Animal Planet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section has multiple issues. Please help improve the article or discuss these issues on the talk page. It needs additional references or sources for verification. Tagged since January 2008. It may not present a worldwide view of the subject. Tagged since January 2008. It may be confusing or unclear for some readers. Tagged since January 2008. It needs to be expanded. Tagged since January 2008. It may require general cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Tagged since January 2008. Its introduction may need to be rewritten to comply with Wikipedia's lead section guidelines. Tagged since January 2008.

Animal Planet
Launched	June 1, 1996
Owned by	Discovery Communications
Audience share	0.1% (0.1% for +1) (UK) (April 2008, [1])
Slogan	Same Planet. Different World.
Headquarters	Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Sister channel(s)	Discovery Networks
Website	Animal Planet Site
Availability
Satellite
DirecTV (United States)	Channel 282 Channel 1282 (VOD)
Dish Network (United States)	Channel 184 887
SKY Latin America	Channel 252
Orbit Network	Channel 32
SKY Italia	Channel 421
DStv] (South Africa)	Channel 264
Cyfra+	Channel 93
Cable
Available on most cable systems	Check Local Listings for channels
Cable TV Hong Kong	Channel 55
Bright House Networks	Channels May Vary
IPTV over ADSL
Tiscali TV (UK)	Channel 107

Animal Planet is an American satellite and cable television channel (also broadcast via IPTV in the UK), launched on June 1, 1996 and distributed by Discovery Communications. The channel is dedicated to programming that highlights the relationship between humans and animals. A high-definition simulcast of the channel launched September 1, 2007.

[edit] History

The network's first logo, used from June 1, 1996 to February 3, 2008 in the United States and still used in all other markets except in Canada.

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, Japan, Taiwan 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]

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 and Canada) 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]

[edit] Programming

Main article: List of programs broadcast by Animal Planet

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] 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

• List of channels on Virgin Television
• List of DirecTV channels
• List of Dish Network channels

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[edit] Main

• Animal Planet Official Website
• Discovery Communications Inc.

[edit] Other

• Animal Planet Australia
• Animal Planet Brazil
• Animal Planet Canada
• Animal Planet China
• Animal Planet Denmark
• Animal Planet South East Asia
• 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 Taiwan
• Animal Planet UK