- Opening Night to feature three marquee HDTV specials;
                   Nightly programming themes to follow -

TORONTO, Dec. 16 2005 -- Discovery is getting bigger and bolder with the
LAUNCH OF A NEW NETWORK - DISCOVERY HD. CTV Specialty Television Inc. and
Discovery Communications announced today that Discovery HD is set to launch
Monday, December 19, 2005 and will be available on a free preview basis
through July 2006 (viewers must have an HDTV television and an HD set-top box
from their service provider to enjoy the preview). This brand new service is
Canada's first 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week High Definition (HD)
specialty channel. In October the CRTC approved the new Category 2 Specialty
Service - a joint venture between CTV Specialty Television Inc. (a subsidiary
of CTV Inc.) and U.S.-based Discovery Communications.
    "The arrival of Discovery HD represents a landmark in Canadian television
as the first 24/7 Totally High Definition service in the country," said Rick
Brace, President, CTV Inc. "This new service reflects our commitment to being
leaders in HD technology and content and to serve the growing consumer demand
for more HD programming."
    "Canadian viewers are going to have the opportunity to see our world -
and other worlds - like they've never seen them before," said Paul Lewis,
President and General Manager of Discovery Channel. "From deep inside the
Earth to alien planets, even just the first week of programming will wow
audiences with a richer television experience - this is just a visual taste of
what's to come in HD and I'm excited that Discovery Channel is leading the
way."
    From science and technology to adventure and natural history, Discovery
HD will represent the best of the Discovery brand and showcase a dynamic
line-up of programming that maximizes the potential of HD. High Definition
television delivers brilliant, high-resolution digital images with CD quality
sound - resulting in an audio and visual experience that is richer, deeper and
more panoramic than Standard Definition viewing.
    Discovery HD is a separate, independently scheduled channel that is
distinct from Discovery Channel's analog service. The schedule will be a
compelling mix of Discovery Channel's most popular series and specials plus
original HD programming from Canadian independent producers, international
producers and broadcasters from around the world. Discovery HD will broadcast
live events, original Canadian productions and popular series from Discovery
including American Chopper and Monster Garage. Discovery HD will also leverage
Discovery Channel Canada's unique relationship with NHK Japan - a global
leader in HD technology and content - and the National Film Board (NFB).
    On Mon., Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Discovery HD launches with a
special look at our world in HD with three marquee presentations: Journey to
the Centre of the Earth at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT; Alien Planet at
10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT; and Miracle Planet at 12 midnight ET/9 p.m. PT.

    -   Journey to the Centre of the Earth
        Mon., Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
        In 1864, French author Jules Verne wrote the science-fiction classic
        Journey to the Centre of the Earth, and while little was known about
        the science of our planet then, remarkably, much of Verne's
        information was correct. Produced in stunning High Definition,
        Journey to the Centre of the Earth follows Verne's perceptive vision
        beneath the oceans, under the crust and through the mantle of the
        Earth to tell the story of what lies beneath our feet. This two-hour
        special features colourful re-enactments, advanced computer imaging
        and state-of-the-art science to compare 19th century exploration with
        scientifically-verified realities, and examine how Verne's fantastic
        story foresaw many of the current scientific theories of paleontology
        and Earth formation.

    -   Alien Planet
        Mon., Dec. 19 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
        Humankind's greatest adventure is only decades away - in the 21st
        century, unmanned space probes equipped with artificial intelligence
        will be sent to search for life on planets beyond our solar system.
        But what will happen when we find it? Discovery HD takes viewers on a
        stunning virtual mission of the future - a trip to a fictional planet
        known as Darwin 4. Rooted in the latest scientific research from the
        NASA Origins Program, NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Planet-
        Finder Mission and the European Space Agency's Darwin Project, this
        computer-animated HD presentation explores a fictional planet,
        located 6.5 light years from Earth, with two suns and 60 per cent of
        Earth's gravity. Identified as a planet with the potential to support
        life, as on Earth, the voyage to Darwin 4 is fraught with danger,
        mystery and awe.

    -   Miracle Planet
        Mon., Dec. 19 at 12 midnight ET/9 p.m. PT
        Where did we come from? Miracle Planet is a journey of four billion
        years, the story of how life has evolved into the complex and diverse
        beings found on the planet today. Follow the false starts and cosmic
        coincidences that gave rise to life on this planet as this five-part
        series, narrated by Christopher Plummer, reveals that often the
        course and evolution of life was left to chance. Filmed around the
        world and based upon the most recent scientific findings, Miracle
        Planet combines location footage and interviews with leading
        scientists, along with cutting-edge computer graphics, to vividly
        show the cataclysmic events that have shaped our planet and all of
        the life upon it.

    Then, Discovery HD will program its schedule around distinct nightly
themes, showcasing the best of the Discovery brand. Subscribers to Discovery
HD can look forward to the following:

    -   Mondays:
        --------
        "Hi-Def Tech" - With a look at latest innovations, Mondays
        feature engineering and science with a programming lineup that
        includes Ultimate, 100 Greatest Scientific Discoveries, Monster
        Garage and American Chopper.

    -   Tuesdays:
        ---------
        "Over the Globe" - Tuesday nights offer a window on the
        world - as only Discovery HD can - with travel adventure, world
        cultures and an international perspective on science and engineering
        with series including HD Atlas, White Hot Winter, Ultimate Survival:
        Everest and We Built This City.

    -   Wednesdays:
        -----------
        "HD Showcase" - On Wednesdays, Discovery HD explores
        world mysteries and how things work with programming that includes An
        Inside Look, Quest for Columbus and Mysteries of Alaskan Mummies.

    -   Thursdays:
        ----------
        "In the Wild" - Thursdays have bite as Discovery HD
        features the best in natural history programming, including Insectia,
        Corwin's Quest, Austin Steven's Snakemaster and Westminster Dog Show.

    -   Fridays:
        --------
        "Front Row Seat" - On Fridays, get up close to the action as
        Discovery HD offers a front row seat to examine the wonders of the
        natural world and engineering marvels, with programming that includes
        Forensic Factor, Sex Files, and Extreme Engineering.

    -   Saturdays:
        ----------
        "HD Passport" - Catch up with the best of Discovery HD
        with encore presentations of the week's best programming.

    -   Sundays:
        --------
        "HD Marquee" - Blue-chip programs are in the Sunday
        spotlight as Discovery HD presents the best of HDTV programming,
        including James Cameron's Expedition Bismark, How William Shatner
        Changed The World and Kim Cattrall: Sexual Intelligence.

    Discovery Channel Canada is owned 80% by CTV Specialty Television Inc. (a
subsidiary of CTV Inc.) and 20% by Discovery Communications.

    Discovery HD:
    -------------
    Taking Discovery Channel programming to a bigger and bolder platform,
Discovery HD is Canada's first 24-hour specialty service broadcasting
exclusively in High Definition. With a fascinating perspective on science and
technology, adventure, engineering and natural history, Discovery HD is at the
forefront of innovative factual storytelling, fusing critically acclaimed
programming from Canada and around the world with the latest in High
Definition technology. Discovery HD is wholly owned by Discovery Channel
Canada, a joint venture between CTV Specialty Television Inc. and Discovery
Communications.

    CTV Specialty Television Inc:
    -----------------------------
    CTV Specialty Television Inc. is a leader in Canadian specialty
television. Committed to providing Canadian viewers with the highest quality
programming available, it operates world-class specialty services and
production facilities. CTV Specialty has ownership interests in and operates
three of Canada's premier specialty television services - TSN, the top-rated
Canadian specialty channel; RDS, the world's first French-language all-sports
channel; and Discovery Channel, an award-winning specialty channel. CTV
Specialty also manages OLN, featuring adventure-based programming. CTV owns
interests in and operates five digital specialty channels, including Animal
Planet, a specialty channel focusing on the animal kingdom; Discovery
Civilization, a specialty channel devoted to studying past and present
civilizations; ESPN Classic, which airs encore broadcasts of the most
cherished classic games and moments from the world of sports; CTV Travel, an
English-language travel channel; and the NHL Network, which delivers
'round-the-clock hockey programming that offers viewers the most complete and
in-depth hockey coverage. CTV Specialty also owns interests in Dome
Productions Inc., Canada's leading provider of mobile television production
facilities, as well as Exploration Production Inc. and Exploration
Distribution Inc. CTV Specialty Television Inc. is owned by CTV Inc. and ESPN,
Inc.

    Discovery Communications:
    -------------------------
    Discovery Communications is the leading global real-world media and
entertainment company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the
Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current
global operations in more than 160 countries and territories with
1.3 billion cumulative subscribers. Discovery Networks International
distributes 17 television brands reaching 670 million cumulative subscribers.
Discovery Communications is owned by four shareholders: Discovery Holding
Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse
Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.



For further information: contact: Discovery Channel/Discovery HD, Jodi
Cook, (416) 332-4426, or jcook@discovery.ca; or CTV Inc.,
Mike Cosentino,
(416) 332-5048, or mcosentino@ctv.ca