Discovery Communications Reviews

Former Employee – worked at Discovery Communications full-time for more than 10 years

Pros – Very fun to be part of its mission. Growth potential and benefits are strong. Nominally very employee-friendly. Global reach. The pros of this company are very strong.

Cons – Most of the stock's growth benefits the already-rich shareholder/owners and very top management, as you can see from company reports. A lot of people get laid off every year, and anybody at the senior VP level is vulnerable to a salary purge. Compensation is lop-sided in favor of the inner circle.

Advice to Senior Management – Spread the wealth and listen to your people more.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Discovery Communications full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Employee benefits typical of a major corporation.
Brand recognition.
Some interesting assignments.
Flexible working environment.
Some helpful and knowledgeable people on staff. If you are lucky enough to work with them.

Cons – Continuous layoffs and restructuring.
Digital is poorly managed with a direction that changes on almost a monthly basis.
Poor communication between departments.
Senior management have little interest in any employee outside of their current pet project.
Work quality and experience largely irrelevant. Advancement based on trending projects and ability to schmooze your way onto the correct management radar.

Advice to Senior Management – Start paying attention to all your employees. Learn their skills and how to relate to them in a knowledgeable manner. Find the best people for the job, not just those with the loudest voice or the most convenient.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Discovery Communications full-time

Pros – Defined mission
Good people
Outstanding (full) benefits
Offers work-life balance
Strives for creative, ground-breaking work
Has LEED HQ building
Clear about profit oriented focus

Cons – Roller Coaster. There is an on-going culture of continuous re-organization and therefore uncertainty about job stability regardless of your performance
Technology disrupters w founding business model: what platform will content be streamed on in 2025?
Lack of a career advancement plan (promotions seem to go to outside hires)
Skews to hire young, does not balance "ages" in the workforce
Doesn't re-hire former employees all too often which is a loss to the company
Need to know someone inside to get resume lifted up to appropriate hiring manager

Advice to Senior Management – Hire and KEEP people instead of continually spewing them out.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Discovery Communications

Pros – team, salary, benefits, perks etc

Cons – no cons that i would mention

Former Employee – worked at Discovery Communications as an intern for less than a year

Pros – Huge successful global company
Beautiful HQ
Great HR and Lifeworks Division
Good opportunities for full time employment/fair amount of mobility within company
Full of intelligent people

Cons – Internships pay very little
Strong reliance on contract workers
Annual job freeze - saw many people laid off in 4 month period

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Discovery Communications full-time

Pros – Strongly performing company, with excellent CEO

Cons – Core business (television) likely to be significantly disrupted over next several years

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Discovery Communications full-time for more than 3 years

Pros – - Transparent
- Provides opportunity for career growth or change
- Corporate culture is direct. Executive management strives to stay relevant which drives profit and avoids complacency. I don't mind working hard and I loved having a mission and strategy I could believe in and support wholeheartedly every day I came to work.

Cons – Lacks clear strategy to support employees continued education and/or industry training. While the Lifeworks programs should be greatly praised (it was the best I experienced throughout my 15+ year career), I found getting the time to educate/train without distraction almost impossible.

Advice to Senior Management – Create strategy which allows employees more time to train.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Discovery Communications as an intern for more than a year

Pros – nice co-workers, great atmosphere, good hours and overall, it's just a great place to work at with great benefits. I really enjoy working here.

Cons – I've been working here for a year and I love everything about Discovery. It truly is a great working space and everyone is very positive.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Discovery Communications full-time

Pros – Great benefits (annual bonus, health insurance, paid vacation, 401K). Discovery keeps employees up to date on state of the company, corporate updates, etc

Cons – Salaries are not so great for lower level employees. It is also very hard to be promoted. It seems like they prefer to hire from outside than promote from within.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Discovery Communications full-time

Pros – They offer work/life balance programs and a supportive environment. The work is challenging, the compensation is good, and the company has an excellent reputation.

Cons – Like most successful companies, they are most interested in the bottom dollar. People are human capital, and as such, are expendable if not profitable.