The move to extend commercial advertising sales to all five channels in the region serves to broaden the reach available to advertisers, by using Discovery’s full portfolio of channel brands to reach a broader consumer demographic. Discovery Networks sees the launch of commercial ad sales as a strategic move to help consolidate the company’s advertising business in Africa.

Dorota Zurkowska-Bytner, newly appointed VP advertising sales for Discovery Networks CEEMEA, says: “We are delighted to be launching commercial ad sales with DStv Media Sales and are confident that TLC, ID and Animal Planet will be a strong addition to our existing commercial portfolio. Advertisers will reach a broader market, comprising families with Animal Planet, younger and older men with Discovery Channel and Discovery World and women of various ages, with TLC and ID. Our extensive portfolio will now cater to every consumer demographic.”

Discovery Networks offers advertisers the security of globally recognised channel brands and guaranteed quality content with no other network offering this depth and breadth in factual entertainment. The launch presents an opportunity for clients to target a large female client-base with TLC which is the top five network for women in the U.S. and reaches more than 228 million household internationally.

Since TLC international rollout 18 months ago TLC is now in 18 markets across CEEMEA and the channel is doing phenomenally well in other markets, such as Poland where TLC has become the #1 lifestyle channel and has leapfrogged well established local competitors such as TVN Style and Polsat Café in the core target of P15+ and W25 to 49.

TLC is strong offer for the female audience and has already demonstrated its strength alongside Discovery Channel which remains as a leading viewing destination for men.

High octane real life stories with larger than life characters is what makes Discovery’s Channels attractive to advertisers with shows like What Not To Wear on its flagship female brand TLC, and Who Did I Marry on ID: Investigation Discovery. ID a top performer has set summer records in U.S. by ending the third quarter up 50% in nearly all demos and is now the top 4 networks for women in the U.S.

In addition to the current listings, advertisers should note that Cake Boss with award winning cake designer Buddy Valastro will move exclusively from Discovery Channel and back to its original home on TLC in April. The premiere episode of Cake Boss season 4 helped position TLC as one of the Top 10 Channels with Women 20-49 for the timeslot it aired, and in the last two years, Cake Boss performed extremely well in South Africa taking the first and second position Discovery Channel series* with women 20 to 49 in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Chris Hitchings, CEO, DStv Media Sales, said: “DStv Media Sales and Discovery Networks are together expanding business opportunities with these additional launches. We are delighted to be offering clients and prospective advertisers the opportunity to access such a rich and diverse portfolio of programming through any of the five Discovery Network brands”.

Both TLC and ID are carried on the DSTV Compact bouquet – which extends the channels’ reach and ultimately, their appeal for advertisers. TLC has received a positive reaction from DStv and its subscribers.

Commercial advertising sales will be available through DStv Media Sales for Discovery Channel, Discovery World, Animal Planet, TLC and ID: Investigation Discovery.