Plans are also afoot to launch language-specific channels when Discoverygoes digital in early 2001. Following the international launch, the channelwill be introducing Discovery Health and Discovery Travel in the countrystarting July this year. Confirming that Discovery is seriously looking atregional language programming, the Channel's managing director Kiran Karniksaid that at least one regional language band is expected to be on air overthe next couple of months.

Without giving details, Karnik said that Discovery will initially look atweekly time slots in regionals channels -- which can later be extendeddepending on demand.

"Based on the market response we may look at separate language feeds at thetime of going digital," Karnik added. Discovery is presently looking atdubbing programmes in Tamil, Telegu and Bangla. These may be extended toother languages at a later date..