Discovery Communications Inc. has launched its Discovery HD Theater, a 24-hour HDTV network being distributed on HD platforms from EchoStar Communications Corp. through its DISH Network satellite TV service, AT&T Broadband's greater Chicago market and in other markets served by Charter Communciations Inc. and Cox Communications Inc.
The new network will show fiction and nonfiction HDTV programming in Discovery's entertainment categories, including nature, history, world cultures, geographic exploration and others. The debut coincides with the 17th anniversary of the launch of the Discovery Channel in 1985.
Discovery is also promoting the network in its chain of Discovery Channel Stores and through a marketing partnership with DISH Network. DISH will deliver a live feed of the signal in the stores, which will also showcase DISH HD equipment and services. DISH customers can receive HD channels using the DISH Model 6000 receiver.
The network will provide 24-hour programming repeated in three-hour blocks, which will be presented in a theatrical format with limited commercials.
