Discover Science (Physiakawn), an innovative science magazine co-produced by Al Jazeera Childrens Channel (JCC) and Japans NHK/NED, won the best prize in the category of TV youth program at the ABU Prizes closing ceremony held in Tokyo on 19 October 2010.
Discover Science consists of 26×14-minute episodes that help children better understand scientific theories by seeing them in action through spectacular and entertaining mega experiments.
Discover Science was shortlisted alongside 4 other programs from Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands and Germany; the co-production was awarded the ABU prize for the best series targeting children and youth in the TV youth category for its professional use of advanced techniques in implementing scientific experiments. This category was created to recognize outstanding entertaining and educational TV programs aiming at an audience aged 12-17 years old.
JCC and NHK are currently promoting Discover Science worldwide. This unique project has already attracted international co-producers and broadcasters such as the German broadcaster SWR, UR from Sweden, EBS from Korea, and others, and will be available in the Arab World next year. Since its launch three months ago, Discover Sciences revenues have exceeded 300 thousands US dollars; JCC and NHK share these revenues.
Mahmoud Bouneb, Executive General Manager at Al Jazeera Childrens Channel, and Malika Alouane, Director of Channels Programming, attended the ABU closing ceremony while in Japan to discuss with NHK the production of a second season of Discover Science and other quality programs related to science, technology and environment. The two parties are planning to sign a 5-year-agreement that will enable them to produce these programs using the highest technical and visual standards in collaboration with prestigious international scientific institutions.