Nine Entertainment, Discovery explore new channel launch in Oz

Australian media giant Nine Entertainment is reportedly in talks to launch a new network in partnership with Discovery.

The proposed channel will be called Rush and feature programming from Discovery, which is behind brands including Science Channel, Turbo and Animal Planet.

Neither Nine nor Discovery confirmed the new channel plans but the Rush brand has been trademarked in Australia, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, which broke the news.

The reported launch of Rush would add to Nine’s existing brands, which include digital offerings 9Gem, 9Go and 9Life.

Discovery’s channels such as flagship Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet are available on pay operator Foxtel, following a deal that began earlier this year.

Last year, BBC Studios and Nine struck a long-term natural history partnership that will see the Australian network debuting a quintet of landmark series.

Nine will have Australian premiere rights for shows including Seven Worlds, One Planet, as well as Perfect Planet, Green Planet, Frozen Planet II and Planet Earth III.