Discovery Channel still region's most watched international channel

Network's portfolio continues to increase viewership and reaches 132mln viewers across Asia Pacific.

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP), a division of the nonfiction media company Discovery Communications, on Tuesday announced that over 132 million viewers per month watched its flagship network Discovery Channel in the first quarter of 2010, as shown by Peoplemeter. This marks a year-on-year increase of more than 18% (All Pay TV Viewers), according to a Discovery Channel report.

DNAP continued to increase its portfolio viewership across the region with key brands Animal Planet and Discovery Travel & Living delivering double-digit growth in monthly viewership compared to the previous quarter, at 33% and 19% respectively. DNAP's other networks increased year-on-year reach specifically among All Pay TV Viewers and Adults 24-54. In Prime Time, Discovery Science achieved an audience gain of 8% among PMEBs and 16% among Affluent, while Discovery Home & Health increased by 60% and 58% respectively among the same sectors. Among Males 25-54, the audience for Discovery Turbo was 72 times that of the same quarter last year. Additionally, in an average minute during Prime Time, DNAP’s programmes captured more than 1.1 million viewers in Asia Pacific (All Pay TV Viewers, 8 markets).

Tom Keaveny, executive vice president and managing director, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said, "The growth of our brands underscores the strength and popularity of our portfolio, and reinforces our leadership in the region. These results also show that our programming is compelling, relevant, and appeals to target audiences in all markets. We will continue to deliver on our promise of high-quality content to our viewers, advertisers, and affiliates alike."