of about 300 audience members, Hendricks discussed "Curiosity," and how he founded and developed the Discovery Channel and Discovery Communications.
For "Curiosity," SU faculty members will appear on camera answering these complex questions, along with a couple other university professors nationwide. Discovery chose SU faculty because of its staff and its high national academic rankings.
"We're very excited about this series," Hendricks said. "This was a treasure of info here at Syracuse University."
Hendricks discussed the start up of the Discovery Channel and the evolution of cable and television programming. The company originated in 1985 solely as the Discovery Channel, but due to popularity and profit, it expanded enormously. Today, Discovery Communications owns several networks, including the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Health Channel and the Travel Channel.
Amy Marturana, a sophomore broadcast journalism major who attended the lecture on Tuesday, said Hendricks seemed enthusiastic and immensely passionate about his company.
"I respect the Discovery Channel much more seeing how much the founder cares, and how passionate he is about his network," Marturana said.
When the lecture turned to how Hendricks started to build his cable company, he told the story of a Chinese dinner in the early 1980s. At that meal, Hendricks sat down with Bob Miron, now the head of Advance Newhouse Communications.
"Curiosity: The Questions of Our Life" will ask SU professors to answer seemingly simple questions. The network will broadcast 60 one-hour episodes, starting January 2011.
"Each episode will be devoted to one of the enduring questions of our modern times, like 'What is consciousness?' or 'What is gravity?'" Hendricks said.
Hendricks spoke at SU as part of the University Lectures program. In front of about 300 audience members, Hendricks discussed "Curiosity," and how he founded and developed the Discovery Channel and Discovery Communications.
For "Curiosity," SU faculty members will appear on camera answering these complex questions, along with a couple other university professors nationwide. Discovery chose SU faculty because of its staff and its high national academic rankings.
"We're very excited about this series," Hendricks said. "This was a treasure of info here at Syracuse University."
Hendricks discussed the start up of the Discovery Channel and the evolution of cable and television programming. The company originated in 1985 solely as the Discovery Channel, but due to popularity and profit, it expanded enormously. Today, Discovery Communications owns several networks, including the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Health Channel and the Travel Channel.
Amy Marturana, a sophomore broadcast journalism major who attended the lecture on Tuesday, said Hendricks seemed enthusiastic and immensely passionate about his company.
"I respect the Discovery Channel much more seeing how much the founder cares, and how passionate he is about his network," Marturana said.
When the lecture turned to how Hendricks started to build his cable company, he told the story of a Chinese dinner in the early 1980s. At that meal, Hendricks sat down with Bob Miron, now the head of Advance Newhouse Communications.
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