Discovery Channel UK
Encyclopedia
Discovery Channel operated by Discovery Networks Western Europe
produces an English speaking channel which targets the United Kingdom
and Ireland
. The channel's programming is based on programming produced by Discovery Networks Europe, Discovery Channel Canada
and Discovery Channel
from the US.
It first became available in the UK on April 1, 1989 when Discovery Channel Europe launched. It was the first extension of the Discovery Channel outside the United States.
Prior to 1993, UK viewers could receive the channel from Intelsat
satellites at 27.5° West. In July 1993, the Discovery Channel launched on the Astra 1C
analogue satellite on the popular 19.2° East position where it used to broadcast only in the evening, starting at 4pm. On Astra, the daytime space was filled by CMT Europe
until 1994, when TLC
(later on Discovery Home & Leisure
) moved there. Eventually, Discovery Home & Leisure would broadcast from the morning to 4pm when Discovery Channel took over and would broadcast for ten hours until 2am.
With the launch of Sky in October 1998, Discovery Channel moved its start time to 8am, broadcasting for 18 hours per day. The time-shift channel, Discovery Channel +1, launched at the same time, as did several sister channels. Analogue broadcasts were terminated in 2001.
On May 22, 2006, Discovery HD
was made available on Sky as part of the Sky+ HD launch line up. It was also made available on Virgin Media
's cable service on April 1, 2010. From June 30, 2011 Discovery HD began to simulcast
Discovery Channel in high-definition
rather than use a separate schedule.
The channel briefly had a 90 minute timeshift, called Discovery Channel +1.5. It launched on June 25, 2007. It was replaced by Discovery Science +1 on April 21, 2008.
On January 2011, Discovery Channel UK released its new look which places its emphasis on the D-globe logo. The project was created by DixonBaxi and Double G Studios.
Discovery Networks Western Europe
Discovery Networks Western Europe is a branch of Discovery Networks International.It holds the responsibility for overseeing Discovery Networks International channels in 30 different countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, the Netherlands and other...
produces an English speaking channel which targets the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. The channel's programming is based on programming produced by Discovery Networks Europe, Discovery Channel Canada
Discovery Channel Canada
Discovery Channel is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel devoted to nature, adventure, science and technology programming. Discovery Channel is currently owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc...
and Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
from the US.
It first became available in the UK on April 1, 1989 when Discovery Channel Europe launched. It was the first extension of the Discovery Channel outside the United States.
Prior to 1993, UK viewers could receive the channel from Intelsat
Intelsat
Intelsat, Ltd. is a communications satellite services provider.Originally formed as International Telecommunications Satellite Organization , it was—from 1964 to 2001—an intergovernmental consortium owning and managing a constellation of communications satellites providing international broadcast...
satellites at 27.5° West. In July 1993, the Discovery Channel launched on the Astra 1C
Astra 1C
Astra 1C was the third communications satellite launched by the Société Européenne des Satellites , now SES Astra. It is the oldest Astra satellite still in operation, although it currently carries few services...
analogue satellite on the popular 19.2° East position where it used to broadcast only in the evening, starting at 4pm. On Astra, the daytime space was filled by CMT Europe
CMT Europe
CMT Europe was a European television channel. It was a European version of Country Music Television.The channel started in 1992. It was closed down on March 31, 1998 after substantial losses....
until 1994, when TLC
Discovery Real Time
Discovery Real Time is a factual television channel owned by Discovery Networks Europe.It was originally launched in the UK in March 1992 as TLC, a British version of the US channel of the same name...
(later on Discovery Home & Leisure
Discovery Real Time
Discovery Real Time is a factual television channel owned by Discovery Networks Europe.It was originally launched in the UK in March 1992 as TLC, a British version of the US channel of the same name...
) moved there. Eventually, Discovery Home & Leisure would broadcast from the morning to 4pm when Discovery Channel took over and would broadcast for ten hours until 2am.
With the launch of Sky in October 1998, Discovery Channel moved its start time to 8am, broadcasting for 18 hours per day. The time-shift channel, Discovery Channel +1, launched at the same time, as did several sister channels. Analogue broadcasts were terminated in 2001.
On May 22, 2006, Discovery HD
Discovery HD
Discovery HD is the international name of the high-definition television channels from Discovery Communications.The international Discovery HD first launched in Korea on February 2005 as a programming block...
was made available on Sky as part of the Sky+ HD launch line up. It was also made available on Virgin Media
Virgin Media
Virgin Media Inc. is a company which provides fixed and mobile telephone, television and broadband internet services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom...
's cable service on April 1, 2010. From June 30, 2011 Discovery HD began to simulcast
Simulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
Discovery Channel in high-definition
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
rather than use a separate schedule.
The channel briefly had a 90 minute timeshift, called Discovery Channel +1.5. It launched on June 25, 2007. It was replaced by Discovery Science +1 on April 21, 2008.
On January 2011, Discovery Channel UK released its new look which places its emphasis on the D-globe logo. The project was created by DixonBaxi and Double G Studios.
Programming
- MythBustersMythBustersMythBusters is a science entertainment TV program created and produced by Beyond Television Productions for the Discovery Channel. The series is screened by numerous international broadcasters, including Discovery Channel Australia, Discovery Channel Latin America, Discovery Channel Canada, Quest...
- American ChopperAmerican ChopperAmerican Chopper is a reality television series that airs on Discovery Channel, produced by Pilgrim Films & Television. The series centers on Paul Teutul, Sr. and his son Paul Teutul, Jr. , who manufacture custom motorcycles. Orange County Choppers is in Newburgh, New York...
- Extreme EngineeringExtreme EngineeringExtreme Engineering is a documentary television series that airs on the Discovery Channel and the Science Channel. The program features futuristic and ongoing engineering projects. As of April 2011, the show is airing its ninth season. Danny Forster first hosted the series in season 4 and has been...
- How Do They Do It?How Do They Do It?How Do They Do It? is a television series produced by Wag TV for Discovery Channel. Each programme explores how 2 or 3 ordinary objects are made and used...
- How It's MadeHow It's MadeHow It's Made is a documentary television series that premiered in 2001 on Science in the U.S., and Discovery Channel Canada in Canada. The program is produced in the Canadian province of Quebec by Productions MAJ, Inc...
- Deadliest CatchDeadliest CatchDeadliest Catch is a documentary/reality television series produced by Original Productions for the Discovery Channel. It portrays the real life events aboard fishing vessels in the Bering Sea during the Alaskan king crab and C. opilio crab fishing seasons.The Aleutian Islands port of Dutch Harbor,...
- Storm Chasers
- Man Vs Wild (known as Bear Grylls: Born Survivor)
- Wheeler DealersWheeler DealersWheeler Dealers is a British television series produced by Attaboy TV for the Discovery Channel, fronted by Mike Brewer and mechanic Edd China with assistance from technical advisor Paul Brackley...
- Coal Coal (TV Series)Coal is an American documentary reality television series produced by Original Productions for Spike. It portrays the real life events on a coal mine in Westchester, West Virginia and the inherent dangers involved....