Discovery launching ID Xtra channel in CEE and MEA

Discovery is launching ID Xtra in Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa.

The new channel, ID Extra, will roll out on April 1.

Discovery already operates the Investigation Discovery channel in the region and the new service will sit alongside the existing brand.

The new female-skewed channel will be programmed with real-life mystery, crime and suspense factual and lifestyle programming. The launch in the CEE and MEA regions follows the success of Discovery’s ID channel in the US.

The new channel’s launch line-up includes Tabloid, a new show from US talk show host Jerry Springer, in which he will look at larger than life true stories. Other shows for the new channel include House of Horrors: Kidnapped, following some of the world’s most infamous kidnappings.

It will also have Redrum, a series that chronicles murders, starting from the crime scene and working back to the crime itself. Crime with Tamron Hall, meanwhile, will feature the eponymous CNBC news anchor and fellow correspondents exploring true crime stories.

Kasia Kieli, president and managing director, Discovery Networks CEEMEA said: “After the successful roll-out of TLC, we are now expanding our proposition for female viewers with ID Xtra. We believe the channel provides our distribution partners with truly unique content from the mystery & suspense genre and strengthens our portfolio, making it the best offer in pay TV today.”

Paul Welling, senior VP, head of channels, Discovery Networks CEEMEA said: “Mystery and suspense is one of the fastest growing genres in pay TV and Discovery is in pole position leading the category.”