Animal Planet

Infobox TV channel
name = Animal Planet
logofile = Animal Planet Canada Logo.pnglogoalt =
logosize = 170px
slogan = Same Planet. Different World.
launch = June 1 1996
share = 0.1% (0.1% for +1) (UK)
share as of = April 2008
share source = [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/monthreports.cfm?report=monthgmulti]
owner = Discovery Communications
headquarters = Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
sister names = Discovery Networks TLC Travel Channel
web = [http://animal.discovery.com/ Animal Planet Site]
sat serv 1 = DirecTV
(United States)
sat chan 1 = Channel 282
Channel 1282 (VOD)
sat serv 2 = Dish Network
(United States)
sat chan 2 = Channel 184 887
sat serv 3 = SKY Latin America
sat chan 3 = Channel 252
sat serv 4 = Orbit Network
sat chan 4 = Channel 32
sat serv 5 = SKY Italia
sat chan 5 = Channel 421
sat serv 6 = DStv]
(South Africa)
sat chan 6 = Channel 264
sat serv 7 = Cyfra+
sat chan 7 = Channel 93
cable serv 1 = Available on most cable systems
cable chan 1 = Check Local Listings for channels
cable serv 2 = Cable TV Hong Kong
cable chan 2 = Channel 55
cable serv 3 =Bright House Networks
cable chan 3 = Channels May Vary
adsl serv 1 = Tiscali TV
(UK)
adsl chan 1 = Channel 107
adsl serv 2=Sky Angel
adsl chan 2=Channel 311

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's boadcasts are mainly documentaries about animals. A high-definition simulcast of the channel launched September 1 2007.

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, 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. [ [http://www.aqua.org/news_pr_australiapartners.html Aquarium Announces Partners in Australia Exhibit] , "National Aquarium in Baltimore", June 17, 2004]

In 2006, BBC Worldwide sold its 20% interest in Animal Planet US back to Discovery Communications. [http://www.bbcworldwide.com/annualreviews/review2006/BBCWWAnnual%20Review2006.pdf] 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. [ [http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1320482/000095013407004374/0000950134-07-004374-index.htm EDGAR Filing Documents for 0000950134-07-004374 ] ]

Genius Products has announced a U.S. distribution agreement not only with Animal Planet, but also with TLC. [ [http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070419/20070419005378.html Genius Products Announces U.S. Distribution with Discovery's Animal Planet and TLC] , "Yahoo!", April 19, 2007]

Jakks Pacific has just signed a license to make Animal Planet pet products. [ [http://biz.yahoo.com/bizj/080214/1591094.html Jakks Pacific Signs License to Make Animal Planet Pet Products] , "Yahoo!", February 14, 2008]

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."cite news |url=http://www.prweekus.com/Animal-Planet-presents-new-face-to-the-world/article/104257/ |publisher=PR Week |title=Animal Planet presents new face to the world |lastname=Brune |firstname=Adrian |date=2008-01-16 |accessdate=2008-02-02 ] 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.cite web |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6522304.html |title=Animal Planet Changes Its Stripes |publisher=Broadcasting & Cable |lastname=Becker |firstname=Anne |date=2008-01-14 |accessdate=2008-02-02 ] 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. [cite press release |url=http://corporate.discovery.com/news/press/08q1/animal-planet-011408.html |title=Animal Planet Reveals A New Species of Entertainment for 2008 | publisher=Discovery Communications |date=2008-01-14 |accessdate=2008-02-01]

Programming

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%. [cite news |url=http://biz.yahoo.com/nytimes/080115/1194736753246.html |title=After Ratings Slip, Animal Planet Turns to Its Wilder Side |publisher=Yahoo! |lastname=Stelter |firstname=Brian |date=2008-01-15 |accessdate=2008-02-02]

Animal Planet is offering new dramas, fantasy and comedy series for the 2008-2009 season. [ [http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6548979.html Animal Planet Offers "Entertaining" Slate] , "Multichannel News", April 8 2008]

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, DirecTV and Time Warner Cable.

See also

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

References

External links

Main

* [http://animal.discovery.com Animal Planet Official Website]
* [http://www.discovery.com/ Discovery Communications Inc.]

Other

* [http://www.animalplanet.com.au/_home/ Animal Planet Australia]
* [http://www.animalplanetbrasil.com/_home/index.shtml Animal Planet Brazil]
* [http://www.animalplanet.ca Animal Planet Canada]
* [http://www.animalplanet.com.cn/ Animal Planet China]
* [http://www.animalplanet.dk/_listings/index.shtml Animal Planet Denmark]
* [http://www.animalplanetasia.com/_home/index.shtml Animal Planet South East Asia]
* [http://www.animalplaneteurope.com/ Animal Planet Europe]
* [http://www.animalplanet.de Animal Planet Germany]
* [http://www.animalplanet.it/_home/ Animal Planet Italy]
* [http://www.animal-planet.jp/ Animal Planet Japan]
* [http://www.animalplanetlatino.com/_home/ Animal Planet Latin America]
* [http://www.animalplanet.nl/_home/ Animal Planet Netherlands]
* [http://www.animalplanet.pl/ Animal Planet Poland]
* [http://www.animalplanet.ro/ Animal Planet Romania]
* [http://www.animalplanet.com.tw Animal Planet Taiwan]
* [http://www.animalplanet.co.uk/ Animal Planet UK]