Discovery Channel is a cable and satellite TV channel distributed by Discovery Communications that provides non-fiction variety programming focused primarily on the themes of popular science, history, and knowledge about the world. It was formerly better-known for its nature and animal programming but has changed its focus and diversified in more recent years as the number of channels in its portfolio has grown. Whereas previously the channel was known exclusively for its science documentaries, it now includes a mix of documentaries and reality shows. Discovery Channel is the most widely distributed cable network in the United States,[1] reaching more than 92 million households, part of its global audience of 431 million homes in 170 countries and territories[2]. Versions of the channel are seen in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, India and other countries[3]. Discovery Channel was launched in 1985 as the flagship channel of Discovery Communications, which today offers 29 network brands in 33 languages. Popular programming on the channel today includes Shark Week, an annual week of programming dedicated to facts about sharks; Deadliest Catch, about fishing for crab in the Bering Sea; popular science show MythBusters; Dirty Jobs about difficult jobs; and FutureWeapons, about the weapon technology of the future. The Discovery Channel also is the branding retail stores in malls and other locations across America, and also an online store. Educational gifts are its specialty. The Discovery Channel sponsors a professional bicycling team that includes seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. Contents [hide] * 1 United States o 1.1 Discovery Channel (Television) o 1.2 Discovery Channel Radio * 2 Around the world * 3 Marketing and branding * 4 Taglines * 5 See also * 6 References * 7 External links [edit] United States [edit] Discovery Channel (Television) The Discovery Channel's ratings improved in 2006[4] after a drop widely attributed to an over-reliance on a few hit series such as Monster Garage and American Chopper. Some critics said such series strayed from Discovery's mold of helping viewers learn about the world around them. Beginning in 2005, Discovery revamped its lineup to focus more closely on its traditional themes of popular science, history, and geography[5]. The network garnered a total of seven primetime Emmy award nominations in 2006 for shows including The Flight that Fought Back (about United Airlines Flight 93) and Deadliest Catch. On January 4, 2006, Discovery Communications announced that Ted Koppel, longtime Executive Producer Tom Bettag, and eight former Nightline staff members were joining the Discovery Channel. [edit] Discovery Channel Radio The Discovery Channel Radio logo The Discovery Channel Radio logo Discovery Channel Radio was a channel on the major United States satellite radio service, Sirius Satellite Radio. Discovery was previously on XM Satellite Radio but was dropped in early September 2005. The programming consisted of audio versions of popular programs from its multitude of TV channels. Sirius Radio has recently (February 21 2007) dropped Discovery Radio from its line up. [edit] Around the world The Discovery Channel reaches 431 million homes in 170 countries. In a number of countries, Discovery's channels are available on digital satellite platforms with multiple language soundtracks or subtitles (including Spanish, German, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Danish, Greek, Polish, Hungarian, Romanian,Arabic and Hindi). In Bulgaria, Discovery has since 2001–2002 been displayed with Bulgarian subtitles by all cable providers. Discovery Channel (Canada) has an ownership structure different from Discovery Channel. Canadian viewers receive almost identical English-language programming to the channel that American viewers watch, but with some added Canadian content to suit the audience. Most notably, the Canadian channel carries the daily science news show Daily Planet, originally @discovery.ca, the first of its kind. Occasionally, several segments on similar topics are taken from various episodes and put together into one-hour specials that are broadcast on the original Discovery Channel. In the United Kingdom, Discovery Channel UK has some programmes in common with the US version, including Mythbusters, American Chopper, How It's Made and Deadliest Catch. In Germany, Discovery Channel is part of the PREMIERE-digital-network and supplies specific programmes to other networks like ZDF and Kabel-1. Discovery Communications is also owner of the documentary-channel XXP. The channel was bought in spring 2006 from its former shareholders Spiegel TV and "dctp". All programmes are dubbed into German. The channel will from September be known as "DMAX", presumably to associate the channel with Discovery. In Australia, Discovery is part of a 6 channel bouquet (not including timeshifts) on digital subscription TV, available on Foxtel, Optus TV and Austar. See Discovery Channel Australia. In the Middle East, North Africa, and the Levant territories broadcasting via satellite, exclusively from the Showtime Arabia pay-TV network. However, from January the 1st 2007 Discovery is exclusively broadcasted by Orbit network for this region. In the Netherlands, The Discovery Channel is included in most cable subscriptions. All of the programmes are broadcast in their original language, but they are subtitled in Dutch as is the policy of all Dutch television stations. In New Zealand, the Australian version of Discovery is broadcast on SKY Network Television. Discovery Channel's The Flight that Fought Back, a docudrama of the United Airlines Flight 93 hijacking Discovery Channel's The Flight that Fought Back, a docudrama of the United Airlines Flight 93 hijacking [edit] Marketing and branding Discovery Channel logo used from 1985 to 1995. Discovery Channel logo used from 1985 to 1995. Shortly before the 2004 Tour de France, the Discovery Channel company announced it would become the primary sponsor of the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team starting in 2005, featuring seven-time champion Lance Armstrong. They are also funding the construction of the Discovery Channel Telescope, in partnership with Lowell Observatory. [edit] Taglines Discovery Channel's previous taglines had been "Explore Your World" and "There's no thrill like discovery." However in view of its changing focus towards more reality-based programming and away from strictly educational programming, the slogan was changed to "Entertain Your Brain". The new tagline for the revamped Discovery Channel is "Let's All Discover...", with a continuing phrase or sentence that relates to a show. The previously-used tagline, "Explore Your World", went on to become a pop culture phenomenon, and had been synonymous with the channel for many years. [edit] See also * Discovery HD Theater * List of Discovery Channel programs - list of television programs formerly or currently broadcast by Discovery Channel. * Discovery Channel Canada - a Canadian cable television service devoted to science and nature programming. * Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team - a US-based professional road bicycle racing team. It is the continuation of the 2004 US Postal Service Pro Cycling Team. * List of DirecTV channels * List of Dish Network channels * List of Documentary channels [edit] References 1. ^ http://www.ncta.com/ContentView.aspx?contentId=74 2. ^ http://corporate.discovery.com/brands/discoverychannel.html 3. ^ http://corporate.discovery.com/news/press/06q1/011806.html 4. ^ http://corporate.discovery.com/news/press/06q2/083006.html 5. ^ http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6361880.html