Discovery Communications, the company that brought American Chopper, Extreme Air and, of course, Discovery Channel, to the masses has announced a new channel, Turbo. As its name implies, Turbo will be covering all things vehicular. Already shown overseas in Latin America and Iberia, the U.S. version kicks off on July 4th with more than 250 video clips covering everything from tutorials to motor sports. A video-on-demand service will start towards the end of the year while a Turbo-brand program block will bow on TLC with new episodes of American Chopper and Overhaulin'. A third series will also be introduced at that time as well.

A press release can be found after the jump. Kudos for the tip, emulous1974!

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[Source: Mediaweek, Discovery Communications, Inc.]
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS TO LAUNCH TURBO MULTIPLATFORM BRAND IN THE U.S.

-- TURBO to Encompass Broadband, VOD and Programming Block on TLC --

(Silver Spring, Md.) - Discovery Communications today announced the launch of a new multiplatform brand in the U.S. called TURBO, which will offer entertainment for viewers who love the rush of all things motorized -- from choppers and hot rods, to boats, planes and cars. A new 24-hour broadband channel will launch under the TURBO moniker on July 4, 2006, followed by a VOD offering in fourth quarter 2006. A TURBO block of programming, anchored by one of Discovery Networks' highest-rated series ever, AMERICAN CHOPPER, will make its debut on TLC in December 2006.

"The global appeal of AMERICAN CHOPPER is entrenched in the Teutul's personalities, family dynamic and life lessons, as well as their outstanding talent and craft," said Billy Campbell, President, Discovery Networks U.S. "As TLC builds on its 'Live and Learn' brand promise, we are creating a perfect new home for our loyal AMERICAN CHOPPER viewers and advertisers on a network with roots in this genre. From the days of JUNKYARD WARS, and more recently with RIDES and OVERHAULIN', TLC has a strong history in automotive and 'turbo' programming that we know appeals to its audience."

"With the success we've had with auto-engineering programming, and our ongoing efforts to create products that appeal to consumers on multiple platforms, TURBO is a natural extension," added Don Baer, Senior Executive Vice President, Strategy & Development, Discovery Communications.  "TURBO moves us aggressively toward providing content to enthusiasts whenever they want an adrenaline boost – online, on air or on demand."


TURBO Broadband

Going beyond fansites to capture the online enthusiast audience with extensive, heart-racing content and interactive community features, the TURBO broadband channel will launch in July with more than 250 short-form programming clips showcasing everything from expert advice and motor sports information, to the latest in performance technology. Following the launch, the site will add numerous new pieces of short-form content each month thereafter. Featuring all things related to a life filled with speed, the TURBO broadband channel will highlight cars, bikes, hot rods, planes and boats, as well as events, behind-the-scenes footage and in-depth insights into the passionate personalities that bring these machines to life. The channel will include blogs, reports, photo galleries and podcasts of events like Rolling Thunder and Sturgis, or the Paris Air Show and the Seattle Seafare Hydroplane Boat Race.

 
TURBO on Demand

TURBO on Demand will launch in the fourth quarter of 2006 as part of Discovery's current Video on Demand offering of program titles across its family of networks. TURBO on Demand will feature full episodes and fresh short-form content from Discovery Networks' hottest autoengineering programming such as AMERICAN CHOPPER, MONSTER GARAGE, AMERICAN HOT ROD, BIKER BUILD-OFF, OVERHAULIN' and RIDES, as well as programs related to aircraft, airshows and boating such as EXTREME AIR, ULTIMATE GUIDE: PLANES, MEGA YACHTS and WORLD'S BIGGEST BOAT SHOWS, among others.

 
TURBO on TLC

Beginning in December 2006, TLC will expand its heritage in relatable programming for auto fans with an action-packed night of programming, lead by the series that kicked the auto-engineering craze into high gear with its 2003 launch, AMERICAN CHOPPER. TLC will pair a fresh new season of the series featuring its larger-than-life stars the Teutuls, with its popular vehicle makeover series OVERHAULIN' starring auto-designing legend Chip Foose. A third new series, to be announced at a later date, will round out TURBO on TLC.

TURBO first launched as a linear TV network as part of Discovery Networks International in February 2005 and is available throughout Latin America and Iberia.

This announcement follows a series of new media initiatives Discovery has unveiled in the past several weeks that demonstrate the company's aggressive activity in the multiplatform marketplace both in launching new services and working with strategic partners to bring its high-quality, informative and entertaining content to consumers wherever they are and whenever they want it.

Discovery is the first media company to provide its world-class video content on Google Earth, the revolutionary satellite imagery-based mapping product and the first nonfiction programmer to offer video content through the iTunes Music Store. Discovery also launched the first of its U.S. broadband channels: Discovery Channel Beyond, Travel Channel Beyond and Animal Planet

Beyond, as well as Discovery Mobile, a 24-hour mobile programming network designed specifically for portable platforms, which will debut in the third quarter of 2006.


Discovery Communications, Inc.

Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in 170 countries and territories with nearly 1.4 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI's over 100 networks of distinctive programming represent 27 network entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Español, Discovery Kids en Español, Discovery HD Theater, FitTV, Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir), Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Real Time. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates more than 100 Discovery Channel Stores in the U.S. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.