Factual
Discovery World HD adds Hindi, Tamil, Telugu feeds
MUMBAI: Discovery World HD is leaving no stone unturned to tap into India’s growing regional phenomenon. It has started Hindi, Tamil and Telugu language feeds for specific markets. Discovery seems to be targeting the mass audience with the three largely spoken languages in the country.
Discovery Communications India vice-president and head premium and digital networks Zulfia Waris told Indiantelevision.com, “We are delighted to add three new feeds. The introduction of local languages is an attempt to further solidify our leadership position in key markets across the country.”
The service has started on Intelsat20 @68.5 degree East satellite. The language feed will be available on all the cable and DTH platforms that have Discovery HD World in their bouquet of channels. The user the language feeds through the audio option button.
At present, Discovery operates several factual entertainment channels in India, including Discovery HD World, Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo, Discovery Kids and Dsport. The network’s recently launched GEC, Discovery Jeet, has feeds in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu as well.
There are over 270 regional channels out of 500 channels overall in BARC. The regional viewership is higher than the Hindi viewership and has a market share of 47 per cent.
Also Read :
Dsport not in the running for BCCI’s media rights
Discovery Communications completes Scripps acquisition
Discovery Communications gets US govt nod for Scripps Networks merger
DUBLIN: Ireland is betting big on reality television. In a move that has Hollywood scouts scrambling for their passports, Dublin has unveiled Europe’s first tax credit dedicated solely to unscripted programming—think The Traitors rather than Game of Thrones.
The scheme offers producers a juicy 20 per cent rebate on qualifying expenditure, capped at €15 million ($17.5 million) per project. It’s a cultural credit with strings attached: programmes must pass a test proving they genuinely promote Irish and European culture. No word yet on whether Love Island derivatives need apply.
Ireland tánaiste and minister for finance Simon Harris says the incentive will cement Ireland’s reputation as a “centre of excellence” for audiovisual production. His colleague, minister for culture, communications and sport Patrick O’Donovan, insists Ireland has “the talent, creativity and production expertise to lead” in unscripted television. Bold claims for a nation that has spent decades exporting scripted drama.
The timing is canny. Unscripted production costs have soared globally, making Ireland’s existing infrastructure—and now its tax breaks—increasingly attractive. Fox Entertainment Studios already churns out shows like Beat Shazam and The Floor from Irish studios. Whether these American productions will pass the cultural test remains to be seen.
Producers must secure an interim cultural certificate before filming begins, allowing them to claim credits during production rather than waiting until wrap. A final certificate follows completion. The European Commission has blessed the scheme through December 2028.
Minimum thresholds apply: productions must cost at least €250,000, with eligible expenditure above €125,000. Only one season per project can claim relief in any 12-month period, though producers can juggle multiple projects.
Britain, take note. The UK industry has clamoured for similar support for 18 months, but Westminster has dithered. India’s ministry of information and broadcasting pay heed. Its incentive scheme for co-productions excludes unscripted television. To what end, no one knows! Ireland, meanwhile, is already rolling out the red carpet—or should that be green?
The message from Dublin is clear: when it comes to backing reality TV, Ireland isn’t messing about. Lights, camera, tax action.
