Discovery Channel (Canada)
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| Discovery Channel | |
|---|---|
| Image:Discovery Channel.gif | |
| Launched | January 1, 1995 |
| Owned by | CTV Speciality Television Inc. (80% and managing partner) Discovery Communications (20%) |
| Country | Image:Flag of Canada.svg Canada |
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Image:Flag of Ontario.svg Scarborough, Ontario |
| Sister channel(s) | Animal Planet, Discovery Civilization, Discovery HD |
| 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.
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
- Against All Odds
- Acorn the Nature Nut
- Aerospace
- Beastly Countdown
- Beyond Invention
- Birth Of A Sports Car
- Blueprint for Disaster
- Break it Down
- Building the Biggest
- Building the Ultimate (UK: Five coproduction)
- Canadian Geographic Presents
- Canada's Worst Driver
- Canada's Worst Handyman
- Connections
- Creepy Canada
- Daily Planet (formerly @discovery.ca)
- Doctor*ology`
- Eco-Challenge
- Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science
- Flightpath
- Frontiers of Construction
- Forensic Factor
- Great Canadian Parks
- Guinea Pig
- How Do They Do It? (UK Wag TV coproduction)
- How It's Made
- I Shouldn't Be Alive
- Insectia
- Mayday
- Mega Builders
- Mean Machines (UK IWC Media coproduction)
- Nature of the Beast
- On the Run
- Patent Bending
- Risk Takers
- Rocket Science
- Science To Go
- Star Racer
- Superships
- The Exodus Decoded
- The Sex Files
- The World's Strangest UFO Stories
- Ultimate Cars (UK IWC Media coproduction)
- Ultimate
- White Hot Winter
- What's That About?
- You Asked For It
[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
Discovery HD is a high definition channel associated with Discovery Channel. It features the best in science and technology, nature and adventure programming all in true HD. It is 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 2002. On December 16, 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 then was used for Discovery Channel HD, the two are considered separate channels.
[edit] See also
- Discovery Channel (US)
- HD Theater (US)
[edit] External links
- Official Discovery Channel website
- Official Discovery HD website
- Discovery Channel on the CTV Broadband Network
- Discovery Channel Media Site
- Discovery HD Media Site
- CRTC approval of CTV-NetStar acquisition
- Exploration Production Inc. Official Site
