Under the agreement which will last for three years, Mico will offer Discovery Channel an exclusive first look at all new English HD programs, stated an official release.

The deal was announced in New York City at the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers.

Recent highlights from this agreement also include the exclusive same-day NHK and Discovery HD special broadcast of the newest HD satellite pictures of the moon on 14 November; and the NHK co-production earlier this fall of HD productions Race to Mars and Mars Rising, both original Discovery Channel Canada commissions.

"Building on our successful co-production and content sharing agreement with NHK, this new licensing deal with Mico ensures that our viewers will enjoy even more of their world in stunning High Definition in the years to come," Discovery Channel Canada president and GM Paul Lewis said in a release announcing the deal. "New projects are in development with NHK and under discussion this week at the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers."

"We are delighted to conclude an output deal with Discovery Channel Canada and look forward to NHK's quality HD programs being exposed and watched in the growing market," added Mico senior managing director Yukihiko Amagi. "With the world's increasing demand for HD programming, we have been developing and distributing a good volume of HD content, therefore, the commitment by Discovery Channel Canada is definitely appreciated and we hope to continue our wonderful business relationship."

According to the agreement, Discovery Channel will acquire 20 hours or more of programming from the Mico catalogue in the first year; and 25 hours or more in each of years two and three. The first titles acquired under the new deal include Monster of the Sea and The Mysterious Black Rabbits.