How did EarthxTV start?
EarthxTV is an entertainment network dedicated to informing and inspiring people and organizations to take action toward a more sustainable future. EarthxTV began during COVID, an opportunity to connect people worldwide who attended the annual EarthX Expo in Dallas TX. The reception blew us away, and the television network grew out of this opportunity. EarthxTV officially launched in 2022 with a slate of expanding programming. We’re now available in the U.S., U.K./Ireland, Europe, and Mexico, with more territories. Honestly, I’m blown away by the positive reception to the network from distributors, producers, and audiences. As an independent network, we need every door we can open to make this a success.
What are the most important lessons learned from your time at networks like Discovery, TLC and Travel Channel?
Be a disruptor. Don’t try to duplicate what others are doing, be open to changing the model. Animal Planet is a great example; we didn’t want to be a documentary channel, so we borrowed from successful nonfiction genres and applied it to the animal world. We knew our audience loved animals and wanted to be entertained, so we experimented with formats, launched great shows, and nurtured undiscovered talent, including Steve Irwin and ‘The Crocodile Hunter.’ We even convinced Judge Wapner to come out of retirement to host Animal Court. While EarthxTV is still in its infancy, we know we need a unique approach to building the brand.
Why focus on cable when others are turning to OTT?
EarthxTV is dedicated to informing and inspiring people and organizations to take action toward a more sustainable future. Our vision is to be a globally recognized brand, and the most expedient way to launch and grow quickly was with premium cable and satellite providers. Our partners in the U.S. DirecTV, Charter and NCTC have embraced us and believe we bring value to their subscribers. We’re grateful for their support and partnership. We have plans to expand our footprint to be available everywhere audiences are including OTT, and we’re already on FUBO in the U.S.
A seasoned television executive, Dan Russell has been a key part of multiple management teams responsible for launching and reformatting television channels in the U.S. and internationally, including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Velocity, Discovery International, and Poker Central. Prior to EarthxTV he was VP of Global Channel Management at CuriosityStream, launching the linear channel and digital/VOD offerings globally. He also served as Senior Vice President of Content Development at New Dominion Pictures.
