Discovery Rolls Out Seventh Network in India

NEW DELHI: Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific has expanded its portfolio of Indian networks to seven with the addition of Discovery Channel Tamil, which rolls out on August 15.

Joining Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo and Discovery HD World, the Tamil-language network will deliver content from the adventure, survival, science, engineering, natural history, investigation and technology areas. It will carry its own advertising inventory for local Tamil Nadu advertisers and clients interested in reaching the Tamil Nadu audience. The new network follows the 2010 introduction of a Tamil feed for the flagship Discovery Channel in 2010.

"The viewership pattern in Tamil Nadu and rest of India is contrasting and demands customized product offerings," said Rahul Johri, senior VP and general manager for South Asia at Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific. "Our intensive research with the Tamil Nadu viewers has encouraged us to launch a dedicated new channel in their native language with focused programmings. I am confident that both local and national advertisers targeting unique and quality audience will find the network a compelling advantage.”

Discovery has received licenses to launch five additional networks in India. The lineup has not yet been determined.