NEW DELHI: Discovery Networks is set to launch three channels - Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo and Discovery HD - in India by the first quarter of 2009.
The company had applied to the ministry of Information and Broadcasting for licences two weeks back.
Discovery Networks India SVP & General Manager Rahul Johri, said, "We are witnessing television consumption in India shifting towards high-quality, credible and entertaining programmes and an increase in demand for an alternative to soaps, movies and sitcoms. Channels that have a distinct brand proposition would emerge as most-preferred destinations for viewers, advertisers and affiliates alike. Our existing channels are beneficiaries of this growing trend. This changing market dynamics, research and viewer feedback suggests that Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo and Discovery HD will satisfy the demands and desires of the aspirational India and will further strengthen our portfolio."

Currently Discovery India has 91 million subscribers in which Discovery channel has 36 million subscribers, Discovery Travel and Living 26 million subscribers and Animal Planet 29 million subscribers. And with the launch of three new channels, the company is aiming at growing its subscribtion base further.
The new channels will be available a la carte and bouquet in the DTH and Cas (conditional access system) areas. However, the price for the Discovery HD is yet to be fixed as it could turn out to be an expensive channel.
Says Johri, "The price of Discovery HD is still to be fixed as its a premium channel with a higher carriage fee. So the price of this could be little higher than the normal paid channels."


Though at present there is no specific rollout plan for the channels, it seems like the company is looking at launching Discovery Science and Discovery Turbo together followed by Discovery HD later.
Earlier, National Geographic had announced that it would be launching four more channels in India.
Discovery International had recently announced the integration of its India and Asia businesses. "The integration of Asia and India business has given us direct access to huge resources for further developement," explains Johri.
Globally, Discovery Networks has 14 channels. Seven of these are available in the Asian market. Discovery might soon launch the last of the seven channels - Discovery Home and Health - in India.