Discovery Channel: Difference between revisions
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*''[http://www.discoverychannel.ca/ Discovery Channel Canada]'' |
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*''[http://www.theglobalbrands.com/TV_Channel_Brands.html Discovery Channel United Kingdom]'' |
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*''[http://www.discoverychannel.com.tw/ Discovery Channel Taiwan]'' |
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*''[http://www.discoverychannel.it/ Discovery Channel Italy]'' |
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Revision as of 16:38, 28 April 2008
| Headquarters | Silver Spring, MD, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Discovery Communications, Inc. |
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable TV channel founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It provides documentary programming focused primarily on popular science, technology, and history. In the U.S., the programming for the main Discovery network is primarily focused on "reality-based" television themes, such as speculative investigation (with shows such as Mythbusters, Unsolved History, and Best Evidence), automobiles, and occupations (Dirty Jobs and Deadliest Catch); it also features documentaries specifically aimed at families and younger audiences.[3]
History
On June 17, 1985, Discovery Channel was launched as the flagship channel of Discovery Communications with $5 million in start-up capital from the BBC, the American investment firm Allen and Company, Venture America and several other investors.
On January 4, 2006, Discovery Communications announced that Ted Koppel, longtime Executive Producer Tom Bettag, and eight former Nightline staff members were joining the Discovery Channel.
The network's ratings improved in 2006[4] after a drop widely attributed to an over-reliance on a few hit series such as Monster Garage and American Chopper. Some critics said such series strayed from Discovery's mold of helping viewers learn about the world around them. Beginning in 2005, Discovery revamped its lineup to focus more closely on its traditional themes of popular science, history, and geography[5]. The network garnered a total of seven primetime Emmy award nominations in 2006 for shows including The Flight that Fought Back (about United Airlines Flight 93) and Deadliest Catch.
In 2007, Discovery Channel's top series include Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, the Emmy-award winning Planet Earth, MythBusters, and Deadliest Catch.
Discovery's announced plans for 2008 include a new series with Josh Bernstein, who left History Channel to join Discovery. Other announced series include Fight Quest, Smash Lab, and the fourth season of Deadliest Catch.
Discovery Channel is currently the most widely distributed cable network in the United States,[6] reaching more than 92 million households, part of its global audience of 431 million homes in 170 countries and territories.[7] Versions of the channel are seen in Latin America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, India,Malaysia and other countries.[8]
Programming
Popular programming on the channel today includes Shark Week, an annual week of programming dedicated to facts about sharks; Deadliest Catch, about fishing for crab in the Bering Sea; popular science show MythBusters and How It's Made; Dirty Jobs about blue collar occupations; quiz show Cash Cab, FutureWeapons, about the weapon technology of the future and Man vs Wild, depicting survival techniques.
Non-television ventures
Pro Cycling Team
Shortly before the 2004 Tour de France, Discovery Channel announced it would become the primary sponsor of a professional bicycling team starting in 2005, featuring seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. However, after the 2007 victory with the Spaniard Alberto Contador Discovery Channel announced its retirement from cycling sponsorship. This sponsorship ended after the 2007 cycling season.
Radio
Discovery Channel Radio was a channel on the both major United States satellite radio services. The programming consisted of audio versions of popular programs from its multitude of TV channels. Discovery was previously on XM Satellite Radio but was dropped in early September 2005. Sirius Satellite Radio dropped Discovery Radio from its slate on February 21 2007.
Store
Discovery Channel also lent its branding to retail stores in malls and other locations across America, as well as an online store. Educational gifts were the store's specialty. On May 17 2007, Discovery Communications announced it was closing its stand-alone and mall-based stores. Hudson Group will continue to operate the Discovery Channel Airport Stores, and the website remains in operation. [9]
Telescope
Discovery Channel is also funding the construction of the Discovery Channel Telescope, in partnership with Lowell Observatory.
Marketing and branding
Taglines
Discovery Channel's previous taglines had been "Explore Your World" and "There's no thrill like discovery." However in view of its changing focus towards more reality-based programming and away from strictly educational programming, the slogan was changed to "Entertain Your Brain". The new tagline for the revamped Discovery Channel was "Let's All Discover...", with a continuing phrase or sentence that relates to a show. For example, when advertising for MythBusters, the commercial would end, "Let's All Discover, Why No Myth Is Safe". With the 2008 logo change came a new tagline: "The World is Just Awesome." The newest commercials include the song "Wonders Never Cease" by Morcheeba, from the album entitled The Antidote and the song Typical by Mute Math.
The previously-used tagline, "Explore Your World", went on to become a pop culture phenomenon, and had been synonymous with the channel for many years.
Logos
-
Discovery Channel logo used from 1985 to 1995
-
Discovery Channel logo used from 1995 until early 2000
International
Discovery Channel reaches 431 million homes in 170 countries. Currently, Discovery Communications offers 29 network brands in 33 languages. In a number of countries, Discovery's channels are available on digital satellite platforms with multiple language soundtracks or subtitles including Spanish, German, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Turkish, Greek, Polish, Hungarian, Romanian, Arabic, Slovenian, Hindi, Tamil and Serbian. In Bulgaria, Discovery has since 2000–2001 been displayed with Bulgarian subtitles by all cable providers.
Canada
Discovery Channel Canada has an ownership structure different from Discovery Channel. Canadian viewers receive almost identical English-language programming to the channel that American viewers watch, but with some added Canadian content to suit the audience. Most notably, the Canadian channel carries the daily science news show Daily Planet, originally @discovery.ca, the first of its kind. Occasionally, several segments on similar topics are taken from various episodes and put together into one-hour specials that are broadcast on the original Discovery Channel. Canadian channels Discovery Health, Discovery Kids, Discovery Civilization, and Animal Planet are also seen. All channels are under different ownership, with Discovery Communications having a 20% share in each.
Europe
In the United Kingdom, Discovery Channel UK has some programs in common with the US version, including MythBusters, American Chopper, How It's Made and Deadliest Catch.
In the Republic of Ireland the UK edition is available on most cable/digital operators but with some local content for the Irish market.
In Germany, Discovery Channel is part of the PREMIERE-digital-network and supplies specific programs to other networks like ZDF and Kabel 1. Discovery Communications is also owner of the documentary-channel XXP. The channel was bought in spring 2006 from its former shareholders Spiegel TV and "dctp". All programs are dubbed into German. The channel will from September be known as "DMAX", presumably to associate the channel with Discovery.
In the Netherlands, The Discovery Channel is included in most cable subscriptions. All of the programs are broadcast in their original language, but they are subtitled in Dutch as is the policy of all Dutch television stations.
In Poland, it is included in most cable TV offers. It is also available on satellite digital platforms (sometimes requiring an additional fee). Cyfra Plus makes it possible to see the programs in Polish as well as in English.
In Slovenia, it was one of the most popular channels, with a very wide audience, especially after subtitling in Slovene was introduced. However, the popularity - and rating - of DC dropped sharply after 2005, when it dropped most of its history and popular science documentaries, shifting to series about motoring and mechanics, the appeal of which seems to be very limited.
In Serbia, the channel is distributed via cable TV providers with Serbian subtitle. It enjoys moderate popularity, with shows like MythBusters and American Chopper being especially well received.
Australia & New Zealand
In Australia, Discovery is part of a 6 channel bouquet (not including timeshifts) on digital subscription TV, available on Foxtel, Optus TV and AUSTAR. See Discovery Channel Australia.
In New Zealand, the Australian version of Discovery is broadcast on SKY Network Television.
South East Asia
In Malaysia, Singapore and the rest of South East Asia, the S.E. Asian version of Discovery Channel is available on digital subscription TV. The most popular programs include American Chopper, Man Vs. Wild, Mythbusters, How It's Made and Dirty Jobs. Discovery Channel Asia still show crime programs e.g Most Evil and The FBI Files. There also is a large number of programming featuring development and society in Asian countries, especially China.
See also
- Discovery HD
- HD Theater
- List of channels on Virgin Television
- List of DirecTV channels
- List of Dish Network channels
- List of documentary channels
References
- ^ Previously on Channel 50, Asia feed
- ^ Ubc Channel Index
- ^ MediaPost Publications - Discovery Rebrands, Upgrades Marketing Efforts - 07/24/2007
- ^ DCI :: Press and News Releases
- ^ Dirty Work - 8/14/2006 - Multichannel News
- ^ Top 20 Cable Program Networks - NCTA.com
- ^ DCI :: Businesses & Brands :: Discovery Channel
- ^ DCI :: Press and News Releases
- ^ Discovery to close 103 stand-alone, mall locations - May. 17, 2007
External links
Main
Other
- Discovery Education
- Discovery Channel Japan
- Discovery Schools
- Cosmeo (Discovery Education's online homework help service)
- Discovery Channel Germany
- Discovery Channel Finland
- Discovery Channel Romania
- Discovery Channel China
- Discovery Channel Brazil
- Discovery Channel Canada
- Discovery Channel India
- Discovery Channel United Kingdom
- Discovery Channel Taiwan
- Discovery Channel Italy
- Discovery Channel Poland
- Discovery Channel Russia
- Discovery Channel Asia
- Discovery Channel Korea
- Discovery Channel Europe (sub links to local sites)
- Discovery Channel Middle East
- Discovery Channel South Africa
- Discovery Channel Turkey
- Discovery Channel Latin America
- Discovery Channel at TV Ark