MUMBAI: Foreign channels have discovered that the best way to penetrate the Indian market further is through dubbing and procuring locally relevant content.

Discovery will now go a step further with its Travel and Living Channel. Plans have been finalised for two shows that will air on Travel and Living later this year. In the past Discovery has enjoyed success with its Discover India time band. Here it buys documentaries from producers on a variety of subjects which it then airs on Saturdays at 9 pm, with a repeat telecast on Sundays at 9 am.

However the latest initiative marks the first time that Discovery will develop original concepts for commission to local producers. One show is based on cities in India. This six- episode series is currently in production. The second series, comprising 13 episodes, is about food and is currently in pre production.

While confirming the development a Discovery spokesperson refused to divulge further details saying that the shows would air in the October - December 2005 period. He added that one episode for one of the shows had already been shot.