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11 Discovery channels could be dropped from StarHub TV amid clash over fees

(PHOTO: Discovery/Facebook)
(PHOTO: Discovery/Facebook)

All 11 Discovery channels could be dropped from StarHub TV after Discovery failed to reach an agreement with StarHub on a renewal deal for its channels.

Seven Discovery channels could be terminated from StarHub TV after 30 June, said Discovery in a media release on Wednesday (30 May).

These include the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science, TLC, Discovery Asia, Setanta and Eurosport, which recently broadcasted this year’s UEFA Champions League final.

Another four channels – HGTV, Asian Food Channel, Food Network and Travel Channel – could be axed from StarHub TV as well after 31 August.

This means that StarHub TV subscribers might no longer be able to enjoy popular programmes such as HGTV’s “Property Brothers”, Asian Food Channel’s “Family Kitchen With Sherson” and TLC’s “Cake Boss”.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, StarHub said it was “doing everything possible to arrive at a deal which would allow us to continue our partnership with Discovery”.

The company added that is concurrently “acquiring fresh content in the event that negotiations prove unsuccessful” and that announcements on the new channels may be made in the coming weeks.

StarHub said it will also be offering a free preview of over 25 channels from 11 June to 15 July 2018 to its customers as a gesture of thanks to them for their continued support.

Discovery has since begun rallying its fans using the hashtag #KeepDiscovery to persuade StarHub to keep its channels on the telco’s cable television offerings.

According to its release, Discovery’s portfolio of channels reached over 1.3 million viewers in Singapore in the past year, with its combined portfolio achieving a 10 per cent increase in ratings this year.

Discovery channels are also available in Singapore through SingTel TV.

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