Discovery Communications intends to take TLC global.
The programmer said it will bow an international version of TLC on March 4 in Norway and expects to have the service reach 75 markets and some 100 million households by spring 2011.
At that level, Discovery officials said the network would be the most widely distributed female lifestyle channel in pay TV.
The programming on the international version of TLC will include content focused on lifestyle, travel, the environment, parenting, home improvement and human-interest stories. In addition to the lifestyle programming already available on TLC in the United States like LA Ink, Cake Boss and Say Yes to the Dress, the international female channel will provide high-quality factual entertainment programming from across Discovery's portfolio of channels, including Investigation Discovery, Planet Green and Animal Planet, along with newly commissioned programming of regional interest.
TLC will bow in Norway on March 4 at 9 p.m. local time, with the service accessible on the Canal Digital, GET and Lyse platforms. Deal terms were not disclosed.
LA Ink star Kat Von D is slated to headline a special VIP event in Oslo with key industry clients, partners and members of the media, leading the countdown to the network's premiere with the show.
"TLC has become one of the strongest television networks in the United States, demonstrating creative leadership across a wide range of lifestyle categories," Discovery Networks International CEO Mark Hollinger said in a statement. "With the extension of this female-driven franchise across the world, we are creating a powerful complement to Discovery Channel in our global brand portfolio that will provide our distribution and advertising partners with an unmatched offering of quality content for female and family audiences."
Hollinger was to announce the launch at the Cable Congress 2010 in Brussels.
With the bow, TLC will join Discovery Communications' portfolio of global brands: Discovery Channel, available in more than180 markets; Animal Planet in more than 170 markets; and Discovery Science in upward of 100. Additionally, ID: Investigation Discovery can be found in more than 20 markets, while Discovery HD is distributed into 60 around the world.
