Discovery Channel (Canada)

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Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel logo
Launched January 1, 1995
Owned by CTV Speciality Television Inc. (80% and managing partner)
Discovery Communications (20%)
Country Canada
Broadcast area National
Headquarters Scarborough, Ontario
Sister channel(s) Discovery HD, Animal Planet, Discovery Civilization Channel
Website discoverychannel.ca
Availability
Satellite
Bell ExpressVu Channel 520
Star Choice Channel 505
Cable
Available on most Canadian cable systems Check local listings, channels may vary

Discovery Channel is a Canadian English language cable television specialty channel devoted to nature, adventure, science and technology programming. Discovery Channel is currently owned by CTV Speciality Television Inc. (CTVglobemedia 80%/ESPN 20%) and Discovery Communications (20%).

Contents

[edit] History

Licensed in 1994, Discovery Channel began broadcasting on January 1, 1995 under the ownership of NetStar Communications Inc. On March 24, 2000, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved CTV Inc. to acquire an 80% voting interest in NetStar Communications Inc. (the remaining 20% owned by ESPN Inc.). CTV, thus renamed the company CTV Speciality Television Inc.

[edit] Programming

Although much of Discovery's programming is shared with its American counterpart, the Canadian channel has separate ownership and produces much of its own programming as well. Most notably, the channel produces a daily science news program, Daily Planet, which is the first program of its kind anywhere in the world.[citation needed] Some of the imported US Discovery Channel programs are presented differently than in the US, with different airdates for shows such as The Deadliest Catch (Canadian airdates for season 4 episodes are approximately one month after their US debut), and Dirty Jobs (Discovery Channel Canada broadcasts are edited to remove appeals for submissions).

Despite the inclusion of US programming, the Canadian programming lineup looks more like the American version of The Science Channel than the United States Discovery Channel. In fact, some shows from The Science Channel, such as How It's Made, Building the Ultimate, and Ultimate Cars, were produced by Discovery Channel Canada.

Unlike the US channels, Canadian Discovery Channel does not rate its shows, except for The Sex Files and Forensic Factor, which were rated '18+'.

[edit] Discovery Channel programming blocks

  • Disaster Detectives - about disasters, and as of 2006, supernatural encounters
  • Discovery Sunday Showcase - an 8-11 p.m. Sunday block that usually features a 2 to 3 hour programmes, usually followed by a theme week. In 2006, it was renamed to Discovery Presents.
  • Monster Monday - former Monday block about monstrous projects, including Monster Garage, Monster House, and Frontiers of Construction.
  • Supercharged Saturday - 'explosive' programming that airs on Saturday night.
  • Ultimate - shows that deal with engineering projects, or showcasing machinery.
  • Wild Discovery - shows about wildlife, or animals in general.
  • World's Greatest Mysteries - shows about mysteries, ancient civilizations.

[edit] List of Canadian-made Discovery Channel programmes

[edit] Production studios

Exploration Production Inc., a producer and distributor of factual content, primarily in the form of episodic series and science magazines for television, was opened in 1993. NetStar Communications Inc. owned the company under Discovery Channel Canada, and it was acquired by CTV during the CTV-NetStar acquisition. EPI has produced many shows found in Discovery Channel and other affiliated Canadian channels.

[edit] Discovery HD

Further information: Discovery HD (Canada)

Discovery HD is a high definition channel associated with Discovery Channel. It features science, technology, nature, and adventure programming. It iwas Canada's first 24-hour all-HD network, featuring a mix of Discovery Channel favourites and original HD programming. Well known Discovery favourites including American Chopper, Forensic Factor and Monster Garage are mixed in with such programs as Ultimate HD and An Inside Look.

Discovery HD, originally known in regulatory documents as "Discovery HD Theatre", replaced Discovery Channel HD, which was a simulcast of Discovery Channel that was launched in 2003. On December 19, 2005, Discovery HD was launched with a separate, independent schedule under a new licence from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Since Discovery HD uses a different licence than was used for Discovery Channel HD, the two are considered separate channels, although Discovery Channel Canada regularly promotes its HD cousin.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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