Discovery Channel | |
---|---|
Launched | January 1, 1995 | ; 21 years ago
Owned by |
Bell Media CTV Specialty Television (80% and managing partner) Discovery Communications (20%) |
Picture format |
1080i (HDTV) 480i (SDTV) |
Slogan | Grab Life by the Globe |
Country | Canada |
Language | English |
Broadcast area | Nationwide |
Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Sister channel(s) |
Animal Planet Discovery Science Discovery Velocity Investigation Discovery |
Website | Discovery Channel Canada |
Availability
|
|
Satellite | |
Bell TV | Channel 520 (SD) Channel 1602 (HD) |
Shaw Direct | Channel 505 (SD) Channels 93 and 593 (HD) |
Cable | |
Available on most Canadian cable systems | Consult your local cable provider for channel availability |
IPTV | |
Bell Aliant | Channel 286 (SD) Channel 430 (HD) |
Bell Fibe TV | Channel 520 (SD) Channel 1520 (HD) |
MTS | Channel 104 (SD) Channel 1104 (HD) |
Optik TV | Channel 9701 (SD) Channel 701 (HD) |
SaskTel | Channel 51 (SD) Channel 351 (HD) |
VMedia | Channel 42 (HD) |
Zazeen | 89-91 (HD) |
Discovery Channel (better known simply as Discovery) is a Canadian English language Category A cable and satellite specialty channel that is owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc. (a joint venture between Bell Media (80%) and ESPN Inc. (20%), which owns 80% majority of the channel) and Discovery Communications (which owns the remaining 20%). The channel is devoted to nature, adventure, science and technology programming.
Licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 1994, Discovery Channel launched on January 1, 1995 under the ownership of NetStar Communications Inc. On March 24, 2000, the CRTC approved a proposal by CTV Inc. to acquire an 80% voting interest in NetStar Communications Inc. (the remaining 20% owned by ESPN Inc.). CTV renamed the company CTV Speciality Television Inc.
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. Some of the imported programs from the flagship Discovery Channel are presented differently than in the United States, with different air dates for shows such as The Deadliest Catch (Canadian air dates for episodes during the fourth season aired approximately one month after their U.S. debut), and Dirty Jobs (Discovery Channel Canada broadcasts are edited to remove appeals for submissions). Discovery Channel Canada also produces its own version of the Cash Cab game show, in lieu of broadcasting the American version (although the host of the Canadian version has on one occasion hosted the U.S. program as well).