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%).
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.
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+'.
- 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 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 mysetries, ancient civilizations.
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.
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.
Unlike US counterpart, Canadian Discovery channels are licensed to different owners.
These channels are fed directly by Discovery Communications, and are identical to the versions available through American cable and satellite providers.
