Discovery launches new brand in CEE, boosts HD offering

Discovery has launched new HD channels including a new brand – Discovery Turbo Xtra HD – in central and eastern Europe.

Discovery Turbo Xtra HD launches today on the Dsmart platform in Turkey and Orange Romania’s recently launched TV service.

The channel’s programming focuses on male-focused areas of interest including cars, engineering feats, gadgets, extreme weapons and technology, and will feature shows including American Chopper X-Machines, and Junkyard Wars.

Discovery is also launching female-focused TLC HD and Science HD in the region.

Discovery Science HD is rolling out in markets including Russia, Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria, while TLC HD, which launched in Poland in April, will be made available in Russia from July 23.

“TV Viewers enjoy the HD experience and as a result they are watching more, for longer, and overall HD penetration is increasing across the region. We intend to stay ahead of the curve and having started the year with high definition launches of Discovery Channel and TLC in Poland, today’s announcement is just the next stage of a commitment to our partners and viewers to make our channel portfolio available in HD,” said Kasia Kieli, president and managing director, Discovery Networks CEEMEA. “We know that HD influences the pay TV packages that viewers choose and that they are willing to pay more for HD, but there is a gap in central and eastern Europe between homes that are HD TV ready and those that subscribe to HD pay TV services. We believe that our programmes that make the viewer feel part of the action through in-depth pictures and high-quality audio, will help operators to persuade TV viewers to sign up to HD packages.”