Discovery Inc. will be launching its flagship home and lifestyle channel HGTV (US) in Italy and 11 countries in central Europe this year as part of the American media company's expansion plans, Deadline.com reported Jan. 9, citing an official statement.

HGTV will roll out as a free-to-air channel in Italy on Feb. 2, while it will go live in Romania, Hungary, Serbia and other central European markets as a pay TV channel in the first quarter.

Kasia Kieli, president and managing director of Discovery EMEA, said the company plans to announce further launches over the coming months.

The channel launched in Germany and South Africa in 2019. In the U.K., it will replace the existing Home (UK) channel on Jan. 21.