Discovery Networks Deutschland
Encyclopedia
Discovery Networks Deutschland was a branch of Discovery Networks Europe
holding responsibility for overseeing Discovery Networks brands in Germany
, Austria
and German
-speaking parts of Switzerland
.Discovery Networks Deutschland's key operations are the free-to-air
DMAX
, Discovery Channel
, Animal Planet
and Discovery HD
. Previously, Discovery Networks Deutschland operated Discovery Geschichte
a channel based on historical events.
Like other Discovery channels in Europe. Discovery Networks Deutschland utilize existing productions from Discovery Networks Europe and Discovery Communications
.
, Discovery Networks Benelux
, Discovery Networks Nordic
, Discovery Networks UK & Ireland
and Discovery Networks Italia and Discovery Networks EMEA (which served all other territories). As of 2011, operations in the United Kingdom
, Republic of Ireland
, Germany
, Italy
, Sweden
, Denmark
, Norway
, Finland
, France
and Flanders
are operated by Discovery Networks Western Europe
. All other operations in Europe are operated by Discovery Networks CEEMEA in Warsaw.
In early 2011, Discovery Networks International restructured its operations in Europe. In February 2011, it established two key branches which resulted in the amalgamation of its localized networks in Europe.
in Germany
, Austria
and Switzerland
. Though the channel is widely available throughout the rest of Europe. It is seen as the only free-to-air mainstream channel with a focus on non-fiction entertainment, unique in German media.
a separate channel was launched for the UK and Ireland markets on 22 November 2007.
The channel also features many of Discovery Communications
global programs, including:
. It is operated by Discovery Networks Deutschland, which is located in Munich
.
It was launched on August 26, 1996 on the DF1 satellite platform. Back then, the channel was a joint-venture between Kirch Media and Discovery Communications
. After DF1 merged with Premiere World in 1999, it remained on the new Premiere
platform.
Kirch Media went bancrupt in 2002 and Discovery Communications subsequently became the sole owner of the channel.
The channel was lter joined by sister channel with the launch on Animal Planet
in 2004, Discovery Geschichte
in 2005 and Discovery HD
in 2006.
Discovery Channel was exclusively available through Premiere until 2009, when a new agreement was entered between Premiere and Discovery. The new contract allows the Discovery Channel to broadcast from other providers from July 1 and means that Animal Planet and Discovery Geschichte would disappear from Premiere.
An agreement to launch the channel exclusively on the Premiere platform was signed by Discovery Networks Deutschland and Premiere in October 2003. The channel launched at 9 p.m. och March 31, 2004. The new Animal Planet logo was adopted in November 2008.
On June 30, 2009, the channel will disappear from the Premiere platform and be replaced by its competitor Nat Geo Wild. This was the result of a new contract between Premiere and Discovery Networks in anticipation of Premiere's relaunch as Sky Deutschland in July. With the new contract the channel will be able to launch on other platforms. It will be available from cable provider Unitymedia's digital cable network from July 1.
Discovery Networks Europe
Discovery Networks Europe is a subsidiary of Discovery Networks International. The network was established in 1989 with its headquarters based in London and New York....
holding responsibility for overseeing Discovery Networks brands in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
-speaking parts of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.Discovery Networks Deutschland's key operations are the free-to-air
Free-to-air
Free-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
DMAX
DMAX (TV channel)
DMAX is a men's lifestyle channel operated by Discovery Networks Deutschland free-to-air in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Though the channel is widely available throughout the rest of Europe...
, Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel Germany
Discovery Channel Germany is the German version of the Discovery Channel. It is operated by Discovery Networks Deutschland, which is located in Munich....
, Animal Planet
Animal Planet Germany
Animal Planet Germany is a television channel broadcasting programmes about animals, nature and wildlife to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.An agreement to launch the channel exclusively on the Premiere platform was signed by Discovery Networks Deutschland and Premiere in October 2003. The channel...
and 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...
. Previously, Discovery Networks Deutschland operated Discovery Geschichte
Discovery Geschichte
Discovery Geschichte was a German television channel focusing on history-related programmes owned by Discovery Networks Europe...
a channel based on historical events.
Like other Discovery channels in Europe. Discovery Networks Deutschland utilize existing productions from Discovery Networks Europe and Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications, Inc. is an American global media and entertainment company. The company started as a single channel in 1985, The Discovery Channel. Today, DCI has global operations offering 28 network entertainment brands on more than 100 channels in more than 180 countries in 39...
.
Current operations
In 2007, Discovery Networks Europe decided to localize its networks across Europe. This resulted in the establishment of Discovery Discovery Networks DeutschlandDiscovery Networks Deutschland
Discovery Networks Deutschland was a branch of Discovery Networks Europe holding responsibility for overseeing Discovery Networks brands in Germany, Austria and German-speaking parts of Switzerland.Discovery Networks Deutschland's key operations are the free-to-air DMAX, Discovery Channel, Animal...
, Discovery Networks Benelux
Discovery Networks Benelux
Discovery Networks Benelux is a branch of Discovery Networks Europe responsible for channels in the Netherlands and Belgium. As of early 2009, Discovery Networks Benelux operates Discovery Channel and Animal Planet in the region with local advertising, sponsorship, programming and the use of the...
, Discovery Networks Nordic
Discovery Networks Nordic
Discovery Networks Nordic is a branch of Discovery Networks Europe holding responsibility for overseeing Discovery Networks brands in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland with headquarters in Copenhagen. Discovery Networks Nordic's key operations are the localization of Discovery Channel and the...
, Discovery Networks UK & Ireland
Discovery Networks UK
Discovery Networks UK was a branch of Discovery Networks responsible for overseeing Discovery Networks Europe's channels in the United Kingdom and in the Republic of Ireland....
and Discovery Networks Italia and Discovery Networks EMEA (which served all other territories). As of 2011, operations in 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...
, Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
are operated by Discovery Networks Western Europe
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...
. All other operations in Europe are operated by Discovery Networks CEEMEA in Warsaw.
In early 2011, Discovery Networks International restructured its operations in Europe. In February 2011, it established two key branches which resulted in the amalgamation of its localized networks in Europe.
- Discovery Networks Western EuropeDiscovery Networks Western EuropeDiscovery 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...
- Discovery Networks CEEMEADiscovery Networks CEEMEADiscovery Networks CEEMEA is a branch of Discovery Networks International headquartered in Warsaw, Poland...
Discovery Networks Deutschland
- DMAXDMAX (TV channel)DMAX is a men's lifestyle channel operated by Discovery Networks Deutschland free-to-air in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Though the channel is widely available throughout the rest of Europe...
- Discovery ChannelDiscovery Channel GermanyDiscovery Channel Germany is the German version of the Discovery Channel. It is operated by Discovery Networks Deutschland, which is located in Munich....
- Animal PlanetAnimal Planet GermanyAnimal Planet Germany is a television channel broadcasting programmes about animals, nature and wildlife to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.An agreement to launch the channel exclusively on the Premiere platform was signed by Discovery Networks Deutschland and Premiere in October 2003. The channel...
- Discovery HDDiscovery HDDiscovery 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...
DMAX
DMAX is a men's lifestyle channel operated by Discovery Networks Deutschland free-to-airFree-to-air
Free-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Though the channel is widely available throughout the rest of Europe. It is seen as the only free-to-air mainstream channel with a focus on non-fiction entertainment, unique in German media.
XXP origins
- DMAX is the Discovery CommunicationsDiscovery CommunicationsDiscovery Communications, Inc. is an American global media and entertainment company. The company started as a single channel in 1985, The Discovery Channel. Today, DCI has global operations offering 28 network entertainment brands on more than 100 channels in more than 180 countries in 39...
creation from the originally German sourced and owned station XXP. Discovery purchased XXP on 1 January 2006. DMAX was launched as a free-to-airFree-to-airFree-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
channel from 1 September, targeted towards men.
- Its name was invented by Discovery Creative Director James Gilbey who asked design agencies to submit names in an innovative competition. RedBee based in London were the winning agency.
- DMAX focuses on men's hobbies, and its range of programmes is aimed at men looking for more than the current offer of sports and news programmes. DMAX involves a mix of adventure and discovery, cars and technology, popular science, DIY and travel. DMAX does not include football or eroticPornographyPornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
programmes.
- Patrick Hörl is Managing Director, while Katja Hofem-Best, who comes from RTL IIRTL IIRTL II is a privately owned, commercial, general-interest German television channel.It was founded as a second-generation commercial broadcaster in 1993. It quickly became infamous for its perceived "trash programming", comprising lots of soft porn as well as shows such as Peep and many...
, is CEO.
Additional DMAX channels
With the success of the German speaking DMAXDMAX (UK & Ireland)
DMAX is a TV channel in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Discovery announced on 22 November 2007, that they would launch a version of DMAX in the UK and Ireland market on 8 January 2008 after its initial success in Germany....
a separate channel was launched for the UK and Ireland markets on 22 November 2007.
Some programmes shown on DMAX
- Was geht? Experiment am Limit (What works? Experiments at the limits) - gives solutions for childhood dreams and daily problems. e.g.: can a gun be fired underwater?
- Die Ludolfs – vier Brüder auf’m Schrottplatz (The Ludolfs – four brothers at the scrapyard) - observes Peter, Manni, Uwe and Günther eating pasta and fiddling around on broken cars
- D Tech - presenter Daniel Hartwich takes viewers through the world of knowledge in an entertainment
- Fish ’n’ Fun - entertains with beautiful landscape shots, reveals fishing tricks and shows men how to make a delicious dish out of their catch. The male desire for adventure is also satisfied, for example with the documentary series on crab fishers in Alaska’s waters
- D Motor - presented by Tim SchrickTim SchrickTim Schrick is a German racecar driver and television presenter. He is the son of Peter Schrick, founder of engine manufacturing company Dr...
and Sabine SchmitzSabine SchmitzSabine Schmitz , is a German former professional motor racing driver for BMW, now known for driving the BMW "Ring taxi" around the Nürburgring race track as well as being a television personality...
, who has to prove her own driving skill against an opponent on her local race track, the NürburgringNürburgringThe Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about... - Moneycoach – Rette dein Geld (Money coach – save your money) - presenter Michael Requardt helps viewers out of their debt trap
The channel also features many of Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications, Inc. is an American global media and entertainment company. The company started as a single channel in 1985, The Discovery Channel. Today, DCI has global operations offering 28 network entertainment brands on more than 100 channels in more than 180 countries in 39...
global programs, including:
- 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...
- 30 Days - with Morgan SpurlockMorgan SpurlockMorgan Valentine Spurlock is an American documentary filmmaker, humorist, television producer, screenwriter and journalist best known for the documentary film Super Size Me...
- Monster GarageMonster GarageMonster Garage is a television show for the Discovery Channel hosted by Jesse G. James. Each episode is an hour in length and was conceived and produced by Thom Beers.The show aired the series finale on June 12, 2006. Jesse G...
- with Jesse G. JamesJesse G. JamesJesse Gregory James is an American television personality and CEO of West Coast Choppers, a manufacturer of custom-made motorcycles. James was the host of the reality TV shows Jesse James is a Dead Man on Spike TV and Monster Garage, on the Discovery Channel, and the focus of the documentary... - Louis TherouxLouis TherouxLouis Sebastian Theroux is an English broadcaster best known for his Gonzo style journalism on the television series Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends and When Louis Met.... His career started off in journalism and bears influences of notable writers in his family such as his father, Paul Theroux and...
- Miami InkMiami InkMiami Ink is an American reality show on TLC that follows the events that took place at a tattoo shop in Miami Beach, Florida. The show premiered in July 2005 and has finished broadcasting its fourth season...
- GQ TVGQ (magazine)GQ is a monthly men's magazine focusing on fashion, style, and culture for men, through articles on food, movies, fitness, sex, music, travel, sports, technology, and books...
- based on the same format as the popular men's magazine - Jack Osbourne: Adrenaline JunkieJack Osbourne: Adrenaline JunkieJack Osbourne: Adrenaline Junkie was a British reality Television series on ITV2, series 1 focused on Jack Osbourne's globe-trekking six-month quest to get in physical and mental shape to climb the rockface of California's El Capitan mountain, the show documents Osbourne running with the bulls in...
- a BritishUnited KingdomThe 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...
realityReality televisionReality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
series focusing on Jack OsbourneJack OsbourneJack Joseph Osbourne is an English media personality, best known as the son of musician Ozzy Osbourne and music manager Sharon Osbourne, and brother of Aimee and Kelly Osbourne.-Early life and family:...
's globe-trekking six-month quest to get in physical and mental shape to climb the rockface of California's El CapitanEl CapitanEl Capitan is a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, located on the north side of Yosemite Valley, near its western end. The granite monolith extends about from base to summit along its tallest face, and is one of the world's favorite challenges for rock climbers.The formation was...
mountain - Long Way RoundLong Way RoundLong Way Round is a documentary television series, DVD set and book documenting the journey of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman from London to New York on motorcycles...
- documentary television series of the 19,000 mile journey of Ewan McGregorEwan McGregorEwan Gordon McGregor is a Scottish actor. He has had success in mainstream, indie, and art house films. McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting , young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy , and poet Christian in the...
and Charley BoormanCharley BoormanCharley Boorman is an English TV adventurer, travel writer and actor. He is well known for his association with motorcycles and enthusiasm for biking.-Education:...
from LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on motorcycleMotorcycleA motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s. They travelled eastwards through EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and AsiaAsiaAsia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, flew to AlaskaAlaskaAlaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and continued by road from there to New York. - Magnum, P.I.Magnum, P.I.Magnum, P.I. is an American television series starring Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum, a private investigator living on Oahu, Hawaii. The series ran from 1980 to 1988 in first-run broadcast on the American CBS television network....
- drama series starring Tom SelleckTom SelleckThomas William "Tom" Selleck is an American actor, and film producer. He is best known for his starring role as Hawaii-based private investigator Thomas Magnum on the 1980s television show Magnum, P.I.. He also plays Police Chief Jesse Stone in a series of made-for-TV movies based on the Robert B....
as Thomas Magnum, a successful private investigator.
- TeleshoppingInfomercialInfomercials are direct response television commercials which generally include a phone number or website. There are long-form infomercials, which are typically between 15 and 30 minutes in length, and short-form infomercials, which are typically 30 seconds to 120 seconds in length. Infomercials...
broadcasts when DMAX is off air.
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is the German version of the Discovery ChannelDiscovery 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...
. It is operated by Discovery Networks Deutschland, which is located in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
.
It was launched on August 26, 1996 on the DF1 satellite platform. Back then, the channel was a joint-venture between Kirch Media and Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications, Inc. is an American global media and entertainment company. The company started as a single channel in 1985, The Discovery Channel. Today, DCI has global operations offering 28 network entertainment brands on more than 100 channels in more than 180 countries in 39...
. After DF1 merged with Premiere World in 1999, it remained on the new Premiere
Premiere (pay television network)
Sky Deutschland AG, branded as Sky, is a German media company which operates the first pay television platform in Germany and Austria, offering several channels of digital content via satellite and cable....
platform.
Kirch Media went bancrupt in 2002 and Discovery Communications subsequently became the sole owner of the channel.
The channel was lter joined by sister channel with the launch on Animal Planet
Animal Planet Germany
Animal Planet Germany is a television channel broadcasting programmes about animals, nature and wildlife to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.An agreement to launch the channel exclusively on the Premiere platform was signed by Discovery Networks Deutschland and Premiere in October 2003. The channel...
in 2004, Discovery Geschichte
Discovery Geschichte
Discovery Geschichte was a German television channel focusing on history-related programmes owned by Discovery Networks Europe...
in 2005 and 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...
in 2006.
Discovery Channel was exclusively available through Premiere until 2009, when a new agreement was entered between Premiere and Discovery. The new contract allows the Discovery Channel to broadcast from other providers from July 1 and means that Animal Planet and Discovery Geschichte would disappear from Premiere.
Animal Planet
Animal Planet Germany is a television channel broadcasting programmes about animals, nature and wildlife to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.An agreement to launch the channel exclusively on the Premiere platform was signed by Discovery Networks Deutschland and Premiere in October 2003. The channel launched at 9 p.m. och March 31, 2004. The new Animal Planet logo was adopted in November 2008.
On June 30, 2009, the channel will disappear from the Premiere platform and be replaced by its competitor Nat Geo Wild. This was the result of a new contract between Premiere and Discovery Networks in anticipation of Premiere's relaunch as Sky Deutschland in July. With the new contract the channel will be able to launch on other platforms. It will be available from cable provider Unitymedia's digital cable network from July 1.