Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, a division of media firm Discovery Communications, on Thursday launched two new 24-hour channels in the country.
The non-fiction channels — Discovery Science and Discovery Turbo — will initially air on the Tata Sky’s DTH platform, but would soon be extended to other platforms.
“Right now, the channels are available on Tata Sky and in the next 2-3 months, it should be available with other DTH operators and cable companies as well,” Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Senior Vice President and General Manager (India) Rahul Johri said.
Discovery operates three channels — Discovery Channel, Discovery Travel and Living and Animal Planet —— in India, reaching 116 million cumulative subscribers in English, Hindi and Tamil.
“Its been our effort to provide unique content. So, while Discovery Science would have shows based on impact of science, say space, human body and genetics, Discovery Turbo will have shows centred around anything with motors like cars, aeroplanes and ships,” Mr. Johri said.
Later, the channels would also have content relevant to India, he added.
Asked about its HD channel, Mr. Johri said, “We expect to launch it soon ... may be it will be within this fiscal.”
The company had last year received licence from the I&B Ministry to operate three channels in India —Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo and Discovery HD.
