(20 January 2006 2:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Global media firm Discovery has announced that it has reached a milestone in the global growth of its television business.

It has launched the 100th and 101st Discovery networks. Discovery HD has launched in Japan (100th network) and Canada (101st network).

The company first began as a single network, the Discovery Channel in 1985, with 156,000 subscribers. Today Discovery’s 101 worldwide networks reach more than 1.3 billion subscribers in over 160 countries and territories and 35 languages. Last year Discovery celebrated 10 years in India.

Discovery president and CEO Judith A. McHale says, “It is very appropriate that Discovery’s 100th network is in high definition. The company has always been aggressive in exploiting new platforms and we are very excited about the growth potential for the high-definition market both in the United States and around the world.

"Our goal is to continue leveraging our global infrastructure and the strength of our brands to be a market leader for knowledge-based media everywhere in the world.”

In June 2002, Discovery launched a high-definition network - Discovery HD Theater in the US, which is now one of the most widely distributed HD networks in the country.

Discovery Networks International first launched Discovery HD internationally as a branded programming block in South Korea in February 2005. Discovery HD in Japan is Discovery’s first 24-hour HD network in Asia.

Discovery HD is planning launches in other key international markets this year including the UK, Ireland, Germany and Austria.