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{{Short description|American cable television channel}}
{{about|the TV channel in the United States}}
{{About|the TV channel in the United States}}
{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox television channel
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Discovery Channel
| name = Discovery Channel
| logofile = File:Discovery 2019.png
| logo = [[File:2019 Discovery logo.svg|250px|class=skin-invert]]
| launch_date = {{start date and age|1985|6|17}}<ref name="oscars.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1987 |title=The 59th Academy Awards (1987) Nominees and Winners |access-date=July 23, 2011 |work=oscars.org |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402004243/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1987 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| slogan = ''The world is ours''
| closed_date =
| launch = {{start date and age|1985|6|17}}<ref name="oscars.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1987 |title=The 59th Academy Awards (1987) Nominees and Winners |accessdate=2011-07-23|work=oscars.org}}</ref>
| owner = [[Warner Bros. Discovery]]
| closed date =
| owner = [[Discovery, Inc.]]
| parent = [[Warner Bros. Discovery Networks]]
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = {{Plainlist|
| language = [[English language|English]]<br>[[Spanish language|Spanish]]<br>(via second audio track)
* English
| broadcast area = United States
* Spanish (with [[Secondary audio program|SAP]])
| headquarters = [[Silver Spring, Maryland]]
| former names = The Discovery Channel (1985–1995)
| sister names = {{Plainlist|
* [[Animal Planet]]
* [[Discovery en Español]]
* [[Discovery Family]]
* [[Discovery Familia]]
* [[Science Channel]]
* [[Motor Trend (TV network)|Motor Trend]]
}}
}}
| area = Nationwide
| web = {{URL|http://www.discovery.com}}
| headquarters = 230 Park Avenue South New York City<ref>{{cite web|title=Discovery Selects 230 Park Avenue South As New Global Headquarters|url=https://corporate.discovery.com/discovery-newsroom/discovery-selects-230-park-avenue-south-as-new-global-headquarters/|access-date=27 October 2023|archive-date=May 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529025332/https://corporate.discovery.com/discovery-newsroom/discovery-selects-230-park-avenue-south-as-new-global-headquarters/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| picture format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />{{small|(downscaled to [[480i]] [[letterbox]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)}}
| former_names = The Discovery Channel (1985–1995)
| terr serv 1 = [[Selective TV Inc.]]<br>([[Alexandria, Minnesota]])
| sister_channels = [[List of assets owned by Warner Bros. Discovery#Warner Bros. Discovery Networks|Sister channels]]
| terr chan 1 = Channel 47
| website = {{official website|https://www.discovery.com/|discovery.com}}
| sat serv 1 = [[DirecTV]]
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[High-definition television|HDTV]]<br />{{small|(downscaled to [[480i]] [[Letterboxing (filming)|letterbox]] for the [[Standard-definition television|SDTV]] feed)}}
| sat chan 1 = Channel 278 (HD)<br>1278 (VOD)
| online_serv_1 = Affiliated streaming services
| sat serv 2 = [[Dish Network]]
| online_chan_1 = {{hlist|[[Discovery+]]|[[Max_(streaming_service)|Max]]}}
| sat chan 2 = Channel 182 (HD)
| online_serv_2 = Services
| sat serv 3 = [[C band (IEEE)|C-Band]]
| online_chan_2 = [[FuboTV]], [[Sling TV]], [[YouTube TV]], [[Philo (company)|Philo]], [[Hulu + Live TV]]
| sat chan 3 = AMC 10-Channel 21
| cable serv 1 = [[Verizon FiOS]]
| cable chan 1 = Channel 120 (SD)<br>Channel 620 (HD)
| adsl serv 1 = [[Sky Angel]]
| adsl chan 1 = Channel 313
| adsl serv 2 = [[AT&T U-Verse]]
| adsl chan 2 = Channel 120 (SD)<br>Channel 1120 (HD)
| online serv 1 = [[PlayStation Vue]]
| online chan 1 = [[IPTV|Internet Protocol television]]
| online serv 2 = [[Sling TV]]
| online chan 2 = [[IPTV|Internet Protocol television]]
| online serv 3 = [[YouTube TV]]
| online chan 3 = [[IPTV|Internet Protocol television]]
}}
}}


'''Discovery Channel''' (known as '''The Discovery Channel''' from 1985 to 1995, and often referred to as simply '''Discovery''') is an American [[pay television]] network and [[Flagship (broadcasting)|flagship channel]] owned by [[Discovery, Inc.]], a publicly traded company run by CEO [[David Zaslav]]. {{As of|2012|06}}, Discovery Channel is the third most widely distributed subscription channel in the United States, behind [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]] and [[The Weather Channel]];<ref>{{cite web|url= http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/08/23/list-of-how-many-homes-each-cable-networks-is-in-cable-network-coverage-estimates-as-of-august-2013/199072/|title= List of How Many Homes Each Cable Networks Is In - Cable Network Coverage Estimates As Of August 2013|last=Seidman|first=Robert|work=[[TV by the Numbers]]|publisher=[[Zap2it]]|date=August 23, 2013|accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref> it is available in 409 million households worldwide, through its U.S. flagship channel and its various owned or licensed television channels internationally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.discovery.com/brands/discoverychannel.html|title=DCI :: Businesses & Brands :: Discovery Channel|publisher=|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012230919/http://corporate.discovery.com/brands/discoverychannel.html|archivedate=2008-10-12|df=}}</ref>
'''Discovery Channel''', known as '''The Discovery Channel''' from 1985 to 1995, and often referred to as simply '''Discovery''', is an American cable channel owned by [[Warner Bros. Discovery]], a publicly traded company run by CEO [[David Zaslav]]. {{As of|2012|06}}, Discovery Channel was the third most widely distributed subscription channel in the United States, behind now-sibling channel [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]] and [[The Weather Channel]];<ref>{{cite web|url= http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/08/23/list-of-how-many-homes-each-cable-networks-is-in-cable-network-coverage-estimates-as-of-august-2013/199072/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130825033059/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/08/23/list-of-how-many-homes-each-cable-networks-is-in-cable-network-coverage-estimates-as-of-august-2013/199072/|url-status=dead|archive-date= August 25, 2013|title= List of How Many Homes Each Cable Networks Is In Cable Network Coverage Estimates As Of August 2013|last=Seidman|first=Robert|publisher=[[TV by the Numbers]] |date=August 23, 2013|access-date=August 25, 2013}}</ref> it is available in 409&nbsp;million households worldwide, through its U.S. flagship channel and its various owned or licensed television channels internationally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.discovery.com/brands/discoverychannel.html|title=DCI :: Businesses & Brands :: Discovery Channel|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012230919/http://corporate.discovery.com/brands/discoverychannel.html|archive-date=October 12, 2008}}</ref>


It initially provided [[Documentary film|documentary]] [[television program]]ming focused primarily on [[popular science]], technology, and history, but by the 2010s had expanded into [[reality television]] and [[pseudo-scientific]] entertainment.<ref name="Nahigyan">{{cite web|last1=Nahigyan|first1=Pierce|title=Discovery’s ‘Shark Week’ Criticized for Silliness, Pseudoscience and Lies|url=http://www.planetexperts.com/discoverys-shark-week-criticized-silliness-pseudoscience-lies/|website=Planet Experts|accessdate=April 17, 2017|date=August 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Kirk">{{cite web|last1=Kirk|first1=Chris|title=Wil Wheaton Says Discovery Channel Has “Betrayed Its Audience”|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/08/06/wil_wheaton_discovery_channel_megalodon_documentary_betrayed_viewers.html|website=Slate|accessdate=April 17, 2017|date=August 6, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Epstein">{{cite web|last1=Epstein|first1=Adam|title=The sad devolution of Discovery Channel|url=https://qz.com/249615/the-sad-devolution-of-discovery-channel/|website=Quartz|accessdate=April 17, 2017|date=August 15, 2014}}</ref> Programming on the flagship Discovery Channel in the U.S. is primarily focused on [[reality television]] series, such as speculative investigation (with shows such as ''[[MythBusters]]'', ''[[Unsolved History]]'', and ''[[Best Evidence]]''), automobiles, and occupations (such as ''[[Dirty Jobs]]'' and ''[[Deadliest Catch]]''); it also features documentaries specifically aimed at families and younger audiences.
It initially provided documentary television programming focused primarily on [[popular science]], technology, and history, but by the 2010s had expanded into reality television and [[pseudo-scientific]] entertainment.<ref name="Nahigyan">{{cite web|last1=Nahigyan|first1=Pierce|title=Discovery's 'Shark Week' Criticized for Silliness, Pseudoscience and Lies|url=http://www.planetexperts.com/discoverys-shark-week-criticized-silliness-pseudoscience-lies/|website=Planet Experts|access-date=April 17, 2017|date=August 19, 2014|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417160116/http://www.planetexperts.com/discoverys-shark-week-criticized-silliness-pseudoscience-lies/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Kirk">{{cite web|last1=Kirk|first1=Chris|title=Wil Wheaton Says Discovery Channel Has 'Betrayed Its Audience' |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/08/06/wil_wheaton_discovery_channel_megalodon_documentary_betrayed_viewers.html|website=Slate|access-date=April 17, 2017|date=August 6, 2013|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417161122/http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/08/06/wil_wheaton_discovery_channel_megalodon_documentary_betrayed_viewers.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Epstein">{{cite web|last1=Epstein|first1=Adam|title=The sad devolution of Discovery Channel|url=https://qz.com/249615/the-sad-devolution-of-discovery-channel/|website=Quartz|access-date=April 17, 2017|date=August 15, 2014|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417155620/https://qz.com/249615/the-sad-devolution-of-discovery-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref>


{{As of|2023|11}}, Discovery Channel is available to approximately 71,000,000 pay television households in the United States-down from its peak of 99,000,000 in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlenomics.com/u-s-cable-network-households-universe-1990-2023-nielsen-data/|title=U.S. cable network households (universe), 1990 – 2023|website=wrestlenomics.com|date=May 14, 2024|access-date=July 28, 2019|archive-date=December 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231073226/https://wrestlenomics.com/u-s-cable-network-households-universe-1990-2023-nielsen-data/|url-status=live}}</ref>
A popular annual feature on the channel is [[Shark Week]], which airs on Discovery during the summer months.<ref>[http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=64477 MediaPost Publications - Discovery Rebrands, Upgrades Marketing Efforts - 07/24/2007<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{dead link|date=January 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Despite its popularity and success, the program has garnered criticism, especially from the scientific community, for being scientifically inaccurate.<ref name="Nahigyan"/><ref name="Kirk"/><ref name="Epstein"/>

{{As of|2016|01}}, Discovery Channel is available to approximately 94,456,000 pay television households in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/content/cable-network-coverage-area-household-universe-estimates-january-2016/153590|title=Cable Network Coverage Area Household Universe Estimates: January 2016|work=Broadcasting and Cable|publisher=NewBay Media}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[John Hendricks]] founded the channel and its parent company, Cable Educational Network Inc., in 1982.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73614317.html?dids=73614317:73614317&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+19%2C+1988&author=Martie+Zad&pub=The+Washington+Post+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=The+Discovery+Channel%3B+Science%2C+Nature%2C+Adventure+and+Animals+That+Bite&pqatl=google|title=The Discovery Channel; Science, Nature, Adventure and Animals That Bite|date=June 19, 1988|publisher=The Washington Post | first=Martie | last=Zad}}</ref> Several investors (including the [[BBC]], [[Allen & Company]] and Venture America) raised $5 million in start-up capital to launch the network.
[[John Hendricks]] founded the channel and its parent company, Cable Educational Network Inc., in 1982.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73614317.html?dids=73614317:73614317&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+19%2C+1988&author=Martie+Zad&pub=The+Washington+Post+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=The+Discovery+Channel%3B+Science%2C+Nature%2C+Adventure+and+Animals+That+Bite&pqatl=google|title=The Discovery Channel; Science, Nature, Adventure and Animals That Bite|date=June 19, 1988|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Martie|last=Zad|access-date=July 6, 2017|archive-date=October 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027085230/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73614317.html?dids=73614317:73614317&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+19,+1988&author=Martie+Zad&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=The+Discovery+Channel;+Science,+Nature,+Adventure+and+Animals+That+Bite&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref> Several investors (including the [[BBC]], [[Allen & Company]], and Venture America) raised $5&nbsp;million in start-up capital to launch the network.


The Discovery Channel began broadcasting on June 17, 1985. It was initially available to 156,000 households and broadcast for 12 hours each day between 3 p.m. and 3 a.m. About 75 percent of its program content had never been broadcast on U.S. television before.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/16/movies/cable-tv-notes-a-channel-with-a-difference.html?&pagewanted=all|title=CABLE TV NOTES; A CHANNEL WITH A DIFFERENCE|date=June 16, 1985|publisher=New York Times | first=Steve | last=Schneider | accessdate=May 1, 2010}}</ref> In its early years, the channel's focus centered on educational programming in the form of cultural and wildlife documentaries, and science and historical [[television special|specials]]. It also broadcast some [[Television in the Soviet Union|Soviet programming]] during this time, including the news program ''[[Vremya]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963577,00.html|title=Television: The Russians Are Coming|date=February 23, 1987|publisher=Time}}</ref> In 1988, the channel premiered the nightly program ''World Monitor'' (produced by ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]''). In 1988, The Discovery Channel debuted an annual programming stunt called [[Shark Week]], the week-long event eventually gained in popularity starting in the 1990s and continues to be shown each summer on the channel to this day. By 1990, the channel was available in over 50 million households. {{citation needed|date=June 2012}}
The Discovery Channel began broadcasting on June 17, 1985. It was initially available to 156,000 households and broadcast for 12 hours each day between 3 p.m. and 3&nbsp;a.m. About 75 percent of its program content had never been broadcast on U.S. television before.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/16/movies/cable-tv-notes-a-channel-with-a-difference.html |title=CABLE TV NOTES; A CHANNEL WITH A DIFFERENCE|date=June 16, 1985|newspaper=The New York Times|first=Steve|last=Schneider|access-date=May 1, 2010|archive-date=July 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718061326/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/16/movies/cable-tv-notes-a-channel-with-a-difference.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In its early years, the channel's focus centered on educational programming in the form of cultural and wildlife documentaries, and science and historical [[television special|specials]]. It also broadcast some [[Television in the Soviet Union|Soviet programming]] during this time, including the news program ''[[Vremya]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963577,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417014020/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963577,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 17, 2008|title=Television: The Russians Are Coming|date=February 23, 1987|magazine=Time}}</ref> The channel also carried two [[teletext]] services over its [[Vertical blanking interval|VBI]] during this time, Infotext (offering news from the [[Associated Press]], as well as information about [[agribusiness]] and agriculture, including commodity prices from the [[Chicago Mercantile Exchange]] on a 15-minute delay), and Datavizion (offering trivia, strange news stories, games and a satellite TV guide); both services originated from [[PBS Wisconsin|WHA-TV]] in [[Madison, Wisconsin]], and were run by the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison|University of Wisconsin-Madison]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=In Brief.|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Broadcasting-IDX/1985-Broadcasting/1985-03-11-Broadcasting-Page-0028.pdf|access-date=February 13, 2021|website=World Radio History|archive-date=June 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616051510/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Broadcasting-IDX/1985-Broadcasting/1985-03-11-Broadcasting-Page-0028.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Graziplene|first=Leonard R.|title=Teletext : its promise and demise|date=2000|publisher=Lehigh University Press|isbn=0-934223-64-5|location=Bethlehem, PA|oclc=43434699<!--|access-date=February 13, 2021|archive-date=July 10, 2022-->}}</ref>


The channel began to shift its focus in the early [[2000s (decade)|2000s]] to attract a broader audience, by incorporating more [[reality television|reality-based series]] focusing on automotive, occupations, and speculative investigation series; though the refocused programming strategy proved popular, Discovery Channel's ratings began to decline by the middle of the decade. The drop in viewership was widely attributed to an over-reliance on a few hit series, such as ''[[Monster Garage]]'' and ''[[American Chopper]]''.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}} Some critics<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/science-sushi/2014/07/18/fraud-deception-lies-discoverys-shark-week-became-greatest-show-earth/#.U8nxmfldW0M|title=Fraud, Deception And Lies: How Discovery's Shark Week Became The Greatest Show On Earth - Science Sushi|date=18 July 2014|publisher=}}</ref> said such shows strayed from Discovery's intention of providing more educationally based shows aimed at helping viewers learn about the world around them. In 2005, Discovery changed its programming focus to include more [[popular science]] and historical themes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6361880.html|title=Page Not Found - Multichannel|publisher=}}</ref> The network's ratings eventually recovered in 2006.<ref>[http://corporate.discovery.com/news/press/06q2/083006.html DCI :: Press and News Releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124155038/http://corporate.discovery.com/news/press/06q2/083006.html |date=January 24, 2007 }}</ref>
The channel began to shift its focus in the early 2000s to attract a broader audience, by incorporating more [[reality television|reality-based series]] focusing on automotive, occupations, and speculative investigation series; though the refocused programming strategy proved popular, Discovery Channel's ratings began to decline by the middle of the decade. Some critics<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/fraud-deception-and-lies-how-discoverys-shark-week-became-the-greatest-show-on-earth|title=Fraud, Deception And Lies: How Discovery's Shark Week Became The Greatest Show On Earth Science Sushi|access-date=May 14, 2021|date=July 18, 2014|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514015750/https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/fraud-deception-and-lies-how-discoverys-shark-week-became-the-greatest-show-on-earth|url-status=live}}</ref> said such shows strayed from Discovery's intention of providing more educationally based shows aimed at helping viewers learn about the world around them. In 2005, Discovery changed its programming focus to include more [[popular science]] and historical themes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6361880.html|title=Dirty Work|date=August 14, 2006|work=Multichannel News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821194517/http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6361880.html|archive-date=August 21, 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=October 30, 2009}}</ref> The network's ratings eventually recovered in 2006.<ref>[http://corporate.discovery.com/news/press/06q2/083006.html DCI :: Press and News Releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124155038/http://corporate.discovery.com/news/press/06q2/083006.html |date=January 24, 2007}}</ref>


On January 4, 2006, Discovery Communications announced anchor [[Ted Koppel]], [[executive producer]] Tom Bettag and eight other former staff members from the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] newsmagazine ''[[Nightline (U.S. TV program)|Nightline]]'' were joining Discovery Channel. The network was nominated for seven [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s that year for shows including ''[[The Flight that Fought Back]]'' (a documentary about the hijacking of [[United Airlines Flight 93]] during the [[September 11 attacks|terrorist attacks]] of September 11, 2001) and ''[[Deadliest Catch]]'' (a reality series about a group of seafood fishermen).
On January 4, 2006, Discovery Communications announced that anchor [[Ted Koppel]], executive producer Tom Bettag, and eight other former staff members from the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] newsmagazine ''[[Nightline (U.S. TV program)|Nightline]]'' were joining Discovery Channel. The network was nominated for seven [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s that year for shows including ''[[The Flight that Fought Back]]'' (a documentary about the hijacking of [[United Airlines Flight 93]] during the [[September 11 attacks|terrorist attacks]] of September 11, 2001) and ''[[Deadliest Catch]]'' (a reality series about a group of seafood fishermen).


In 2007, Discovery Channel's top series included the Emmy Award- and Peabody Award-winning ''[[Planet Earth (2006 TV series)|Planet Earth]]'', ''[[Dirty Jobs]]'', ''[[MythBusters]]'', and ''[[Deadliest Catch]]''. Discovery Channel's 2008 lineup included ''[[Fight Quest]]'' and ''[[Smash Lab]]''.<ref>[http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/planet-earth 67th Annual Peabody Awards], May 2008.</ref>
In 2007, Discovery Channel's top series included the Emmy Award– and Peabody Award–winning ''[[Planet Earth (2006 TV series)|Planet Earth]]'', ''[[Dirty Jobs]]'', ''[[MythBusters]]'', and ''[[Deadliest Catch]]''. Discovery Channel's 2008 lineup included ''[[Fight Quest]]'' and ''[[Smash Lab]]''.<ref>[http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/planet-earth 67th Annual Peabody Awards] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204180547/http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/planet-earth |date=December 4, 2014 }}), May 2008.</ref>


On September 1, 2010, [[Discovery Communications headquarters hostage crisis|43-year-old James Jay Lee entered]] the Discovery Communications headquarters in [[Silver Spring, Maryland]], armed with a handgun. Lee fired at least one shot and held several employees hostage; he was later shot dead by police.<ref name="Fox">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/01/maryland-police-respond-hostage-situation-man-gun-enters-building/|title=Armed Man With Bomb Takes at Least One Hostage in Discovery Channel Building|date=September 1, 2010|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]|accessdate=September 1, 2010}}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/09/01/maryland.discovery.suspect/?hpt=Sbin#fbid=GouODzfd7D_&wom=false|title=Suspect in Maryland hostage situation published angry online manifesto|date=September 1, 2010|publisher=[[CNN]]|accessdate=September 1, 2010}}</ref> Lee had published criticisms of the network at Savetheplanetprotest.com.<ref name="CNN"/>
On September 1, 2010, [[Discovery Communications headquarters hostage crisis|43-year-old James Jay Lee entered]] the Discovery Communications headquarters in [[Silver Spring, Maryland]], armed with a handgun. Lee fired at least one shot and held several employees hostage; he was later shot dead by police.<ref name="Fox">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/01/maryland-police-respond-hostage-situation-man-gun-enters-building/|title=Armed Man With Bomb Takes at Least One Hostage in Discovery Channel Building|date=September 1, 2010|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]|access-date=September 1, 2010|archive-date=September 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901210347/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/01/maryland-police-respond-hostage-situation-man-gun-enters-building/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/09/01/maryland.discovery.suspect/ |title=Suspect in Maryland hostage situation published angry online manifesto|date=September 1, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220418050345/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/09/01/maryland.discovery.suspect/ |archive-date= 2022-04-18|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=September 1, 2010}}</ref> Lee had published criticisms of the network at Savetheplanetprotest.com.<ref name="CNN"/>


In December 2015, Discovery Communications launched its [[TV Everywhere]] service, Discovery Go, which features live and video-on-demand content from Discovery Channel and eight of its sister networks.<ref name="mcn-discoverygo">{{cite web|title=Discovery Bows TV Everywhere App|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/discovery-bows-tv-everywhere-app/395629|website=Multichannel News|accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref>
In December 2015, Discovery Communications launched its [[TV Everywhere]] service, Discovery Go, which features live and video-on-demand content from Discovery Channel and eight of its sister networks.<ref name="mcn-discoverygo">{{cite web|title=Discovery Bows TV Everywhere App|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/discovery-bows-tv-everywhere-app/395629|website=Multichannel News|access-date=January 8, 2016|archive-date=December 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203203209/http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/discovery-bows-tv-everywhere-app/395629|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Programming==
==Programming==
{{main|List of programs broadcast by Discovery Channel}}
{{main|List of Discovery Channel original programming}}
Programming on the flagship Discovery Channel in the U.S. is primarily focused on reality television series, such as speculative investigation (with shows such as ''[[MythBusters]]'', ''[[Unsolved History]]'', and ''[[Best Evidence]]''), automobiles, and occupations (such as ''[[Dirty Jobs]]'' and ''[[Deadliest Catch]]''). A popular annual feature on the channel is [[Shark Week]], which airs on Discovery during the summer months.<ref>[http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=64477 MediaPost Publications – Discovery Rebrands, Upgrades Marketing Efforts – 07/24/2007<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{dead link|date=January 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
Popular programs on the channel have included the [[Shark Week]] programming event, ''[[Deadliest Catch]]'', ''[[MythBusters]]'', ''[[How It's Made]]'', ''[[Dirty Jobs]]'', ''[[Cash Cab]]'', and ''[[Man vs. Wild]]''. [[Christopher Lowell]] won a [[Daytime Emmy Award]] in 2000 for ''The Christopher Lowell Show'' (which aired on the Discovery Channel from 1998 to 2001).{{citation needed|date=January 2012}}

Discovery has also featured documentaries specifically aimed at families and younger audiences. Other popular programs have included ''[[How It's Made]]'', ''[[Cash Cab (American game show)|Cash Cab]]'', and ''[[Man vs. Wild]]''.


==Non-television ventures==
==Non-television ventures==
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===Pro Cycling Team===
===Pro Cycling Team===
{{main|Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team}}
{{main|Discovery Channel 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 the then-seven-time [[Tour de France]] winner [[Lance Armstrong]], whose wins were voided after he was proven to have cheated via doping. After the 2007 victory with the Spaniard [[Alberto Contador]], Discovery Channel discontinued the cycling sponsorship.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/10/sports/othersports/10cycling.html|title=Discovery to End Sponsorship of Team|last=Wyatt|first=Edward|date=2007-02-10|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-10-09|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/discovery-channel-to-end-sponsorship/|title=Discovery Channel to end sponsorship {{!}} Cyclingnews.com|work=Cyclingnews.com|access-date=2017-10-09|language=en-gb}}</ref>
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 the then-seven-time [[Tour de France]] winner [[Lance Armstrong]], whose wins were voided after he was proven to have cheated via doping. After the 2007 victory with the Spaniard [[Alberto Contador]], Discovery Channel discontinued the cycling sponsorship.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/10/sports/othersports/10cycling.html|title=Discovery to End Sponsorship of Team|last=Wyatt|first=Edward|date=February 10, 2007|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 9, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010104455/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/10/sports/othersports/10cycling.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/discovery-channel-to-end-sponsorship/|title=Discovery Channel to end sponsorship|work=Cyclingnews.com|access-date=October 9, 2017|language=en-gb|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010032221/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/discovery-channel-to-end-sponsorship/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Discovery Channel Radio===
Discovery Channel Radio was a radio network whose programming consisted of [[sound|audio]] versions of popular programs from the Discovery Communications family of television channels. Discovery Channel Radio was previously carried by [[XM Satellite Radio]], until its removal from the provider in early September 2005. [[Sirius Satellite Radio]] dropped Discovery Radio from its lineup on February 21, 2007; it was also carried on both of Canada's major [[satellite radio]] services.{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}


===Store===
===Store===
{{About|the US chain of stores|the former gadget store chain in the United Kingdom|The Discovery Store}}
Discovery Channel lent its brand to retail stores in malls and other locations across America, and to an online store. The store's specialty products were educational gifts, videos, books, CD-ROMs and educational kits, most of which were manufactured with the Discovery Channel brand name.{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}


The Discovery Channel stores first opened in 1995. By 1997, the chain had 17 US and 1 UK stores. At that time, the chain was building a Washington, DC flagship store with three level themed to various environments, sea & underground, land and outer space, aviation & science to be opened in February 1998 with another flagship store in San Francisco to be opened in November 1998<ref>{{cite news|last1=White|first1=George|title=New Theme Player|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1997/sep/16/business/fi-32873/2|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 16, 1997|accessdate=February 7, 2017|page=2}}</ref>
The Discovery Channel stores first opened in 1995. By 1997, the chain had 17 US and 1 UK stores. At that time, the chain was building a flagship store in Washington, DC, with three levels themed to various environments—sea and underground, land and outer space, aviation and science—to be opened in February 1998, with another flagship store in San Francisco to be opened in November 1998.<ref>{{cite news|last1=White|first1=George|title=New Theme Player|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1997/sep/16/business/fi-32873/2|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 16, 1997|page=2|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208035821/http://articles.latimes.com/1997/sep/16/business/fi-32873/2|archive-date=February 8, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2017}}</ref>


On May 17, 2007, Discovery Communications announced it would close its standalone and mall-based stores. Hudson Group will continue to operate the Discovery Channel Airport Stores, and the website remains in operation.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/17/news/companies/discovery/?postversion=2007051717 | work=CNN | title=Discovery shuttering 103 locations | date=May 17, 2007 | accessdate=May 1, 2010}}</ref>
On May 17, 2007, Discovery Communications announced it would close its standalone and mall-based stores. Hudson Group will continue to operate the Discovery Channel Airport Stores, and the website remains in operation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2007/05/17/news/companies/discovery/?postversion=2007051717|work=CNN|title=Discovery shuttering 103 locations|date=May 17, 2007|access-date=May 1, 2010|archive-date=June 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614011220/http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/17/news/companies/discovery/?postversion=2007051717|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Telescope===
===Telescope===
{{main|Discovery Channel Telescope}}
{{main|Lowell Discovery Telescope}}
Discovery Channel funded the construction of the [[Discovery Channel Telescope]], in partnership with [[Lowell Observatory]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bu.edu/cas/boston-university-joins-discovery-channel-telescope-partners-for-celebration-of-%E2%80%9Cfirst-light%E2%80%9D/|title=Boston University Joins Discovery Channel Telescope Partners for Celebration of “First Light” {{!}} Arts & Sciences|website=www.bu.edu|language=en|access-date=2017-10-09}}</ref>
Discovery Channel funded the construction of the [[Lowell Discovery Telescope]], in partnership with [[Lowell Observatory]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bu.edu/cas/boston-university-joins-discovery-channel-telescope-partners-for-celebration-of-%E2%80%9Cfirst-light%E2%80%9D/|title=Boston University Joins Discovery Channel Telescope Partners for Celebration of "First Light" {{!}} Arts & Sciences|website=www.bu.edu|language=en|access-date=October 9, 2017|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010004700/http://www.bu.edu/cas/boston-university-joins-discovery-channel-telescope-partners-for-celebration-of-%E2%80%9Cfirst-light%E2%80%9D/|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Website===
===Website===
Discovery.com is the Discovery Channel's official website, which primarily provides information on the channel's programming and additional content, including games, tied to those shows.{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
Discovery.com is the Discovery Channel's official website, which primarily provides information on the channel's programming and additional content, including articles, tied to those shows.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shows |url=https://www.discovery.com/shows |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Discovery |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TV Schedule |url=https://www.discovery.com/shows/tv-schedule |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Discovery |language=en |archive-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027145537/https://www.discovery.com/shows/tv-schedule |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Marketing and branding==
==Marketing and branding==
[[File:Discovery1985.svg|100px|thumb|left|The logo of Discovery Channel from 1987 to 1995.]]
[[File:Discovery1985.svg|100px|thumb|left|The logo of Discovery Channel from 1987 to 1995.]]
The Discovery Channel's first logo was a television screen picturing a map of the world. For two decades, starting in 1987, the channel's logo incorporated the Discovery wordmark rendered in the Aurora Bold Condensed font with a circular shape in front of it. The circle usually took the form of a rising sun, or an animated version of the [[Vitruvian Man]]. Discovery Channel's previous [[slogan]]s had been "Explore Your World" and "There's No Thrill Like Discovery." Keeping with its changing focus away from strictly educational programming toward reality TV, the slogan was changed in the early 2000s to "Entertain Your Brain".{{cn|date=April 2019}}
The Discovery Channel's first logo was a television screen picturing a map of the world. For two decades, starting in 1987, the channel's logo incorporated the Discovery wordmark rendered in the Aurora Bold Condensed font with a circular shape in front of it. The circle usually took the form of a rising sun, or an animated version of the [[Vitruvian Man]]. Discovery Channel's previous [[slogan]]s had been "Explore Your World" and "There's No Thrill Like Discovery." Keeping with its changing focus away from strictly educational programming toward reality TV, the slogan was changed in the early 2000s to "Entertain Your Brain".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shin |first=Annys |date=June 17, 2004 |title=Discovery Channel Hopes TV Ads Find Their Target |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2004/06/17/discovery-channel-hopes-tv-ads-find-their-target/e1a96c43-7be2-467b-be7b-631a16684ded/ |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>


In 1995, the channel's name was simplified to "Discovery Channel", dropping "The" from its name. A globe became a permanent part of the logo, and an underline was added to the bottom of the logo. During this time, the company started expanding and launched several new networks. Many of the sister networks used logo designs similar to the one used by Discovery, often incorporating the globe and using the same typeface. Networks that had logos based on Discovery's included [[Animal Planet]], [[Travel Channel]], [[Science (TV channel)|Discovery Science]], [[Military Channel|Discovery Wings]] and [[Destination America|Discovery Home & Leisure]].{{cn|date=April 2019}}
In 1995, the channel's name was simplified to "Discovery Channel", dropping "The" from its name. A globe became a permanent part of the logo, and an underline was added to the bottom of the logo


On March 31, 2008, Discovery unveiled a new logo, which took effect on-air on April 15, 2008 (coinciding with the fourth season premiere of ''Deadliest Catch''). The new logo was designed by Viewpoint Creative, and integrated Discovery's long-time globe iconography into the "D" lettering of the wordmark, creating a [[monogram]] that was usable as a standalone icon. The launch was accompanied by a new advertising campaign, "The World is Just Awesome", which featured scenes of Discovery personalities singing an adapted version of the song "I Love the Mountains". Discovery Channel president John Ford explained that the campaign was intended to "showcase our earned place in the greater pop culture landscape".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/discovery-times-new-branding-campaign-deadliest-catch-debut-366142|title=Discovery Times New Branding Campaign To 'Deadliest Catch' Debut|last=Haugsted|first=Linda Moss & Linda|website=Multichannel|date=March 31, 2008|language=en-us|access-date=April 9, 2019|archive-date=May 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515042232/https://www.multichannel.com/news/discovery-times-new-branding-campaign-deadliest-catch-debut-366142|url-status=live}}</ref>
With its shift to reality-driven programming in the 2000's, Discovery introduced the slogan "Let's All Discover", with promos featuring the line being completed with a phrase relevant to the program (such as for ''MythBusters'', "...why no myth is safe.").{{cn|date=April 2019}}


In August 2013 (coinciding with ''Shark Week''), the aforementioned monogram became the main on-air logo as part of a new imaging campaign, "Grab Life By the Globe", which was designed to emphasize the channel's current focus on personality-driven programming. The logo was portrayed in promos with visual effects relevant to their respective program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adage.com/article/media/shark-week-ushers-discovery-channel-revamp/243411|title='Shark Week' Ushers in Discovery Channel Revamp|date=August 2, 2013|website=Ad Age|language=en|access-date=April 9, 2019|archive-date=May 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515042236/https://adage.com/article/media/shark-week-ushers-discovery-channel-revamp/243411|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Discovery 2016.svg|thumb|Logo from 2016-2019; It is a simplified version of the logo that debuted in 2008, which featured the entire word Discovery, and of the 2013 logo, which did not have the circle. ]]


On March 31, 2008, Discovery unveiled a new logo, which took effect on-air on April 15, 2008 (coinciding with the fourth season premiere of ''Deadliest Catch''). The new logo was designed by Viewpoint Creative, and integrated Discovery's long-time globe iconography into the "D" lettering of the wordmark, creating a [[monogram]] that was usable as a standalone icon. The launch was accompanied by a new advertising campaign, "[[I Love the World|The World is Just Awesome]]", which featured scenes of Discovery personalities singing an adapted version of the song "I Love the Mountains". Discovery Channel president John Ford explained that the campaign was intended to "showcase our earned place in the greater pop culture landscape".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/discovery-times-new-branding-campaign-deadliest-catch-debut-366142|title=Discovery Times New Branding Campaign To ‘Deadliest Catch’ Debut|last=Haugsted|first=By Linda Moss & Linda|website=Multichannel|language=en-us|access-date=2019-04-09}}</ref>
On April 1, 2019, Discovery unveiled a new logo, maintaining a refreshed version of the previous globe and D monogram. The new branding is accompanied by another new imaging campaign, "The World is Ours", which features scenes of Discovery personalities singing the [[Blue Swede]] version of "[[Hooked on a Feeling]]". The static version of the globe icon uses a non-standard [[Map projection|projection]] that shows all continents, reflecting Discovery's presence as an international brand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/discovery-launches-global-brand-refresh-1198545|title=Discovery Launches Global Brand Refresh (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 2019|language=en|access-date=April 9, 2019|archive-date=April 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406203225/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/discovery-launches-global-brand-refresh-1198545|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Related and international units==
In August 2013 (coinciding with ''Shark Week'') Discovery introduced a refreshed on-air branding, which made the aforementioned monogram (now portrayed in various themed forms in promos, tailored to the type of program) the main logo for the channel. The branding was introduced through a new imaging campaign, "Grab Life By the Globe", which was designed to emphasize the channel's current focus on personality-driven programming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adage.com/article/media/shark-week-ushers-discovery-channel-revamp/243411|title='Shark Week' Ushers in Discovery Channel Revamp|date=2013-08-02|website=Ad Age|language=en|access-date=2019-04-09}}</ref>
===Related channel===
==== Discovery en Español ====
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Discovery en Español
| logo =Discovery en Español (2020).svg
| logo_size = 200px
| country = [[United States]]
| headquarters = [[Miami]], [[Florida]], [[United States]]
| language = [[Spanish Language|Spanish]]
| owner = [[Warner Bros. Discovery]]
| parent= [[Warner Bros. Discovery Networks]]
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />(downscaled to [[letterboxed]] [[480i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)
| launch_date = {{start date and age|1998}}
| website = {{URL|discoveryenespañol.com}}
| online_serv_1 = [[Fubo TV]]
| online_chan_1 = [https://www.fubo.tv/lp/latino/?title=Watch%20Discovery%20en%20Español%20on%20fuboTV&sr=watchLiveHPbutton Live Stream]
}}
'''Discovery en Español''' is an American [[pay television]] channel that was launched as the [[Spanish language|Spanish-language]] version of the Discovery Channel. It is operated by the Latin American division of [[Warner Bros. Discovery|Warner Bros. Discovery International]] in [[Miami, Florida]].


{{As of|February 2015|post=,}} approximately 6,476,000 American households (5.6% of households with television) receive Discovery en Español.<ref>{{cite web |last=Seidman |first=Robert |date=February 22, 2015 |title=List of how many homes each cable network is in as of February 2015 |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/22/list-of-how-many-homes-each-cable-network-is-in-as-of-february-2015/366230/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223220414/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/22/list-of-how-many-homes-each-cable-network-is-in-as-of-february-2015/366230/ |archive-date=February 23, 2015 |access-date=March 14, 2015 |work=TV by the Numbers |publisher=Zap2it}}</ref>
On April 1, 2019, Discovery unveiled a new logo, maintaining a refreshed version of the previous globe and D monogram. The new branding is accompanied by another new imaging campaign, "The World is Ours", which features scenes of Discovery personalities singing "[[Hooked on a Feeling]]". The static version of the globe icon uses a non-standard [[Map projection|projection]] that shows all continents, reflecting Discovery's presence as an international brand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/discovery-launches-global-brand-refresh-1198545|title=Discovery Launches Global Brand Refresh (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|access-date=2019-04-09}}</ref>
===International===
Discovery Channel reaches 431&nbsp;million homes in 170 countries. Discovery Communications currently offers 29 network brands in 33 languages. In a number of countries, Discovery's channels are available on [[Digital data|digital]] [[direct broadcast satellite|satellite]] platforms with multiple [[language]] soundtracks or [[subtitles]] including Spanish, German, Russian, [[Czech Language|Czech]], [[Hindi]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Dutch language|Dutch]], Portuguese, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, [[Turkish language|Turkish]], Greek, [[Polish language|Polish]], Hungarian, [[Romanian language|Romanian]], Arabic, [[Slovene language|Slovene]], Japanese, Korean and [[Serbian language|Serbian]]. In 2011, a separate [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language channel was launched. In [[Bulgaria]], Discovery has, since 2000–2001, displayed [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]] subtitles by all cable providers and since 2010 – with Bulgarian dubbing for some shows.


====Australia and New Zealand====
==International==
{{main|Discovery Channel (Australia and New Zealand)}}
Discovery Channel reaches 431 million homes in 170 countries. Discovery Communications currently offers 29 network brands in 33 languages. In a number of countries, Discovery's channels are available on [[Digital data|digital]] [[direct broadcast satellite|satellite]] platforms with multiple [[language]] [[soundtrack]]s or [[subtitles]] including Spanish, German, Russian, [[Czech Language|Czech]], [[Hindi]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Dutch language|Dutch]], Portuguese, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, [[Turkish language|Turkish]], Greek, [[Polish language|Polish]], Hungarian, [[Romanian language|Romanian]], [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Slovene language|Slovene]], Japanese, Korean and [[Serbian language|Serbian]]. In [[Bulgaria]], Discovery has, since 2000–2001, displayed [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]] subtitles by all cable providers and since 2010 – with Bulgarian dubbing for some shows.
In Australia, the Discovery Channel is part of a six-channel package (not including timeshifts) on digital subscription television, available on [[Foxtel]], [[Optus TV]] and [[AUSTAR]].


In New Zealand, the Australian version of Discovery is broadcast on [[SKY Network Television]].
===Canada===
====Canada====
{{main|Discovery (Canada)}}
{{main|Discovery (Canada)}}
The Canadian version of Discovery was established in 1995, and is currently owned by a joint venture between [[Bell Media]] (via the subsidiary CTV Specialty Television; [[ESPN Inc.]] is a minority partner in this subsidiary due its [[NetStar Communications|ties]] to sports channel [[The Sports Network|TSN]]) and Discovery Inc.
The Canadian version of Discovery was established in 1995, and is currently owned by a joint venture between [[Bell Media]] (via the subsidiary CTV Specialty Television; [[ESPN Inc.]] is a minority partner in this subsidiary due its [[NetStar Communications|ties]] to sports channel [[The Sports Network|TSN]]) and Discovery Inc.


The channel airs similar programming to its U.S. counterpart, but also airs [[Canadian content|domestically-produced programs]] to comply with local broadcasting regulations (which, in the past, included the daily science newsmagazine ''[[Daily Planet (TV series)|Daily Planet]]'' cancelled in 2018). Some of its original series (such as, most prominently, ''[[How It's Made]]'') have been picked up in the U.S. by Discovery's sister networks (such as [[Science Channel]]), but others have not necessarily aired on Discovery's networks. Since 2018, the channel has increasingly aired blocks of fiction programming with science- or technology-oriented themes.
The channel airs similar programming to its U.S. counterpart, but also airs [[Canadian content|domestically produced programs]] to comply with local broadcasting regulations (which, in the past, included the daily science newsmagazine ''[[Daily Planet (TV series)|Daily Planet]]'' cancelled in 2018). Some of its original series (such as, most prominently, ''[[How It's Made]]'') have been picked up in the U.S. by Discovery's sister networks (such as [[Science Channel]]), but others have not necessarily aired on Discovery's networks. Since 2018, the channel has increasingly aired blocks of fiction programming with science- or technology-oriented themes.
====India====
{{Main|Discovery Channel (India)}}

Discovery Channel was launched in 1995 in India broadcasting originally in English and Hindi. In June 2010, a Bengali audio track was added to the channel as well as a Telugu track in October 21 of that same year.<ref name="Bangla">{{cite web | url=http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2011/05/discovery-channel-launches-bangla-feed | title=Discovery channel launches Bangla feed | publisher=BestMediaInfo | date=May 11, 2011 | access-date=May 11, 2011 | archive-date=May 13, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513104506/http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2011/05/discovery-channel-launches-bangla-feed/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Discovery Channel in Telugu | url= http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/television/article293395.ece | access-date= September 26, 2015 | archive-date= September 27, 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150927170814/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/television/article293395.ece | url-status= dead }}</ref> On August 15, 2011, a separate Tamil-language channel was launched<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discoverychannel.co.in/tv-shows/discovery-tamil-rebrand|title=Discovery Tamil Rebrand|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020074323/http://www.discoverychannel.co.in/tv-shows/discovery-tamil-rebrand/|archive-date=October 20, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> with an estimate audience of 10&nbsp;million households.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/discovery-networks-to-launch-24hour-tamil-c/829828/ | title=Discovery Networks to launch 24-hour Tamil channel | newspaper=The Indian Express | date=August 10, 2011 | access-date=September 10, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.medianewsline.com/news/118/ARTICLE/9508/2012-07-19.html | title=Discovery Channel Tamil now available on Dish TV | publisher=Login Media Publishing | date=July 19, 2012 | access-date=September 10, 2012 | last=Manohar | first=Sandhya | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728034439/http://www.medianewsline.com/news/118/ARTICLE/9508/2012-07-19.html | archive-date=July 28, 2012 | url-status=dead}}</ref>
Discovery recently launched Discovery Plus, a new streaming service for India priced at ₹300 per year, offering content in eight languages—[[English Language|English]], [[Hindi]], [[Tamil Language|Tamil]], [[Telugu Language|Telugu]], [[Malayalam]], [[Kannada]], [[Bengali Language|Bengali]] and [[Marathi Language|Marathi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/discovery-launches-discovery-plus-new-streaming-service-for-india-11584355463152.html|title=Discovery launches Discovery Plus, new streaming service for India|last=Jha|first=Lata|date=March 16, 2020|website=Livemint|language=en|access-date=March 26, 2020|archive-date=March 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326131546/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/discovery-launches-discovery-plus-new-streaming-service-for-india-11584355463152.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Europe===
====Europe====
{{main|Discovery Channel Europe}}
{{main|Discovery Channel Europe}}
In the United Kingdom, Discovery Channel UK airs some common programs as the U.S. version, including ''[[MythBusters]]'', ''[[American Chopper]]'', ''[[How It's Made]]'' and ''[[Deadliest Catch]]''. The channel is carried as a basic subscription channel on the [[Sky (UK and Ireland)|SKY]]digital satellite service and digital cable provider [[Virgin Media]]. Discovery UK also operates Discovery HD, Discovery Knowledge, Discovery Turbo, Discovery Science, Animal Planet, DMAX, Discovery Real Time, Discovery Home & Health, Discovery Travel & Leisure and Discovery Shed. Many of these channels also have timeshifted versions. In the [[Republic of Ireland]], the UK version of Discovery Channel is available on most cable providers in that country, but with local advertisements.
In the United Kingdom, Discovery Channel UK airs some common programs as the U.S. version, including ''[[MythBusters]]'', ''[[American Chopper]]'', ''[[How It's Made]]'' and ''[[Deadliest Catch]]''. The channel is carried as a basic subscription channel on the [[Sky (UK and Ireland)|SKY]]digital satellite service and digital cable provider [[Virgin Media]]. Discovery UK also operates Discovery HD, Discovery Knowledge, Discovery Turbo, Discovery Science, Animal Planet, DMAX, Discovery Real Time, Discovery Home & Health, Discovery Travel & Leisure and Discovery Shed. Many of these channels also have timeshifted versions. In the [[Republic of Ireland]], the UK version of Discovery Channel is available on most cable providers in that country, but with local advertisements.
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In Italy, the Discovery Channel (and HD) is distributed via satellite by [[Sky Italia]] as part of the documentary pack. In addition, Italy has four Discovery-branded channels: Discovery Science, Discovery Real Time, Discovery Animal Planet and Discovery Travel and Living.
In Italy, the Discovery Channel (and HD) is distributed via satellite by [[Sky Italia]] as part of the documentary pack. In addition, Italy has four Discovery-branded channels: Discovery Science, Discovery Real Time, Discovery Animal Planet and Discovery Travel and Living.


In [[Bulgaria]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Croatia]], [[Hungary]], [[Poland]], [[Romania]], [[Slovakia]], [[Serbia]] and [[Slovenia]], Discovery Channel is carried by most cable television and [[IPTV]] providers with all the content subtitled in the respective languages. Additionally, it is also available on digital satellite platforms in Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia (sometimes requiring an additional fee). In Poland, [[nc+]] broadcasts the programs dubbed in Polish and in original English. A few other channels from Discovery are also in offer, like Discovery Historia, launched in cooperation with Polish broadcaster [[TVN (Poland)|TVN]], which later ended.
In [[Bulgaria]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Croatia]], [[Hungary]], [[Poland]], [[Romania]], [[Slovakia]], [[Serbia]] and [[Slovenia]], Discovery Channel is carried by most cable television and [[IPTV]] providers with all the content subtitled in the respective languages. Additionally, it is also available on digital satellite platforms in Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia (sometimes requiring an additional fee). In Poland, [[nc+]] broadcasts the programs dubbed in Polish and in original English. A few other channels from Discovery are also in offer, like Discovery Historia, launched in cooperation with Polish broadcaster [[TVN (Poland)|TVN]], which later ended.


In Spain, the channel shares a schedule and programs with Portugal and is available on most satellite and cable platforms, making it possible to broadcast both in Spanish and Portuguese. In Spain, all programs are dubbed; whereas in Portugal, most of them are subtitled. In addition, Portugal has three Discovery-branded channels: [[Discovery Turbo]] (focusing on motorsports), [[Discovery Science]] (focusing on science and technology) and [[Discovery Civilization]] (focusing on historical events). These channels follow the same model as the original Discovery Channel, except for the absence of advertising. Spanish advertisements are broadcast on the Portuguese feed, non-subtitled or dubbed.
In Spain, the channel shares a schedule and programs with Portugal and is available on most satellite and cable platforms, making it possible to broadcast both in Spanish and Portuguese. In Spain, all programs are dubbed; whereas in Portugal, most of them are subtitled. In addition, Portugal has three Discovery-branded channels: [[Discovery Turbo]] (focusing on motorsports), [[Discovery Science (European TV channel)|Discovery Science]] (focusing on science and technology) and [[Discovery Civilization]] (focusing on historical events). These channels follow the same model as the original Discovery Channel, except for the absence of advertising. Spanish advertisements are broadcast on the Portuguese feed, non-subtitled or dubbed.
====Southeast Asia====

===Australia and New Zealand===
{{main|Discovery Channel (Australia and New Zealand)}}
In Australia, the Discovery Channel is part of a six-channel package (not including timeshifts) on digital subscription television, available on [[Foxtel]], [[Optus TV]] and [[AUSTAR]].

In New Zealand, the Australian version of Discovery is broadcast on [[SKY Network Television]].

===Southeast Asia===
{{main|Discovery Channel (Southeast Asia)}}
{{main|Discovery Channel (Southeast Asia)}}
In [[South East Asia]], Discovery Channel is available on digital subscription television. Discovery Channel Asia still shows crime programs (such as ''[[Most Evil]]'' and ''[[The FBI Files]]''). Many programs feature development and society in Asian countries, especially in India and China. Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore have other channels branched from the main Discovery Channel, including Discovery Turbo, Discovery Science, Discovery Home & Health and [[Discovery Travel & Living]].
In [[South East Asia]], Discovery Channel is available on digital subscription television. Discovery Channel Asia still shows crime programs (such as ''[[Most Evil]]'' and ''[[The FBI Files]]''). Many programs feature development and society in Asian countries, especially in India and China. Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore have other channels branched from the main Discovery Channel, including Discovery Turbo, Discovery Science, Discovery Home & Health and [[Discovery Travel & Living]].
Line 146: Line 145:
The [[Philippines]] has its own semifeed derived from the Southeast Asian channel, in which offers [[regional variation]]s with local advertisements during the commercial breaks.
The [[Philippines]] has its own semifeed derived from the Southeast Asian channel, in which offers [[regional variation]]s with local advertisements during the commercial breaks.


===India===
====South Africa====
In South Africa, Discovery Channel shares a schedule and programming with all of Africa, the Middle East and Turkey. Discovery Channel and sibling channels [[Discovery World (TV channel)|Discovery World]], [[TLC (TV network)|TLC]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Satellite pay-TV operator loses TLC channel|url = http://www.channel24.co.za/TV/News/Satellite-pay-TV-operator-loses-TLC-channel-20131220|access-date = May 9, 2015|archive-date = September 23, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222046/http://www.channel24.co.za/TV/News/Satellite-pay-TV-operator-loses-TLC-channel-20131220|url-status = live}}</ref> [[Investigation Discovery Europe|Investigation Discovery]] and Animal Planet are available on the DStv/Multichoice platform.
{{Main|Discovery Channel (India)}}
Discovery Channel India provides audio feed in 3 Indian languages [[Hindi]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Bengali language|Bengali]] along with [[English language|English]] and a dedicated channel in [[Tamil language|Tamil]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discoverychannel.co.in/tv-shows/discovery-tamil-rebrand|title=Discovery Tamil Rebrand}}</ref>
<ref name="Bangla">{{cite web | url=http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2011/05/discovery-channel-launches-bangla-feed | title=Discovery channel launches Bangla feed| publisher=BestMediaInfo | date=May 11, 2011 | accessdate=May 11, 2011}}</ref>

*Hindi: Discovery Channel started offering Hindi audio feed in 1998.

*Telugu: Discovery Channel offers its programs in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] version in 24-hour format from 21 October 2010 by all cable and dth services in [[High-definition television|HD]] and [[MPEG]] formats <ref>{{cite web| title= Discovery Channel in Telugu | url= http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/television/article293395.ece}}</ref>

*Bangla: Discovery Channel started offering its programs in [[Bengali language|Bangla]] version from 2011.<ref name="Bangla"/>

*Tamil: On August 15, 2011, Discovery launched a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] version of the channel. In July 2012, it began to be carried by [[Dish TV]]. At that time, the channel reached over 10 million households in [[Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nadu, India]] via [[analog transmission]]. All the programmes are dubbed in Tamil and it has been receiving tremendous responses.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/discovery-networks-to-launch-24hour-tamil-c/829828/ | title=Discovery Networks to launch 24-hour Tamil channel | publisher=The Indian Express | date=August 10, 2011 | accessdate=September 10, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.medianewsline.com/news/118/ARTICLE/9508/2012-07-19.html | title=Discovery Channel Tamil now available on Dish TV | publisher=Login Media Publishing | date=July 19, 2012 | accessdate=September 10, 2012 | author=Manohar, Sandhya}}</ref>

===South Africa===
In South Africa, Discovery Channel shares a schedule and programming with all of Africa, the Middle East and Turkey. Discovery Channel and sibling channels [[Discovery World (TV channel)|Discovery World]], [[TLC (TV network)|TLC]],<ref>{{Cite web|title = Satellite pay-TV operator loses TLC channel|url = http://www.channel24.co.za/TV/News/Satellite-pay-TV-operator-loses-TLC-channel-20131220|accessdate = 2015-05-09}}</ref> [[Investigation Discovery Europe|Investigation Discovery]] and Animal Planet are available on the DStv/Multichoice platform.


==Controversies==
==Controversies==
===''Man vs. Wild''===
In March 2008, the star of the channel's produced show ''[[Man vs. Wild]]'' apologized for it being "fake".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7304617.stm "Grylls apologises for 'fake' show"], BBC. March 19, 2008. Retrieved 28 jan 2017</ref>

===RFID===
===RFID===
In August 2008, it was reported by ''The Consumerist'' that Discovery Channel had preempted an episode of ''[[MythBusters]]'' examining [[RFID]] security in regard to its implementation in [[credit cards]] before its original broadcast because the episode would upset credit card companies, who are major advertisers on Discovery Channel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mythbusters Gagged: Credit Card Companies Kill Episode Exposing RFID Security Flaws|url=http://consumerist.com/5043831/mythbusters-gagged-credit-card-companies-kill-episode-exposing-rfid-security-flaws|accessdate=2008-12-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008204341/http://consumerist.com/5043831/mythbusters-gagged-credit-card-companies-kill-episode-exposing-rfid-security-flaws|archive-date=2009-10-08|dead-url=yes|df=}}</ref> It was later determined that the decision not to investigate the issue was made by [[Beyond Productions]], the ''MythBusters'' production company, and was not made by Discovery Channel or their advertising department.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mythbusters Host Retracts RFID Censorship Comments|url=http://consumerist.com/5045633/mythbusters-host-retracts-rfid-censorship-comments|accessdate=2008-12-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008204311/http://consumerist.com/5045633/mythbusters-host-retracts-rfid-censorship-comments|archive-date=2009-10-08|dead-url=yes|df=}}</ref>
In August 2008, it was reported by ''The Consumerist'' that Discovery Channel had preempted an episode of ''[[MythBusters]]'' examining [[RFID]] security in regard to its implementation in [[credit cards]] before its original broadcast because the episode would upset credit card companies, who are major advertisers on Discovery Channel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mythbusters Gagged: Credit Card Companies Kill Episode Exposing RFID Security Flaws|url=http://consumerist.com/5043831/mythbusters-gagged-credit-card-companies-kill-episode-exposing-rfid-security-flaws|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008204341/http://consumerist.com/5043831/mythbusters-gagged-credit-card-companies-kill-episode-exposing-rfid-security-flaws|archive-date=October 8, 2009|access-date=December 12, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was later determined that the decision not to investigate the issue was made by [[Beyond Productions]], the ''MythBusters'' production company, and was not made by Discovery Channel or their advertising department.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mythbusters Host Retracts RFID Censorship Comments|url=http://consumerist.com/5045633/mythbusters-host-retracts-rfid-censorship-comments|access-date=December 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008204311/http://consumerist.com/5045633/mythbusters-host-retracts-rfid-censorship-comments|archive-date=October 8, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===''Enigmatic Malaysia''===
===''Enigmatic Malaysia''===
{{Main|2009 Pendet controversy}}
{{Main|2009 Pendet controversy}}
An ad promoting ''Enigmatic Malaysia'', a special series on the network meant to highlight the cultural heritages of [[Malaysia]], mistakenly featured [[Bali]]nese [[Pendet|Pendet dancers]]. This prompted outrage from Balinese dancers, who posted messages demanding that Malaysia apologize over the misinformation, which then sparked a series of street protests.<ref>{{cite web|title=Protests over presence of Pendet dance in Malaysia’s tourism ad continue|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/23/protests-over-presence-pendet-dance-malaysia%E2%80%99s-tourism-ad-continue.html?page=2|date=2009-09-03|accessdate=2009-09-03|author=Niken Prathivi and Irawaty Wardany|work=Jakarta Post|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829133013/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/23/protests-over-presence-pendet-dance-malaysia%E2%80%99s-tourism-ad-continue.html?page=2|archivedate=2009-08-29|df=}}</ref> Further demands were made from the local governments, cultural historians and the tourism ministry in [[Indonesia]] for Malaysia to clarify the situation.<ref>{{cite web|author=I Wayan Juniartha|title=Pendet, the dance that rocks the cradle|work=Jakarta Post|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/28/pendet-dance-rocks-cradle.html|date=2009-08-28|accessdate=2009-09-03}}</ref> The Malaysian government reportedly offered an apology, which was rejected by the Indonesian tourism minister, since the apology was given informally by phone, the Indonesian tourism minister demanded a written apology to make it more accountable.<ref>{{cite web |date=2009-08-27 |title=Indonesian Minister Rejects Malaysian Pendet Apology |author=Dessy Sagita |work=The Jakarta Globe |accessdate=2009-09-03 |url=http://thejakartaglobe.com/national/indonesian-minister-rejects-malaysian-pendet-apology/326562 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831160121/http://thejakartaglobe.com/national/indonesian-minister-rejects-malaysian-pendet-apology/326562 |archivedate=2009-08-31 |df= }}</ref>
An ad promoting ''Enigmatic Malaysia'', a special series on the network meant to highlight the cultural heritages of [[Malaysia]], mistakenly featured [[Bali]]nese [[Pendet|Pendet dancers]]. This prompted outrage from Balinese dancers, who posted messages demanding that Malaysia apologize over the misinformation, which then sparked a series of street protests.<ref>{{cite web|title=Protests over presence of Pendet dance in Malaysia's tourism ad continue|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/23/protests-over-presence-pendet-dance-malaysia%E2%80%99s-tourism-ad-continue.html?page=2|date=September 3, 2009|access-date=September 3, 2009|author1=Niken Prathivi|author2=Irawaty Wardany|work=Jakarta Post|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829133013/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/23/protests-over-presence-pendet-dance-malaysia%E2%80%99s-tourism-ad-continue.html?page=2|archive-date=August 29, 2009}}</ref> Further demands were made from the local governments, cultural historians and the tourism ministry in [[Indonesia]] for Malaysia to clarify the situation.<ref>{{cite web|author=I Wayan Juniartha|title=Pendet, the dance that rocks the cradle|work=Jakarta Post|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/28/pendet-dance-rocks-cradle.html|date=August 28, 2009|access-date=September 3, 2009|archive-date=September 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914052422/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/28/pendet-dance-rocks-cradle.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Malaysian government reportedly offered an apology, which was rejected by the Indonesian tourism minister, since the apology was given informally by phone, the Indonesian tourism minister demanded a written apology to make it more accountable.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 27, 2009 |title=Indonesian Minister Rejects Malaysian Pendet Apology |author=Dessy Sagita |work=The Jakarta Globe |url-status=dead |access-date=September 3, 2009 |url=http://thejakartaglobe.com/national/indonesian-minister-rejects-malaysian-pendet-apology/326562 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831160121/http://thejakartaglobe.com/national/indonesian-minister-rejects-malaysian-pendet-apology/326562 |archive-date=August 31, 2009}}</ref>

===Shark Week===
{{Main|Shark Week#Criticism}}
[[Shark Week]], Discovery's annual shark-themed programming block, has been criticized for sensationalism and the promotion of [[junk science]].<ref>{{cite web|title=When Wildlife Documentaries Jump the Shark|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/08/30/344562317/when-wildlife-documentaries-jump-the-shark|publisher=[[NPR]]|date=August 30, 2014|access-date=March 11, 2018|archive-date=March 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312205037/https://www.npr.org/2014/08/30/344562317/when-wildlife-documentaries-jump-the-shark|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Grant|first1=Bob|title=Shark Week Veers Into Fiction . . . Again|url=http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/40760/title/-Shark-Week--Veers-Into-Fiction-------Again/|website=The-Scientist.com|access-date=July 6, 2015|archive-date=July 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707205834/http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/40760/title/-Shark-Week--Veers-Into-Fiction-------Again/|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Romanian RCS&RDS===
===Romanian RCS&RDS===
In November 2012, the Romanian [[RCS&RDS]], the largest company of its kind on the internal market, interrupted its carriage of Discovery Communications channels, including Discovery Channel. The CEO of Discovery Communications Mark Hollinger sent an open letter in his attempt to counteract the action of RCS&RDS, attracting the attention to the negation of the alleged right of the viewer to choose the viewed channels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://economie.hotnews.ro/stiri-media_publicitate-13718443-scrisoare-deschisa-din-partea-ceo-discovery-networks-catre-telespectatorii-romani-suntem-indignati-ceea-intampla-motiv-pentru-care-demarat-discutiile-autoritatile-din-romania-uniunea-europeana.htm|title=Scrisoare deschisa din partea CEO Discovery Networks catre telespectatorii afectati de decizia RCS&RDS: Suntem indignati de ceea ce se intampla, am demarat discutiile cu autoritatile din Romania si cu Uniunea Europeana|publisher=}}</ref> In turn, RCS&RDS issued a press statement accusing of hypocrisy Hollinger's discourse attentive at the needs of viewers and attracted attention to the fact that, during negotiations, the main preoccupations of the Discovery representatives was maintaining as high as possible tariffs and monetary gains”.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rcs-rds.ro/comunicat?id=271|title=Reactie RCS & RDS la scrisoarea deschisa adresata presei de catre Mark Hollinger, presedinte Discovery Networks Bucuresti, 3 decembrie 2012|publisher=}}</ref>
In November 2012, the Romanian [[RCS&RDS]], the largest company of its kind on the internal market, interrupted its carriage of Discovery Communications channels, including Discovery Channel. The CEO of Discovery Communications Mark Hollinger sent an open letter in his attempt to counteract the action of RCS&RDS, attracting the attention to the negation of the alleged right of the viewer to choose the viewed channels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://economie.hotnews.ro/stiri-media_publicitate-13718443-scrisoare-deschisa-din-partea-ceo-discovery-networks-catre-telespectatorii-romani-suntem-indignati-ceea-intampla-motiv-pentru-care-demarat-discutiile-autoritatile-din-romania-uniunea-europeana.htm|title=Scrisoare deschisa din partea CEO Discovery Networks catre telespectatorii afectati de decizia RCS&RDS: Suntem indignati de ceea ce se intampla, am demarat discutiile cu autoritatile din Romania si cu Uniunea Europeana|access-date=February 22, 2013|archive-date=December 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203021032/http://economie.hotnews.ro/stiri-media_publicitate-13718443-scrisoare-deschisa-din-partea-ceo-discovery-networks-catre-telespectatorii-romani-suntem-indignati-ceea-intampla-motiv-pentru-care-demarat-discutiile-autoritatile-din-romania-uniunea-europeana.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In turn, RCS&RDS issued a press statement accusing of hypocrisy Hollinger's discourse attentive at the needs of viewers and attracted attention to the fact that, during negotiations, the main preoccupations of the Discovery representatives was maintaining as high as possible tariffs and monetary gains".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rcs-rds.ro/comunicat?id=271|title=Reactie RCS & RDS la scrisoarea deschisa adresata presei de catre Mark Hollinger, presedinte Discovery Networks Bucuresti|date=December 3, 2012|access-date=February 22, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304224854/http://www.rcs-rds.ro/comunicat?id=271|url-status=live}}</ref>


After 4 years of absence, on 30 December 2016, the Discovery Channel and its sister channel The Learning Channel returned to the RCS&RDS CATV, IPTV and DTH networks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rcs-rds.ro/comunicat?id=578|title=RCS & RDS introduce canale noi in grila de televiziune Digi TV: Discovery Channel, TLC, E! Entertainment HD, HBO2 HD si Cinemax 2|publisher=}}</ref>
After four years of absence, on December 30, 2016, the Discovery Channel and its sister channel TLC returned to the RCS&RDS CATV, IPTV and DTH networks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rcs-rds.ro/comunicat?id=578|title=RCS & RDS introduce canale noi in grila de televiziune Digi TV: Discovery Channel, TLC, E! Entertainment HD, HBO2 HD si Cinemax 2|access-date=January 18, 2017|archive-date=January 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104043320/http://www.rcs-rds.ro/comunicat?id=578|url-status=live}}</ref>


===''Eaten Alive''===
===''Eaten Alive''===
''[[Eaten Alive (TV special)|Eaten Alive]]'' was a television program in which wildlife filmmaker Paul Rosolie was purportedly going to be "eaten alive" by an [[anaconda]]. It aired on December 7, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Reality TV's New Extreme: Being 'Eaten Alive' by a Giant Anaconda Snake|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/reality-tvs-extreme-eaten-alive-giant-anaconda-snake/story?id=26727681|accessdate=November 23, 2014|publisher=ABC News|date=November 6, 2014}}</ref> When the special aired, the anaconda attacked Rosolie but did not swallow him, as its title had implied, prompting numerous complaints of a [[bait and switch]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.today.com/popculture/eaten-alive-ending-leaves-viewers-angrier-anaconda-1D80341775|title=Outrage! 'Eaten Alive' ending leaves viewers angrier than the anaconda|last=Hines|first=Ree|publisher=NBC News|date=December 8, 2014|accessdate=December 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>Hibberd, James (December 8, 2014). [http://time.com/3623093/eaten-alive/ Eaten Alive Viewers Outraged Man Wasn’t Actually Eaten Alive]. ''Entertainment Weekly''. Retrieved December 8, 2014.</ref>
''[[Eaten Alive (TV special)|Eaten Alive]]'' was a television program in which wildlife filmmaker Paul Rosolie was purportedly going to be "eaten alive" by an [[anaconda]]. It aired on December 7, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Reality TV's New Extreme: Being 'Eaten Alive' by a Giant Anaconda Snake|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/reality-tvs-extreme-eaten-alive-giant-anaconda-snake/story?id=26727681|access-date=November 23, 2014|work=ABC News|date=November 6, 2014|archive-date=November 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126081658/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/reality-tvs-extreme-eaten-alive-giant-anaconda-snake/story?id=26727681|url-status=live}}</ref> When the special aired, the anaconda attacked Rosolie but did not swallow him, as its title had implied, prompting numerous complaints of a [[bait and switch]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.today.com/popculture/eaten-alive-ending-leaves-viewers-angrier-anaconda-1D80341775|title=Outrage! 'Eaten Alive' ending leaves viewers angrier than the anaconda|last=Hines|first=Ree|work=NBC News|date=December 8, 2014|access-date=December 8, 2014|archive-date=December 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208233429/http://www.today.com/popculture/eaten-alive-ending-leaves-viewers-angrier-anaconda-1D80341775|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Hibberd, James (December 8, 2014). [http://time.com/3623093/eaten-alive/ Eaten Alive Viewers Outraged Man Wasn’t Actually Eaten Alive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208133333/http://time.com/3623093/eaten-alive/ |date=December 8, 2014 }}. ''Entertainment Weekly''. Retrieved December 8, 2014.</ref>


===''Naked and Afraid''===
=== ''World’s Ultimate Frontier'' ===
{{Further|Persecution of Uyghurs in China}}
''[[Naked and Afraid]]'' is an active series that first premiered on June 23, 2013. One man and one woman are thrown alone into the wild with nothing and left to survive. Though the show blurs some of the bodies of the actors, they are fully naked which sparked a controversy and received critical reception. [[Focus on the Family|Focus on the Family's]] PluggedIn gave it a critical review.<ref>{{Cite web| last=Holz |first=Adam| date=July 12, 2013 |url=http://pluggedin.focusonthefamily.com/nudity-39-s-new-normal/| title=Nudity’s New Normal| accessdate=January 19, 2015|publisher=[[Focus on the Family]]}}</ref> [[Parents Television Council]], [[One Million Moms]], and [[American Family Association]] have boycotted the network.<ref>{{Cite web| last=Menzie |first=Nicola | date=July 10, 2013 |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/one-million-moms-slams-discovery-channels-naked-and-afraid-compares-show-to-soft-porn-99696/| title=One Million Moms Slams Discovery Channel's 'Naked and Afraid;' Compares Show to 'Soft Porn'| accessdate=January 19, 2015|publisher=[[Christian Post]]}}</ref>
In February 2024, a group of US congressmen sent a letter to the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery criticizing ''World's Ultimate Frontier'', a joint production between Discovery and Chinese [[state media]] outlet [[China Global Television Network]] (CGTN), for "whitewashing genocide" of the [[Uyghurs]] in [[Xinjiang]]. They called on Discovery to "suspend this partnership with CGTN immediately and to abstain from entering into any similar partnership with any other agent of [[Chinese Communist Party|CCP]] influence."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parete |first=Dalia |date=2024-03-05 |title=New Frontiers in Foreign Propaganda |url=https://chinamediaproject.org/2024/03/05/new-frontiers-in-foreign-propaganda/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=China Media Project |language=en-US |archive-date=March 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306233936/https://chinamediaproject.org/2024/03/05/new-frontiers-in-foreign-propaganda/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''Sons of Guns''===
In 2014 the star of their show ''[[Sons of Guns]]'' was arrested on child molestation charges, prompting its cancellation.<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/27/discovery-channels-sons-guns-star-will-hayden-was-/ "Sons of Guns canceled after Hayden's daughter accuses him of rape"], Jessica Chasmer. Washington Times. August 27, 2014. Retrieved 28 jan 2017</ref>

===''Alaskan Bush People''===
In 2016, stars from the channel's show ''[[Alaskan Bush People]]'' pleaded guilty to fraud.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/12/entertainment/alaskan-bush-people-fraud-plea/ "'Alaskan Bush People' stars plead guilty in fraud case"], Michael Pearson. CNN. January 12, 2016. Retrieved 28 jan 2017</ref>

===''Highway to Sell''===
In 2016 it was disclosed that the garage used in ''Highway to Sell'' was under investigation for fraud.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2016/1/8/police_investigating.html |title=Police investigating Slicks Garage in Palmetto for fraud |first=Summer |last=Smith |work=[[Bay News 9]] |date=January 8, 2016 |access-date=28 January 2017 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20170202061134/http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2016/1/8/police_investigating.html |archive-date=2 February 2017 |publisher=[[Charter Communications]]}}</ref>

===''American Guns''===
In 2016, the star of the show ''[[American Guns]]'' was indicted and arrested for fraud.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2016/02/11/evergreen-man-surrenders-to-face-federal-firearms-tax-fraud-charges/ |title=Evergreen man surrenders to face federal firearms, tax fraud charges |first=Christopher |last=Osher |newspaper=[[Denver Post]] |date=February 11, 2016 |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of documentary channels]]
* [[Discovery Kids]]
* [[Discovery Kids]]
* [[Discovery Times Square Exposition]]
* [[Discovery Times Square Exposition]]
* [[List of documentary channels]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Discovery Channel}}

===Main===
*{{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/19970330143007/http://www.discovery.com/}}
*''[http://store.discovery.com Official Discovery Store]''
*''[https://www.youtube.com/user/discoverynetworks Discovery Channel's Official YouTube]''
*''[http://corporate.discovery.com/ Discovery Communications Inc.]''


== External links ==
===Other===
*{{commons-inline}}
*''[http://www.discoveryeducation.com/ Discovery Education]''
*''[http://www.cosmeo.com/welcome/index.html?CFID=30858960&CFTOKEN=13194918 Cosmeo]'' (Discovery Education's online homework help service)
*''[https://web.archive.org/web/20150402045322/http://japan.discovery.com/index.html Discovery Channel Japan]''
*''[http://www.discovery.de/ Discovery Channel Germany]
*''[http://www.discovery.ro/ Discovery Channel Romania]''
*''[http://www.discoverychannel.co.in/ Discovery Channel India]''
*''[http://www.discovery.ca/ Discovery Channel Canada]''
*''[http://www.discoverychannel.com.tw/ Discovery Channel Taiwan]''
*''[http://www.discoverychannel.ru/ Discovery Channel Russia]
*''[http://www.discoverychannelasia.com/ Discovery Channel Asia]''
*''[http://www.discoverychannelkorea.com Discovery Channel Korea]''
*''[https://web.archive.org/web/20070227160617/http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/otherchannels/discovery.html Discovery Channel at TV Ark]''


{{Discovery Communications}}
{{Warner Bros. Discovery Networks}}{{Warner Bros. Discovery}}
{{Webby Awards|cat=Science|year=1997|type=Nominee}}
{{Webby Awards|cat=Science|year=1997|type=Nominee}}


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[[Category:English-language television stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1985]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1985]]
[[Category:Discovery Networks]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1998]]
[[Category:Spanish-language television networks in the United States]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. Discovery networks]]
[[Category:Peabody Award winners]]
[[Category:Peabody Award winners]]
[[Category:American television networks]]
[[Category:Television networks in the United States]]
[[Category:1985 establishments in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 23:49, 9 November 2024

Discovery Channel
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaNationwide
Headquarters230 Park Avenue South New York City[1]
Programming
Language(s)
  • English
  • Spanish (with SAP)
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 480i letterbox for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerWarner Bros. Discovery
ParentWarner Bros. Discovery Networks
Sister channelsSister channels
History
LaunchedJune 17, 1985; 39 years ago (1985-06-17)[2]
Former namesThe Discovery Channel (1985–1995)
Links
Websitediscovery.com
Availability
Streaming media
Affiliated streaming services
ServicesFuboTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Philo, Hulu + Live TV

Discovery Channel, known as The Discovery Channel from 1985 to 1995, and often referred to as simply Discovery, is an American cable channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav. As of June 2012, Discovery Channel was the third most widely distributed subscription channel in the United States, behind now-sibling channel TBS and The Weather Channel;[3] it is available in 409 million households worldwide, through its U.S. flagship channel and its various owned or licensed television channels internationally.[4]

It initially provided documentary television programming focused primarily on popular science, technology, and history, but by the 2010s had expanded into reality television and pseudo-scientific entertainment.[5][6][7]

As of November 2023, Discovery Channel is available to approximately 71,000,000 pay television households in the United States-down from its peak of 99,000,000 in 2011.[8]

History

John Hendricks founded the channel and its parent company, Cable Educational Network Inc., in 1982.[9] Several investors (including the BBC, Allen & Company, and Venture America) raised $5 million in start-up capital to launch the network.

The Discovery Channel began broadcasting on June 17, 1985. It was initially available to 156,000 households and broadcast for 12 hours each day between 3 p.m. and 3 a.m. About 75 percent of its program content had never been broadcast on U.S. television before.[10] In its early years, the channel's focus centered on educational programming in the form of cultural and wildlife documentaries, and science and historical specials. It also broadcast some Soviet programming during this time, including the news program Vremya.[11] The channel also carried two teletext services over its VBI during this time, Infotext (offering news from the Associated Press, as well as information about agribusiness and agriculture, including commodity prices from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on a 15-minute delay), and Datavizion (offering trivia, strange news stories, games and a satellite TV guide); both services originated from WHA-TV in Madison, Wisconsin, and were run by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.[12][13]

The channel began to shift its focus in the early 2000s to attract a broader audience, by incorporating more reality-based series focusing on automotive, occupations, and speculative investigation series; though the refocused programming strategy proved popular, Discovery Channel's ratings began to decline by the middle of the decade. Some critics[14] said such shows strayed from Discovery's intention of providing more educationally based shows aimed at helping viewers learn about the world around them. In 2005, Discovery changed its programming focus to include more popular science and historical themes.[15] The network's ratings eventually recovered in 2006.[16]

On January 4, 2006, Discovery Communications announced that anchor Ted Koppel, executive producer Tom Bettag, and eight other former staff members from the ABC newsmagazine Nightline were joining Discovery Channel. The network was nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards that year for shows including The Flight that Fought Back (a documentary about the hijacking of United Airlines Flight 93 during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001) and Deadliest Catch (a reality series about a group of seafood fishermen).

In 2007, Discovery Channel's top series included the Emmy Award– and Peabody Award–winning Planet Earth, Dirty Jobs, MythBusters, and Deadliest Catch. Discovery Channel's 2008 lineup included Fight Quest and Smash Lab.[17]

On September 1, 2010, 43-year-old James Jay Lee entered the Discovery Communications headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, armed with a handgun. Lee fired at least one shot and held several employees hostage; he was later shot dead by police.[18][19] Lee had published criticisms of the network at Savetheplanetprotest.com.[19]

In December 2015, Discovery Communications launched its TV Everywhere service, Discovery Go, which features live and video-on-demand content from Discovery Channel and eight of its sister networks.[20]

Programming

Programming on the flagship Discovery Channel in the U.S. is primarily focused on reality television series, such as speculative investigation (with shows such as MythBusters, Unsolved History, and Best Evidence), automobiles, and occupations (such as Dirty Jobs and Deadliest Catch). A popular annual feature on the channel is Shark Week, which airs on Discovery during the summer months.[21]

Discovery has also featured documentaries specifically aimed at families and younger audiences. Other popular programs have included How It's Made, Cash Cab, and Man vs. Wild.

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 the then-seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, whose wins were voided after he was proven to have cheated via doping. After the 2007 victory with the Spaniard Alberto Contador, Discovery Channel discontinued the cycling sponsorship.[22][23]

Store

The Discovery Channel stores first opened in 1995. By 1997, the chain had 17 US and 1 UK stores. At that time, the chain was building a flagship store in Washington, DC, with three levels themed to various environments—sea and underground, land and outer space, aviation and science—to be opened in February 1998, with another flagship store in San Francisco to be opened in November 1998.[24]

On May 17, 2007, Discovery Communications announced it would close its standalone and mall-based stores. Hudson Group will continue to operate the Discovery Channel Airport Stores, and the website remains in operation.[25]

Telescope

Discovery Channel funded the construction of the Lowell Discovery Telescope, in partnership with Lowell Observatory.[26]

Website

Discovery.com is the Discovery Channel's official website, which primarily provides information on the channel's programming and additional content, including articles, tied to those shows.[27][28]

Marketing and branding

The logo of Discovery Channel from 1987 to 1995.

The Discovery Channel's first logo was a television screen picturing a map of the world. For two decades, starting in 1987, the channel's logo incorporated the Discovery wordmark rendered in the Aurora Bold Condensed font with a circular shape in front of it. The circle usually took the form of a rising sun, or an animated version of the Vitruvian Man. Discovery Channel's previous slogans had been "Explore Your World" and "There's No Thrill Like Discovery." Keeping with its changing focus away from strictly educational programming toward reality TV, the slogan was changed in the early 2000s to "Entertain Your Brain".[29]

In 1995, the channel's name was simplified to "Discovery Channel", dropping "The" from its name. A globe became a permanent part of the logo, and an underline was added to the bottom of the logo

On March 31, 2008, Discovery unveiled a new logo, which took effect on-air on April 15, 2008 (coinciding with the fourth season premiere of Deadliest Catch). The new logo was designed by Viewpoint Creative, and integrated Discovery's long-time globe iconography into the "D" lettering of the wordmark, creating a monogram that was usable as a standalone icon. The launch was accompanied by a new advertising campaign, "The World is Just Awesome", which featured scenes of Discovery personalities singing an adapted version of the song "I Love the Mountains". Discovery Channel president John Ford explained that the campaign was intended to "showcase our earned place in the greater pop culture landscape".[30]

In August 2013 (coinciding with Shark Week), the aforementioned monogram became the main on-air logo as part of a new imaging campaign, "Grab Life By the Globe", which was designed to emphasize the channel's current focus on personality-driven programming. The logo was portrayed in promos with visual effects relevant to their respective program.[31]

On April 1, 2019, Discovery unveiled a new logo, maintaining a refreshed version of the previous globe and D monogram. The new branding is accompanied by another new imaging campaign, "The World is Ours", which features scenes of Discovery personalities singing the Blue Swede version of "Hooked on a Feeling". The static version of the globe icon uses a non-standard projection that shows all continents, reflecting Discovery's presence as an international brand.[32]

Discovery en Español

Discovery en Español
CountryUnited States
HeadquartersMiami, Florida, United States
Programming
Language(s)Spanish
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerWarner Bros. Discovery
ParentWarner Bros. Discovery Networks
History
Launched1998; 26 years ago (1998)
Links
Websitediscoveryenespañol.com
Availability
Streaming media
Fubo TVLive Stream

Discovery en Español is an American pay television channel that was launched as the Spanish-language version of the Discovery Channel. It is operated by the Latin American division of Warner Bros. Discovery International in Miami, Florida.

As of February 2015, approximately 6,476,000 American households (5.6% of households with television) receive Discovery en Español.[33]

International

Discovery Channel reaches 431 million homes in 170 countries. Discovery Communications currently 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, Russian, Czech, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Turkish, Greek, Polish, Hungarian, Romanian, Arabic, Slovene, Japanese, Korean and Serbian. In 2011, a separate Tamil-language channel was launched. In Bulgaria, Discovery has, since 2000–2001, displayed Bulgarian subtitles by all cable providers and since 2010 – with Bulgarian dubbing for some shows.

Australia and New Zealand

In Australia, the Discovery Channel is part of a six-channel package (not including timeshifts) on digital subscription television, available on Foxtel, Optus TV and AUSTAR.

In New Zealand, the Australian version of Discovery is broadcast on SKY Network Television.

Canada

The Canadian version of Discovery was established in 1995, and is currently owned by a joint venture between Bell Media (via the subsidiary CTV Specialty Television; ESPN Inc. is a minority partner in this subsidiary due its ties to sports channel TSN) and Discovery Inc.

The channel airs similar programming to its U.S. counterpart, but also airs domestically produced programs to comply with local broadcasting regulations (which, in the past, included the daily science newsmagazine Daily Planet cancelled in 2018). Some of its original series (such as, most prominently, How It's Made) have been picked up in the U.S. by Discovery's sister networks (such as Science Channel), but others have not necessarily aired on Discovery's networks. Since 2018, the channel has increasingly aired blocks of fiction programming with science- or technology-oriented themes.

India

Discovery Channel was launched in 1995 in India broadcasting originally in English and Hindi. In June 2010, a Bengali audio track was added to the channel as well as a Telugu track in October 21 of that same year.[34][35] On August 15, 2011, a separate Tamil-language channel was launched[36] with an estimate audience of 10 million households.[37][38] Discovery recently launched Discovery Plus, a new streaming service for India priced at ₹300 per year, offering content in eight languages—English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali and Marathi.[39]

Europe

In the United Kingdom, Discovery Channel UK airs some common programs as the U.S. version, including MythBusters, American Chopper, How It's Made and Deadliest Catch. The channel is carried as a basic subscription channel on the SKYdigital satellite service and digital cable provider Virgin Media. Discovery UK also operates Discovery HD, Discovery Knowledge, Discovery Turbo, Discovery Science, Animal Planet, DMAX, Discovery Real Time, Discovery Home & Health, Discovery Travel & Leisure and Discovery Shed. Many of these channels also have timeshifted versions. In the Republic of Ireland, the UK version of Discovery Channel is available on most cable providers in that country, but with local advertisements.

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Discovery Channel is part of the Premiere digital network and supplies specific programs to other networks like ZDF and kabel eins. Discovery Communications is also owner of the documentary-channel XXP. The channel was bought in the spring of 2006 from its former shareholders Spiegel TV and "dctp". All programs are dubbed into German. The channel is now known as "DMAX", presumably to associate the channel with Discovery.

In the Netherlands, the Discovery Channel is included on most cable, IPTV and DVB-T providers. Nearly 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. Some programs and most promotions and program announcements have a Dutch voice-over. In Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, a Flemish Discovery Channel launched (previously the Dutch version was available for IPTV, DVB-C and DVB-S) on cable (and digital) television on October 1, 2009.

In Italy, the Discovery Channel (and HD) is distributed via satellite by Sky Italia as part of the documentary pack. In addition, Italy has four Discovery-branded channels: Discovery Science, Discovery Real Time, Discovery Animal Planet and Discovery Travel and Living.

In Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia and Slovenia, Discovery Channel is carried by most cable television and IPTV providers with all the content subtitled in the respective languages. Additionally, it is also available on digital satellite platforms in Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia (sometimes requiring an additional fee). In Poland, nc+ broadcasts the programs dubbed in Polish and in original English. A few other channels from Discovery are also in offer, like Discovery Historia, launched in cooperation with Polish broadcaster TVN, which later ended.

In Spain, the channel shares a schedule and programs with Portugal and is available on most satellite and cable platforms, making it possible to broadcast both in Spanish and Portuguese. In Spain, all programs are dubbed; whereas in Portugal, most of them are subtitled. In addition, Portugal has three Discovery-branded channels: Discovery Turbo (focusing on motorsports), Discovery Science (focusing on science and technology) and Discovery Civilization (focusing on historical events). These channels follow the same model as the original Discovery Channel, except for the absence of advertising. Spanish advertisements are broadcast on the Portuguese feed, non-subtitled or dubbed.

Southeast Asia

In South East Asia, Discovery Channel is available on digital subscription television. Discovery Channel Asia still shows crime programs (such as Most Evil and The FBI Files). Many programs feature development and society in Asian countries, especially in India and China. Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore have other channels branched from the main Discovery Channel, including Discovery Turbo, Discovery Science, Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Travel & Living.

The Philippines has its own semifeed derived from the Southeast Asian channel, in which offers regional variations with local advertisements during the commercial breaks.

South Africa

In South Africa, Discovery Channel shares a schedule and programming with all of Africa, the Middle East and Turkey. Discovery Channel and sibling channels Discovery World, TLC,[40] Investigation Discovery and Animal Planet are available on the DStv/Multichoice platform.

Controversies

RFID

In August 2008, it was reported by The Consumerist that Discovery Channel had preempted an episode of MythBusters examining RFID security in regard to its implementation in credit cards before its original broadcast because the episode would upset credit card companies, who are major advertisers on Discovery Channel.[41] It was later determined that the decision not to investigate the issue was made by Beyond Productions, the MythBusters production company, and was not made by Discovery Channel or their advertising department.[42]

Enigmatic Malaysia

An ad promoting Enigmatic Malaysia, a special series on the network meant to highlight the cultural heritages of Malaysia, mistakenly featured Balinese Pendet dancers. This prompted outrage from Balinese dancers, who posted messages demanding that Malaysia apologize over the misinformation, which then sparked a series of street protests.[43] Further demands were made from the local governments, cultural historians and the tourism ministry in Indonesia for Malaysia to clarify the situation.[44] The Malaysian government reportedly offered an apology, which was rejected by the Indonesian tourism minister, since the apology was given informally by phone, the Indonesian tourism minister demanded a written apology to make it more accountable.[45]

Shark Week

Shark Week, Discovery's annual shark-themed programming block, has been criticized for sensationalism and the promotion of junk science.[46][47]

Romanian RCS&RDS

In November 2012, the Romanian RCS&RDS, the largest company of its kind on the internal market, interrupted its carriage of Discovery Communications channels, including Discovery Channel. The CEO of Discovery Communications Mark Hollinger sent an open letter in his attempt to counteract the action of RCS&RDS, attracting the attention to the negation of the alleged right of the viewer to choose the viewed channels.[48] In turn, RCS&RDS issued a press statement accusing of hypocrisy Hollinger's discourse attentive at the needs of viewers and attracted attention to the fact that, during negotiations, the main preoccupations of the Discovery representatives was maintaining as high as possible tariffs and monetary gains".[49]

After four years of absence, on December 30, 2016, the Discovery Channel and its sister channel TLC returned to the RCS&RDS CATV, IPTV and DTH networks.[50]

Eaten Alive

Eaten Alive was a television program in which wildlife filmmaker Paul Rosolie was purportedly going to be "eaten alive" by an anaconda. It aired on December 7, 2014.[51] When the special aired, the anaconda attacked Rosolie but did not swallow him, as its title had implied, prompting numerous complaints of a bait and switch.[52][53]

World’s Ultimate Frontier

In February 2024, a group of US congressmen sent a letter to the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery criticizing World's Ultimate Frontier, a joint production between Discovery and Chinese state media outlet China Global Television Network (CGTN), for "whitewashing genocide" of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang. They called on Discovery to "suspend this partnership with CGTN immediately and to abstain from entering into any similar partnership with any other agent of CCP influence."[54]

See also

References

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  2. ^ "The 59th Academy Awards (1987) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  3. ^ Seidman, Robert (August 23, 2013). "List of How Many Homes Each Cable Networks Is In – Cable Network Coverage Estimates As Of August 2013". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
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  6. ^ Kirk, Chris (August 6, 2013). "Wil Wheaton Says Discovery Channel Has 'Betrayed Its Audience'". Slate. Archived from the original on April 17, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
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