OSN, a major pay-TV network in the region, announced the extension of its partnership with Discovery Communications across the MENA with a new distribution deal that will see the launch of two new HD channels exclusively for OSN subscribers, even more hours of new content across Discovery’s existing premium portfolio, as well as extended digital rights for OSN’s VOD and catch-up services.

Launching on March 31, Discovery Family HD and IDX HD are the latest premium exclusive channels from Discovery, and will join the flagship channels Discovery Channel HD, TLC HD and now Discovery Science HD, which are also exclusive for OSN across the region. Animal Planet HD will also continue to be carried by OSN.

The two new Discovery channels complement the five new channels recently launched on OSN; these include BBC First HD, OSN First HD Home of HBO, OSN Yahala Cinema HD, OSN Movies Family HD and H2.

Emad Morcos, SVP, media partners and digital, OSN, said: “The long-term partnership with Discovery Communications further strengthens the "nowhere else" television experience that we offer to our subscribers.

The exclusive launch of two new channels and the introduction of new content, available across all our platforms, give us a definitive edge. The wide breadth of programs on Discovery Family HD and IDX HD will provide family audiences high quality content exclusively on OSN.”

James Gibbons, EVP and country manager, emerging business, Discovery Networks CEEMEA, said: “OSN has been our long-standing partner in the region and we are excited to extend this relationship further and add two new channels to their HD offering.”

“Discovery Family HD is the destination channel that will bring the whole family together, featuring quality programming that will inspire a new way of learning, while IDX HD will have glossy reconstructions of real-life mysteries,” he added.