Discovery HD Theater Expands

[Gregg Lengling]

By SGHT Staff
 
 
 
July 14, 2003 — Discovery HD Theater is celebrating its one-year anniversary with 25 hours of new high definition productions this season.
On July 9, Discovery HD Theater announced the debut of many new features, including Journey to the Center of the Earth. Part One of the two part series will show at 8pm ET/5pm PT on July 14, with Part Two in the same time slot the following day. The series delves into the Jules Verne classic as well as "modern scientific theories," according to the announcement.

Naturalists won't want to miss Secrets of Hawaii's National Parks to be shown at 8pm ET/5pm PT on Monday July 21. The program takes viewers through "a tropical paradise fed by the awe-inspiring pyrotechnics of one of the world's most active volcanoes." HD Theater's "Wild Nights" series will feature "A Night in the Jungle" on August 18 at 8pm ET/5pm PT.

Other July HD Theater premieres include the pilot of Hollywood Spotlight, a monthly 30-minute program produced in high definition, featuring some of the month's best movie trailers. Hosted by popular Washington, DC disc jockey Erin Carmen, the series begins with trailers of How To Deal, Seabisquit, and The Hulk. In August and September, Hollywood Spotlight will feature trailers from Jeepers Creepers, Matchstick Man, Out of Time, Good Boy!, and Second Hand Lions. There will also be new high definition episodes of Trading Spaces and The Jeff Corwin Experience.

In August, Discovery HD Theater will further expand its high-def offerings with the premiere of "Screening Room," a 30-minute monthly program that highlights upcoming high definition programming specific to Discovery HD Theater. The network's general manager Clint Stinchcomb will be the on-air host, providing a unique, inside look at new programming, happenings behind the scenes, and HDTV in general.

Parent company Discovery Communications, Inc. has committed approximately $65 million over the next five years to create 30 two-hour high definition documentary specials profiling the greatest destinations and countries of the world. These programs will "take viewers to pivotal points in history with the unsurpassed visual acuity of high definition television," including a tour of India, following Ghandi's famous march to the sea.

Discovery HD Theater is "the only 24/7 HD channel offering consistent real-world entertainment," according to the July 9 announcement. Discovery Communications, Inc. operates and manages the Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, the Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids Channel, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Discovery Home & Leisure Channel, Discovery Wings Channel, Discovery en Español, The Health Network, and distributes BBC America.