Animal Planet
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| Animal Planet | |
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| Current logo for Animal Planet in the United States | |
| Launched | June 1, 1996 |
| Owned by | Discovery Communications |
| Audience share | 0.1% (0.1% for +1) (UK) (February 2008, [1]) |
| Slogan | Same Planet. Different World. |
| Headquarters | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States |
| Sister channel(s) | TLC, Discovery Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Travel Channel, Investigation Discovery, Discovery Kids, The Science Channel, Discovery Home, Military Channel, Discovery en Español, Discovery HD Theater |
| Website | Animal Planet Site |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| DirecTV (United States) |
Channel 282 |
| Dish Network (United States) |
Channel 184 |
| SKY Latin America | Channel 252 |
| Orbit Network | Channel 32 |
| Cable | |
| Available on most cable systems | Check Local Listings for channels |
| Cable TV Hong Kong | Channel 55 |
Animal Planet, launched in 1996, is a cable and satellite television network co-owned by Discovery Communications, Inc. (parent company of Discovery Channel, TLC, and Discovery Health Channel) and BBC Worldwide. The channel is dedicated to programming that highlights the relationship between humans and animals.
High Definition simulcast of the channel launched September 1, 2007.
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[edit] History
On January 1, 1997, Animal Planet's distribution grew as a result of Discovery Communications buying the channel space of WOR EMI Service, a national feed of New York's WWOR-TV that was implemented in the light of the SyndEx laws enforced by the FCC.
It is available throughout the United States and in over 70 countries around the world.
Country-specific versions of the channel have been created in Canada, India, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore has an exhibit of Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extreme which opened in late 2005 in a multi-million dollar expansion. Animal Planet and the National Aquarium in Baltimore in 2004 announced a multi-year partnership which produced an original orientation film that gives Aquarium visitors background on the Australian area which inspired the new exhibit and a dedicated area inside the expansion where visitors can learn about Animal Planet's conservation efforts and other programming. The partnership also has possible future production of TV programs about the National Aquarium in Baltimore's research and exhibits.[1]
In 2006, BBC Worldwide sold its 20% interest in Animal Planet US back to Discovery Communications.[2] The BBC maintained its 50% ownership in Animal Planet Europe, Animal Planet Asia and Animal Planet Latin America and its minority position in Animal Planet Japan and Animal Planet Canada.[3]
Genius Products has announced a U.S. distribution agreement not only with Animal Planet, but also with TLC.[4]
Jakks Pacific has just signed a license to make Animal Planet pet products.[5]
[edit] Relaunch
On February 3, 2008, Animal Planet "relaunched" itself under a new image that sheds "its soft and furry side for programming and an image with more bite."[6] As part of the relaunch, Animal Planet replaced their elephant and spinning globe logo (currently only for the flagship channel in the United States) for a starker text image that allows more flexibility in its usage.[7] Eight new series and specials are scheduled to air in February, with the new shows aimed at reaching a more adult audience with programming designed to tap into humans' basic instincts with stories that reiterate what makes humans human.[8]
The goal is to move from being perceived by viewers as paternalistic, preachy, and observation-based to being seen as active, entertaining and edgy. That means targeting adults 25-49, rather than full families, with less voice-of-God narration and more visceral imagery and sounds. Think of it as swapping a drab narrator saying that a lion is about to kill its prey for the blood-curdling scream of the doomed creature as it meets its demise.
—Anne Becker, Broadcasting & Cable[7]
Recent additions to the channel, such as Meerkat Manor and Orangutan Island, already reflect this newer focus on "predation programming" and more immersive story telling. Animal Planet hopes this new direction will help revitalize stagnating ratings, after primetime viewing in 2007 dropped 9%.[9]
Animal Planet is offering new dramas, fantasy and comedy series for the 2008-2009 season.[10]
[edit] Programs
[edit] Animal Planet HD
Animal Planet HD is a high definition simulcast of Animal Planet that launched September 1, 2007. It is currently available on Dish Network, Cox, Comcast and DirecTV.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Aquarium Announces Partners in Australia Exhibit, National Aquarium in Baltimore, June 17, 2004
- ^ http://www.bbcworldwide.com/annualreviews/review2006/BBCWWAnnual%20Review2006.pdf
- ^ EDGAR Filing Documents for 0000950134-07-004374
- ^ Genius Products Announces U.S. Distribution with Discovery's Animal Planet and TLC, Yahoo!, April 19, 2007
- ^ Jakks Pacific Signs License to Make Animal Planet Pet Products, Yahoo!, February 14, 2008
- ^ "Animal Planet presents new face to the world", PR Week, 2008-01-16. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
- ^ a b Animal Planet Changes Its Stripes. Broadcasting & Cable (2008-01-14). Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
- ^ Discovery Communications (2008-01-14). "Animal Planet Reveals A New Species of Entertainment for 2008". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
- ^ "After Ratings Slip, Animal Planet Turns to Its Wilder Side", Yahoo!, 2008-01-15. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
- ^ Animal Planet Offers "Entertaining" Slate, Multichannel News, April 8, 2008
[edit] External links
- Animal Planet Australia
- Animal Planet Brazil
- Animal Planet Canada
- Animal Planet China
- Animal Planet Denmark
- Animal Planet Europe
- Animal Planet Germany
- Animal Planet Italy
- Animal Planet Japan
- Animal Planet Latin America
- Animal Planet Netherlands
- Animal Planet Poland
- Animal Planet Romania
- Animal Planet South East Asia
- Animal Planet Taiwan
- Animal Planet UK
- Animal Planet USA
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| UK channels |
BBC One (in Northern Ireland • Scotland • Wales) · BBC Two (in Northern Ireland • Scotland • Wales) · BBC Three · BBC Four · BBC News 24 · BBC Parliament · CBBC Channel · CBeebies · BBC HD · Gaelic Digital Service |
| International channels | |
| Joint ventures |
Animal Planet · People+Arts · UKTV (UK and Ireland) · UK.TV (Australia and New Zealand) |
| Defunct channels | |
