Discovery Communications launches video downloads on iTunes
Programs from Discovery Communications Inc.’s numerous cable television channels now are available for purchase at Apple Computer Inc.`s digital entertainment site iTunes. Offerings include content from the Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel and Discovery Kids.
Multi-channel Discovery Communications has launched video downloads with more than a dozen series and specials from its networks. Programs are available at iTunes for $1.99 per episode for viewing on a computer or iPod.
Discovery Communications believes the new video download content will be an effective online method for promoting its variety of television networks, the company says.
Last month Discovery launched the first of its advertising-supported Internet broadband channels, Discovery Channel Beyond and Travel Channel Beyond. Each includes web-exclusive content. Later this year it will debut Discovery Mobile, a 24/7 mobile programming network for portable digital platforms.
The company last year grew e-commerce sales 32% to $34.2 million compared with $25.9 million in 2004, according to Internet Retailer estimates. Discovery Communications is No. 195 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide to Retail Web Sites.
Patrick Gates, Discovery’s executive vice president, consumer direct, will speak at the Internet Retailer 2006 Conference in Chicago in June on the topic “When TV and the Internet Merge, Web Shopping Explodes.”
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