Discovery to launch three new TV channels

New Delhi, Jul 31 (UNI) After the recent expansion announced by the National Geographic, its competitors Discovery Networks also today unveiled their expansion plans in the growing Indian market by announcing the launch of three new TV channels.

The company has applied to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for the permission to start the three 24-hour channels-- Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo and Discovery HD, GM Discovery Networks India Rahul Johri told a press conference here.

Discovery Networks already have three channels in operation in the country-- Discovery, Discovery Travel and Living and Animal Planet.

The application for new channels has been made in the name of 'Discovery Communications India'.

''The new channels will be available both on the DTH platform and through cable TV and will be offered on a la carte basis in the CAS areas,'' Mr Johri said.

Replying to a question, he said there was a definitive shift from the interest in soaps, movies and sitcoms to credible entertainment programmes.

''Channels that have distinct brand proposition would emerge as most-preferred destinations for viewers, advertisers and affiliates alike. Our existing channels are beneficiaries of this growing trend,'' he added.

About Discovery Science, the G M said the channel had been visualised keeping in view the massive population of the young who wanted to explore their physical world.

''The Indian market is ready for science. And as there is more chaos in the market, it develops towards targetted audience,'' he added.

The idea behind starting Discovery Turbo was that ''nothing inspires passion quite like motors,'' said Mr Johri. The channel would offer entertaining and inspiring programming for people who love the rush of all things motored-- from cars, trucks, motorcycles and mopeds to planes and trains and everything in between.

The third new channel Discovery HD would offer exclusive content from Discovery's extensive worldwide library of thousands of hours of high-definition programming.

The programminmg would be in 1080i, along with 5.1 surround sound, which offers definition far superior to both NTSC and PAL, he said.

Replying to a question, Mr Johri said the existing three Discovery channels had a cumulative audience of 86 million.

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