Animal Planet

Animal Planet
Animal Planet 2009-present
Launched October 1, 1996 (1996-10-01)
Owned by Discovery, Inc.
Picture format 1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 480i letterbox for SDTVs)
Slogan Surprisingly Human
Country United States
Language English
Broadcast area National
Headquarters Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Sister channel(s)
Website www.animalplanet.com
Availability
Satellite
DirecTV
Dish Network 184 (HD/SD)
DigitAlb 76 (HD only)
Cable
Verizon FiOS
  • 130 (SD)
  • 630 (HD)
Comcast Cable
  • 66 (SD)
  • 224 (HD)
Bukidnon Z5 Cable 17 (SD)
IPTV
Sky Angel 311
AT&T U-verse
  • 252 (SD)
  • 1252 (HD)
Zazeen (Canada) 94 (HD)
Streaming media
PlayStation Vue Internet Protocol television

Animal Planet is an American pay television channel owned by Discovery, Inc. Originally focused on more educationally-based television shows, the network has featured more reality programming since 2008. It is available throughout the United States, as well as in over 70 countries around the world. Country-specific versions of the channel have been created in Canada, India, Japan, Taiwan, and other countries.

As of January 2016, approximately 91,603,000 households receive Animal Planet.[1]

History

Animal Planet was launched on October 1, 1996; it was created by Discovery Communications in cooperation with the British Broadcasting Corporation. On January 1, 1997, Animal Planet's distribution grew as a result of Advance Entertainment Corporation selling the satellite transponder slot belonging to the WWOR EMI Service (a national superstation feed of Secaucus, New Jersey/New York City's WWOR-TV, that was implemented following the 1989 passage of the Syndication Exclusivity Rights Rule by the Federal Communications Commission) to Discovery Communications, replacing the feed with Animal Planet outright.[2]

In late 2005, as part of a multimillion-dollar expansion, the National Aquarium in Baltimore opened an exhibit called "Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extreme". Animal Planet and the National Aquarium in Baltimore announced a multi-year partnership the year prior, 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 allowed the possibility of future productions of television programs about the National Aquarium in Baltimore's research and exhibits.[3]

In 2006, BBC Worldwide sold its 20% interest in the flagship Animal Planet U.S. network back to Discovery Communications.[4] The BBC maintained its 50% ownership in Animal Planet's European, Asian and Latin American channels, as well as a minority interest in Animal Planet Japan and Animal Planet Canada until November 15, 2010,[5] when BBC Worldwide sold 50% interest in Animal Planet and Liv to Discovery Communications for $156 million.[6] Animal Planet is additionally an associate member of the Caribbean Cable Cooperative.[7]

During the late 2000s, Genius Products announced a U.S. distribution agreement involving Animal Planet and TLC. Jakks Pacific also entered into a licensing agreement to develop Animal Planet-branded pet products.

2009 rebranding

On February 3, 2008, amidst declining average viewership, Animal Planet underwent a major revamp in its programming and branding. The new lineup placed a larger focus on series portraying animals as "characters" in their own right, and more "aggressive" and story-based entertainment series targeting adults 25-49 (such as Escape to Chimp Eden and the reality documentary series Whale Wars), as opposed to traditional nature documentaries and family viewing. The network also adopted a new logo, replacing its previous "elephant and globe" emblem with a stylized wordmark, and the new slogan "Same Planet, Different World". Network president Marjorie Kaplan explained that Animal Planet had been too "soft" and family-oriented, and that it was aiming to be "more aggressive and tapping into the instinctual nature of compelling animal content."[8][9][10]

In April 2010, Animal Planet introduced a new marketing campaign, "Surprisingly Human", as an evolution of the 2008 rebranding. The slogan reflected Animal Planet's increasing number of personality-based series following animal-related investigations and occupations, such as River Monsters.[11]

In April 2012, Animal Planet's entertainment-oriented direction was criticized after it broadcast Mermaids: The Body Found—a fictional documentary suggesting that mermaids were real. Despite its fictitious content, the documentary was widely-viewed, and a follow-up entitled Mermaids: The New Evidence set an all-time ratings record for the channel.[12][13][14]

Programming

Recent additions to the channel, such as Meerkat Manor and Orangutan Island, reflect its shift toward "predation programming" and more immersive storytelling. Animal Planet intended the new direction to help revitalize stagnating ratings, after primetime viewership of the network dropped by 9% in 2007.[10] Animal Planet added pseudo-scientific documentary, reality television, and sitcom shows to its line-up.

Animal Planet is also well known for its annual stunt program, the Puppy Bowl, a yearly special shown during the afternoon leading up to the NFL's Super Bowl, primarily consisting of puppies at play; the original commentator was the sports broadcaster Harry Kalas.[15]

High definition

The 1080i high definition simulcast of Animal Planet launched on September 1, 2007; it is available on all major cable and satellite providers.

It was also launched on February 3, 2009 in Norway for Canal Digital. Norway is the first country outside the U.S. to receive a high definition feed of Animal Planet.[16]

Animal Planet Magazine

D.C. Thomson & Co. partnered with Discovery Communications to publish Animal Planet Magazine in the United Kingdom. The magazine's first issue was released on February 16, 2011.[17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Cable Network Coverage Area Household Universe Estimates: January 2016". Broadcasting and Cable. NewBay Media.
  2. ↑ Paikert, Charles. "Discovery dogs WWOR; Animal Planet gets leg up on Open Slots", Multichannel News, January 6, 1997. Retrieved February 24, 2011 from HighBeam Research.
  3. ↑ "Aquarium Announces Partners in Australia Exhibit". National Aquarium in Baltimore. June 17, 2004. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  4. ↑ "BBC Worldwide Annual Review 2005/06" (PDF). BBC Worldwide. March 31, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 3, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  5. ↑ EDGAR Filing Documents for 0000950134-07-004374
  6. ↑ "BBC and Discovery Communications announce new partnership and BBC Worldwide sells its interest in joint venture to Discovery". BBC. 15 November 2010.
  7. ↑ Member channels of the Caribbean Cable Cooperative Archived 2011-08-16 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ Brune, Adrian (January 16, 2008). "Animal Planet presents new face to the world". PR Week. Retrieved February 2, 2008.
  9. ↑ Becker, Anne (January 14, 2008). "Animal Planet Changes Its Stripes". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved February 2, 2008.
  10. 1 2 Stelter, Brian (January 14, 2008). "After Ratings Slip, Animal Planet Turns to Its Wilder Side". The New York Times. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  11. ↑ Bierly, Mandi (April 8, 2010). "Animal Planet's new tagline: 'Surprisingly Human'". Entertainment Week. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  12. ↑ Cooper, Gael Fashingbauer. "Were you fooled by Animal Planet's mermaid special?". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
  13. ↑ Switek, Brian (May 31, 2012). "Mermaids Embodies the Rotting Carcass of Science TV". Wired. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  14. ↑ Hibberd, James (May 28, 2013). "Mermaid hoax drowns Animal Planet's ratings record". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  15. ↑ Ryzik, Melena (February 2, 2008). "'Just Fine as Tackles, but They Can't Pass". The New York Times.
  16. ↑ "Nyhet! Animal Planet HD" (in Norwegian). Canal Digital. January 13, 2009. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009.
  17. ↑ Loveday, Samantha (February 11, 2011). "DC Thomson Teams with Discovery for Animal Planet Mag". Licensing.biz. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
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