MUMBAI: Discovery Communications has announced plans to extend the availability of providing high definition network, Discovery HD Theatre in the international markets.

Discovery Communications launched Discovery HD Theatre in June 2002 in US and plans to focus in markets where HDTV is gaining a foothold such as Canada, Mexico, Korea, China, Japan, Germany and UK.

The channel will either be offered as a stand-alone, or in programming blocks. Like the U.S. version, it will feature HD programming from Discovery's various brands such as Discover Channel and Animal Planet in the inetrnational markets.

CEO of Discovery Communications president and CEO Judith A. McHale noted,"Discovery Communications is positioned to lead the HD programming arena internationally given the universal appeal of Discovery's brand, our proven expertise in launching international networks and our tradition of providing visually rich content to our viewers throughout the world."