MUMBAI: Discovery Intl will launch its Discovery HD service in Japan and Canada by the end of the year.

Discovery HD, which is the company's first 24-hour high-definition network in Asia, will launch on the J:COM digital platform in Japan on 14 December. The service will reach an initial subscriber base of 500,000 homes.

In Canada, the regulatory body CRTC has approved a joint venture application between CTV Specialty Television and Discovery Communications for Discovery HD. The network is expected to launch as a 24-hour digital service by the end of the year.

Discovery Networks had first launched Discovery HD internationally as a branded programming block in South Korea in February 2005, and also recently announced the launch of Discovery HD in Germany and Austria in November 2005.

Discovery Intl president Dawn L. McCall says, "With Discovery HD set to launch in Europe, Asia and Canada by the end of 2005, Discovery Networks is now the leading provider of high-definition networks in the world. The universal relevance and appeal of the Discovery brand combined with the company's extensive library of visually compelling high-definition content makes Discovery HD the ultimate television-viewing experience."

Discovery HD will offer content from Discovery's library of more than 1,000 hours of high-definition programming representing 25 television brands. Content will include Atlas. This is a series of 30 two-hour specials.