Discovery+ launches India ke liye India special shows; elevates its local content line-up with eminent celebrities like Manoj Bajpayee, Rana Daggubati, Neeraj Pandey and Randeep Hooda

• discovery+ forays into Originals with Mission Frontline featuring Rana Daggubati, Ladakh Warriors: The Sons of the Soil with Randeep Hooda as the narrator and Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century presented by Neeraj Pandey and featuring Manoj Bajpayee as the host
• Starting December 15, introducing 6 new LIVE feeds of Discovery Network including Dkids, HGTV, Food Network HD, Travel Channel HD, DMAX HD, Eurosport HD along with existing feeds from marquee channels like Discovery HD, Animal Planet HD, TLC HD, Investigation Discovery HD, Discovery Science and Discovery Turbo
• Additional Indian shows include Amma & Appa, The Indian Dream Hotel, The Ganges with Sue Perkins, Aerial India and many more

Mumbai, 3^rd December 2020: discovery+, India’s first and leading aggregated real-life entertainment and learning streaming app, which was launched earlier this year, is all set to up the ante by foraying into original programming for the India market. Staying true to its promise of catering to the audience demand, discovery+ will launch a slew of exciting Originals starting from December 9, 2020 including shows such as Mission Frontline, featuring talented actor Rana Daggubati; Ladakh Warriors: The Sons of the Soil, narrated in Hindi by eminent celebrity Randeep Hooda and Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century, which will be presented by acclaimed Indian Film director Neeraj Pandey along with versatile actor Manoj Bajpayee as the host.

discovery+, one of India’s highest rated OTT apps on Google Play and App Store, has kept the users entertained since its launch in March. Since then discovery+ has added over 600 marquee shows across 60 different sub-genres including survival, sports, biopics, mystery, lifestyle, nature, science, military, crime, investigation, adventure, food, travel, to name just a few. The app has been the first destination for all the users who look for differentiated content in the real-life entertainment and learning space.

Within the first half of 2021, discovery+ will have the largest-ever content offering in the real-life entertainment and learning space with a wide range of more than 200 new and exclusive (local and global) titles to further strengthen our content offerings. Along with India produced Originals, discovery+ will also be launching other Indian titles including shows such as Amma & Appa, The Indian Dream Hotel, The Ganges with Sue Perkins, Aerial India as well as exclusive launches like A Perfect Planet featuring Sir David Attenborough, The End of The Storm, The Impossible Row and the latest seasons of Top Gear and Gold Rush among many more.

Introducing star-studded discovery+ Originals:

Ladakh Warriors: The Sons of the Soil

The Indian Army’s Ladakh Scouts also known as ‘Snow Warriors’ guard one of the most important borders between India and China. These sons of the soil are a force to reckon with, in the treacherous high-altitude mountains of Ladakh. Narrated by Randeep Hooda in Hindi ‘Ladakh Warriors: The Sons of the Soil’ showcases the gruelling training of these Snow Warriors at the Highest Regimental Centre in the world, brings alive the history of their bravery through tight recreations and finds out what inspires them through their first-person accounts. Stream this gripping and inspiring documentary Ladakh Warriors: The Sons of the Soil Warriors on discovery+ on 9th December 2020

Mission Frontline

‘Mission Frontline’ highlights the life of Military Forces, our everyday heroes, fighting at the border to keep the country safe. The special episode features a multi-award-winning actor and producer Rana Daggubati, who will experience the difficult life of a soldier and live with the border men at the Border Security Force, Jaisalmer. Mission Frontline streaming soon on discovery+.

Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century

Presented by Neeraj Pandey and anchored by the recipient of two National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards and two Asia Pacific Screen Awards- the very versatile Indian film actor Manoj Bajpayee, ‘Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century’, in collaboration with Archeological Survey of India, uncovers the mysteries behind the excavations of Sinauli (a village in UP). The show will cover the timeline of the finds, the artefacts themselves and the people involved across each stage of the discovery. Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century streaming soon on discovery+.

Discovery+ and the India market

Speaking about the launch, Megha Tata, Managing Director – South Asia, Discovery said, “We’re only a few months old but discovery+ has exceeded our expectations of user adoption. The traction that the product has seen demonstrates the immense appetite Indian consumers have for real-life entertainment and learning space. With discovery+, we are seizing a global opportunity with a single aggregated product. No other media company is better positioned to do this.”

Adding to this Issac John, Direct-to-Consumer Head – APAC, Discovery said, “As promised, we are launching our Indian Originals specially produced for heartland audiences who love and trust discovery+ to offer them real-life entertainment and learning. These shows reflect the particular needs of our consumers – who seek to be both entertained and informed. They will provide our viewers unprecedented access to real-life stories that have never been told before. We’re delighted to launch discovery+ Originals with such a varied and differentiated slate of shows.”

Celebrities speak about discovery+ Originals

Talking about Mission Frontline, Rana Daggubati said, “It gives me immense pleasure to have an opportunity to live a day in the life of BSF Jawans. Having played a role of a soldier before, I can say that real life of a solider is very different from reel life. They are our real heroes and what they do for this country is unimaginable. I thank discovery+ for bringing such a project that will give the people of this country a chance to get a glimpse into the lives of BSF and motivate the youth to serve the country.”

Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century host Manoj Bajpayee added, “Being a part of ‘Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the century’ was enriching in many ways because I got to learn so much more about ancient India. The archeological discoveries made at Sinauli tell us so much about our history and about ancient civilizations that existed more than 4000 years ago. I have been able to see ancient Indian history from a new perspective and to know that this excavation is just the tip of the iceberg, and there is lots more to be discovered in the timeline of Indian history with regards to the Sinauli excavation is certainly exciting.”

Neeraj Pandey, The Presenter of Secrets of Sinauli: Discovery of the Century said, “The fact is that we were such an ancient yet advanced civilization and every new exploration is unearthing even more stunning facts, the immense significance of which is not lost on us. Discovery of this ancient and parallel civilization at Sinauli is not just a fascinating story screaming to be told but has also led to more questions than answers, and this story is far from conclusion. Friday storytellers is excited to be partnering with Discovery Network and bringing this narrative to our audiences.”

Randeep Hooda, narrating Ladakh Warriors: The Sons of the Soil in Hindi said, “I am a fan of all the border men and their relentless efforts towards keeping our country safe. With Ladakh Warriors: The Sons of the Soil, discovery+ celebrates the snow warriors of India and I couldn’t be happier to be associated with a project like this. To be able to lend my voice to take the story of these heroes to the masses is an honor.”