Beijing – Discovery Networks Asia launched April 16, 2008, a Planet Green programming block on Discovery Channel’s China block. ŠKODA Auto, a Volkswagen brand, is the sponsor of the initiative which includes 40 new hours of environmental programmes on 26 TV stations in China. The Planet Green block in China will offer original programming in 2008 including Asia-relevant stories produced out of the region and global specials. Series include Fearless Planet (6×60’) which looks at natural land formations; Eco-Tech (5×60’) highlighting developments in technologies for sustainable development; Technogreen (13×60’) exploring a couple’s efforts in inventing ‘green’ solutions, Ways to Save the Planet (9×60’) exploring the threats to Earth and solutions; as well as Ecopolis (6×60’), which features a virtual city of the future built on sustainable development. In addition to the on-air partnership, Discovery Channel and ŠKODA will organize road shows to spread the ‘green’ message in the second half of 2008. ŠKODA will be using the on- and off-air partnership to promote its newly launched Octavia series of cars which use technologies developed in line with the China IV Exhaust Emission Standard. Discovery and ŠKODA aim to provide information and environmentally-friendly choices to educate and entertain Chinese audiences, and enable their participation in environmental protection and energy saving activities. Planet Green is Discovery Communications’ global, cross-company initiative to document, preserve and celebrate the planet, including the first 24-hour ‘green’ TV network that will launch in the US in June 2008.