Animal Planet wins rights for 'The Cove'

The channel Animal Planet has won the rights for the documentary The Cove. The channel will air the film exclusively after it airs on the Epix multi-platform network run by Lionsgate, Viacom and MGM.

The film makes an undercover, stealth investigation into the killing and slaughter of thousands of dolphins in remote Taiji, Japan. It uses an Oceans Eleven-style approach, bringing to light the dark reality of dolphin massacre.

The film is the directorial debut of Louis Psihoyos and is produced by Fisher Stevens and Paula Dupre Pesmen.