Imagine that!
Discovery Communications will team up with powerhouse Hollywood producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer to create scripted dramas for the Web, The Post has learned.
The two executives — whose Imagine Entertainment is behind a raft of hits including films “A Beautiful Mind” and “Frost/Nixon” and TV show “24” — will form a joint venture with Discovery, called New Form, to create the shows for Discovery Digital Networks, and others.
New Form, not directly associated with Imagine, is also backed by talent agency CAA.
The firm has already hired former YouTube executive Kathleen Grace to serve as chief creative officer, sources said.
Howard is expected at Discovery’s upfront presentation Thursday at New York’s Lincoln Center. During upfront presentations, cable and broadcast networks pitch Madison Avenue to grab a slice of the $70 billion TV ad pie, which is being increasingly diced between traditional TV and online ventures.
Discovery Communications has a host of digital channels, including a science-themed outlet called TestTube.
Discovery CEO David Zaslav is also getting into bed with Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter. The Discovery boss is expected to unveil the fruits of a new partnership that will see “Vanity Fair Confidential” debut on the crime-themed Investigation Discovery channel.
Also expected to attend the high-wattage event are Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, who will chat about their progress at Oprah’s growing cable network, OWN.