Discovery Networks Streams Full-Length Episodes Online

The Discovery Network is suddenly making waves in the Internet-TV sphere.  On August 1, it publicized its acquisition of Treehugger.  Days later, it has announced that it will stream free full-length episodes of new and returning series in an effort to boost its online presence. 

Interesting.  This seems to mark a departure from (or maybe a supplement to) the network’s earlier approach of creating niche, user-guided channels like Discovery Channel Beyond (Tilzy Page), Discovery Health Beyond (Tilzy Page), Travel Channel Beyond (Tilzy Page) using the Brightcove platform; the full-length programming will stream from a different source. 

Developed by the same company that deploys HD Video for ABC — Move Networks, described by Online Video Watch here — Discovery’s player offers high-quality video quickly, but apparently does not toggle to full screen.  Fortunately, however, unlike ABC’s player, the advertisements do not require user interaction. 

The premiere of “Meerkat Manner” is all that’s available for viewing as of yet, but “Dirty Jobs” and “La Ink” are set to start streaming Wednesday with more shows to follow.