SILVER SPRING, Md. (Map, News) - Discovery Communications Inc., a Silver Spring-based nonfiction media company, announced that it plans to launch the first ever, 24-hour television network dedicated solely to green lifestyle programming.

To make this vision a reality, Discovery plans on backing it with a $50 million investment in new original content and a multiplatform offering with interactive tools.

“The Earth has been central to Discovery since John Hendricks first choose the planet to represent our brand,” Discovery Chief Executive Officer David Zaslav said in a statement.

“The enormous viewer response to PLANET EARTH demonstrates the interest and passion for more information about our wondrous planet.”

Current plans for the launch include a 2008 start-up date that will broadcast the new channel to more than $50 million homes.

Globally, Discovery reaches more than 1.5 billion viewers in about 170 countries.