Discovery Communications to Launch Animal Planet HD Internationally

Discovery now offers HD services in 23 international markets including Russia --

(Silver Spring, Md.) Discovery Communications today announced that it is expanding its international portfolio of HD networks with the launch of Animal Planet HD. The new standalone high-definition service will roll out on the Canal Digital platform in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland on February 3.

“The launch of Animal Planet HD reinforces the strong appeal of the Animal Planet brand and further extends Discovery’s global leadership in the HD arena,” said Greg Ricca, President and CEO, Discovery Networks International. “We are committed to investing in new programming and services that serve the needs of affiliates around the world and enhance the viewing experience for consumers.”

Offering a standalone schedule and 100 percent 1080i HD content, Animal Planet HD will build on the strength of the brand by showcasing high quality wildlife and natural history entertainment in premium high-definition. Animal Planet HD will bring viewers even closer to the animal world with immersive programs such as IN TOO DEEP, which offers a breathtaking look some of the planet’s harshest climates; PANDAMONIUM, profiling the battle to save one of the world’s most loved animals; and GROOMER HAS IT, a tongue-in-cheek look at the primping and preening of man’s best friend.

Animal Planet HD joins Discovery HD, which offers a standalone schedule and premium 1080i HD content from Discovery’s extensive library of thousands of hours of high-definition programming. Launched internationally in 2005, Discovery HD rolled out on Canal Digital’s first HD tier in the Nordic region in October 2006.

Discovery HD is available in 23 international markets including South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Germany, Austria, the UK, Ireland, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and Russia.

Discovery Communications was the first global broadcaster to launch a 24/7 high-definition network with Discovery HD Theater, which launched in the United States in 2002. In addition to HD Theater, the company offers HD simulcast services in the United States for Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Science Channel and Planet Green. Discovery launched its first international HD simulcast service for Discovery Channel in Japan in October 2008.