NEW YORK, April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Communications today announced the launch of its first broadband channels: Discovery Channel Beyond and Travel Channel Beyond. Unveiled as a sneak preview to advertisers and media buyers at Discovery's Upfront sales presentation in New York, the ad-supported services will launch to the public on April 15. Broadband channels for TLC, Animal Planet and Discovery Health Channel will launch in the coming months.

Offering original and exclusive short-form programs, as well as user- generated documentaries, Discovery Channel Beyond and Travel Channel Beyond are the first of Discovery's U.S. channels to be distributed entirely over broadband, 24-hours a day. Powered by Brightcove, the leading Internet TV service, both broadband channels will be available at http://www.discovery.com/.

"Discovery is seizing the opportunity to enrich the multiplatform media experiences of people who love and rely on our content and channels," said Don Baer, Senior Executive Vice President for Strategy & Development, Discovery Communications.

Harnessing the quality of the company's linear TV channels and providing a new content-laden platform to reach Discovery's passionate viewers, Discovery Channel Beyond and Travel Channel Beyond will feature hundreds of exclusive pieces of content. Discovery Channel Beyond launches with video focusing on its core genres of exploration, science and natural history. Travel Channel Beyond will offer informative and compelling content based on popular global destinations and vacation ideas, including a special feature on 5 TAKES, the innovative programming franchise that lets viewers craft the itinerary of five travel journalists and their journey around the world.

At launch, the broadband channels' features will include: * Rich content extensions for Discovery Networks' most popular shows, such as Discovery Channel's DEADLIEST CATCH and DIRTY JOBS, and Travel Channel's ANTHONY BOURDAIN: NO RESERVATIONS and 5 TAKES. * Behind-the-scenes and making-of footage, bloopers, outtakes, talent vlogs and the company's first "webisodes." * "MyDocs" -- the company's new user-generated content showcase will allow viewers to do everything from submit and vote on the casting applications for 5 TAKES travel journalists, to create their own short documentary films to be uploaded and displayed on the broadband channel.

Focused on providing consumers with an engaging content and user experience, Discovery will add new features in the coming months, including the following:

* An ongoing user-generated pilot competition -- visitors will submit a pilot show and the winner will produce a web-based series on Discovery Channel Beyond and Travel Channel Beyond, with support from Discovery producers. * Discovery News -- a daily news webcast featuring stories on science, extreme weather and the environment, among other topics presented from Discovery's unique vantage point.

The launch of these broadband channels follows the company's leadership position in the global new media marketplace. The company has already built a broadband portal in the United Kingdom; deployed content for mobile devices with 21 carriers in 11 countries, built WAP portals in the United Kingdom and Asia; and rolled out VOD services with 20 carriers in 10 countries, including a substantial on demand service in the U.S.

The announcement is part of an overall set of multiplatform business initiatives unveiled today at Discovery's Upfront sales presentation in New York. In addition to Discovery's broadband channels, the company is making its world-class video content available on Google Earth, Google's satellite imagery-based mapping product, and will launch Discovery's first 24/7 mobile channel, Discovery Mobile. The announcements demonstrate Discovery's aggressive activity in the multiplatform marketplace both in launching new services and working with strategic partners in the new media space, to make its high-quality, informative and entertaining content available to consumers wherever they are.

Discovery Communications, Inc.

Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in 170 countries and territories with nearly 1.4 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI's over 100 networks of distinctive programming represent 27 network entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Espanol, Discovery Kids en Espanol, Discovery HD Theater, FitTV, Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir), Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Real Time. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates more than 100 Discovery Channel Stores in the U.S. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company , Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.

CONTACT: Catherine Frymark, +1-240-893-9840,
Catherine_Frymark@discovery.com, or Michelle Russo, +1-240-678-6375,
Michelle_Russo@discovery.com, both of Discovery Communications

Web site: http://www.discovery.com/