Discovery Channel (Canadian TV channel)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Jacob Poon (talk | contribs) at 00:24, 11 February 2006 (→‎Discovery programming blocks). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

File:Discovery Channel.jpg

Discovery Channel Canada is a Canadian cable specialty television channel devoted to science and nature programming, started broadcast in 1995-1-1. It had been owned by NetStar Communications Inc. In 2000-3-4, CRTC approved CTV Inc. to acquire an 80% voting interest in NetStar Communications Inc., which also owned 100% The Sports Network (TSN) and le Réseau des Sports (RDS), 80% of The Discovery Channel, and a non-controlling interest of 24.95% in Viewers Choice Canada Inc. Currently, it is jointly owned by Discovery Communications (20%), owner of the American Discovery Channel, and CTV Specialty Television (80%), itself a partnership of Bell Globemedia (67%) and ESPN (33%).

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, Ultimate Cars, were produced by Canadians.

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

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

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

This partnership also operates Animal Planet Canada and Discovery Civilization Channel Canada, CTV Travel (which is a rebranded The Travel Channel) digital specialty channel, and recently announced an application for Discovery HD Theatre, the Canadian equivalent of Discovery HD Theater. Discovery Communications is also a partner in Canadian versions of Discovery Health Channel (with Alliance Atlantis) and Discovery Kids Channel (with Corus Entertainment), and directly supplies TLC and The Military Channel to the Canadian market.

Discovery Channel programming blocks

  • Disaster Detectives - about disasters, and as of 2006, supernatural encounters
  • Monster Monday - Former Monday block about monsterous projects, including Monster Garage, Monster House, Frontiers of Construction
  • Sunday Showcase - An 8-11pm Sunday block that usually features a 2 to 3 hour programmes, usually followed by a theme week.
  • Supercharged Saturday - 'Explosive' programming that airs on Saturday.
  • Ultimate - shows that deal with engineering projects.
  • Wild Discovery - shows about wild life, or animals in general.
  • World's Greatest Mysteries - shows about mystries, ancient civilizations.

List of Canadian-made Discovery Channel programmes

External link

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Discovery_Channel_(Canadian_TV_channel)&oldid=39145567"