Discovery Channel (Canada)

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Discovery Channel
Type Cable television specialty channel
Country Flag of Canada Canada
Availability National
Owner CTV Speciality Television Inc. (80% and managing partner)
Discovery Communications (20%)
Launch date January 1, 1995
Website www.discoverychannel.ca

Discovery Channel is a Canadian cable television specialty channel devoted to science and nature programming.

Licensed in 1994, it began broadcasting on January 1, 1995. It had been owned by NetStar Communications Inc. On March 24, 2000, the CRTC approved CTV Inc. to acquire an 80% voting interest in NetStar Communications Inc. (the remaining 20% owned by ESPN Inc.). Currently, it is jointly owned by Discovery Communications (20%), owner of the Discovery Channel brand, and CTV Specialty Television Inc. (80%), itself a partnership of CTVglobemedia (80%) and ESPN (20%).

Although much of its programming is shared with its American counterpart, the Canadian channel has separate ownership and produces some 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 US Discovery Channel. In fact, some shows from TSC, such as How It's Made, Building the Ultimate, and Ultimate Cars, were produced by Canadians.

Being part of CTV, some series that have been premiered on other non-Discovery channels have been shown, including BattleBots and Amazing Race.

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

Several noted Canadian journalists, including Valerie Pringle, have produced and hosted programming for the network.

Contents

[edit] Discovery Channel programming blocks

  • Disaster Detectives - about disasters, and as of 2006, supernatural encounters
  • Discovery Sunday Showcase - An 8-11pm 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 monsterous 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 mystries, 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

Discovery HD, previously known as Discovery HD Theatre Canada, is a high definition channel associated with Discovery Channel Canada. It features the best in science and technology, nature and adventure programming all in true HD. It has a separate schedule from Discovery Channel proper and is no longer a pure simulcast.

Discovery HD 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.

[edit] Affiliated channels

Unlike US counterpart, Canadian Discovery channels are licensed to different owners.

[edit] CTVglobemedia channels

[edit] Alliance Atlantis channels

[edit] Corus Entertainment channels

[edit] Directly marketed channels

[edit] External links