Animal Planet - Wikipedia

American pay television channel For other uses, see Animal Planet (disambiguation). Television channel Animal Planet

Logo used since 2018
Country	United States
Broadcast area	United StatesEuropeAustraliaSoutheast AsiaMiddle EastAfricaRussiaNew ZealandSouth Asia
Headquarters	230 Park Avenue SouthNew York City, New York, U.S.
Programming
Language	English
Picture format	1080i HDTV(downscaled to 480i letterboxed for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
Parent	Warner Bros. Discovery Networks
Sister channels	List Adult Swim American Heroes Channel Boomerang Cartoon Network Cartoonito Cinemax CNN Cooking Channel Destination America Discovery Channel Discovery en Español Discovery Family Discovery Familia Discovery Life Food Network HBO HGTV HLN Investigation Discovery Magnolia Network Motor Trend Oprah Winfrey Network Science Channel TBS TLC TNT Travel Channel TruTV Turner Classic Movies
History
Launched	June 1, 1996; 29 years ago (1996-06-01)
Links
Website	animalplanet.com
Availability
Streaming media
Affiliated Streaming Service(s)	HBO Max and Discovery+
Service(s)	DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Philo, YouTube TV

Animal Planet (stylized in all lowercase since 2018) is an American multinational pay television channel focusing on the animal kingdom owned by the Warner Bros. Discovery Networks unit of Warner Bros. Discovery. First established on June 1, 1996,[1] the channel is primarily devoted to series and documentaries about wild animals and domestic pets.[citation needed]

The channel was originally a joint venture with BBC Worldwide, and primarily focused on nature documentaries surrounding wildlife, targeting a family audience. In 2008, Animal Planet rebranded with a more mature programming direction, with a greater emphasis on aggressive and predatory portrayals of animals, as well as an increase in reality series following personalities involved in animal-related occupations and investigations. Animal Planet rebranded again in October 2018, pivoting away from its more aggressive branding.

As of November 2023[update], Animal Planet is available to approximately 70,000,000 pay television households in the United States-down from its 2011 peak of 98,000,000 households.[2] Discovery has also established or licensed international versions of the channel in various regions.

History

[edit]

Animal Planet was launched on June 1, 1996; it was created by Discovery Communications in cooperation with BBC Worldwide. 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.[3]

In late 2005, as part of a multi-million 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.[4]

In 2006, BBC Worldwide sold its 20% interest in the flagship Animal Planet U.S. network back to Discovery Communications.[5] 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,[6] when BBC Worldwide sold 50% interest in Animal Planet and Liv to Discovery Communications for $156 million.[7] Animal Planet is additionally an associate member of the Caribbean Cable Cooperative.[8]

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.

2008 rebranding

[edit]

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 mature viewers 13-49 (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."[9][10][11]

In April 2010, Animal Planet introduced a new slogan and 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.[12]

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.[13][14]

2018 rebranding

[edit]

On October 15, 2018, Animal Planet unveiled a new logo, featuring a symbol of a jumping elephant resembling the original logo. The new branding symbolizes a new mission of "keeping the childhood joy and wonder of animals alive by bringing people up close in every way." The new branding coincided with the October 28 premieres of Crikey! It's the Irwins (a new series following the family of Steve Irwin) and Amanda to the Rescue, and the premiere of Big Cat Stories the following night.[15][16]

On January 23, 2019, Animal Planet was launched in France, along with Discovery Turbo, Discovery World and TLC.

Programming

[edit] Main article: List of Animal Planet original programming

Additions to the channel in the late 2000s, such as Meerkat Manor and Orangutan Island, reflected 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.[11] Animal Planet added pseudo-scientific documentary, reality television, and sitcom shows to its line-up.

Animal Planet is also well known for the Puppy Bowl, an annual special featuring puppies at play inside a football-themed setting. The special airs on the afternoon prior to the NFL's Super Bowl, and was originally narrated by commentator and NFL Films narrator Harry Kalas before his death.[17]

On October 29, 2022, months after the merger of Discovery, Inc. and WarnerMedia into Warner Bros. Discovery, it was announced that Pit Bulls & Parolees would air its final season,[18] while other shows like Lone Star Law and Louisiana Law moved to Discovery Channel. With the exception of Puppy Bowl XIX that aired on the network February 12, 2023,[19] the latest programming moves left Animal Planet to air reruns of the network's programming as well as other shows from other Discovery properties pre-WBD merger.

Animal Planet Magazine

[edit]

D.C. Thomson & Co. partnered with Discovery to publish Animal Planet Magazine in the United Kingdom. The magazine's first issue was published on February 16, 2011.[20]

See also

[edit]

• Animal Planet (UK & Ireland)
• Animal Planet (Canada)
• Animal Planet Nordic
• Animal Planet (Australia and New Zealand)
• Animal Planet (Germany)
• Animal Planet Europe
• Animal Planet (Poland)
• Animal Planet (India)
• Animal Planet (Asia)
• List of programs broadcast by Animal Planet

References

[edit]

1. ^ "Cable is there for kids" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. August 12, 1996. p. 35. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
2. ^ "U.S. cable network households (universe), 1990 – 2023". wrestlenomics.com. May 14, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
3. ^ Paikert, Charles. "Discovery dogs WWOR; Animal Planet gets leg up on Open Slots", Multichannel News, January 6, 1997.
4. ^ "Aquarium Announces Partners in Australia Exhibit". National Aquarium in Baltimore. June 17, 2004. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
5. ^ "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.
6. ^ EDGAR Filing Documents for 0000950134-07-004374
7. ^ "BBC and Discovery Communications announce new partnership and BBC Worldwide sells its interest in joint venture to Discovery". BBC News. November 15, 2010.
8. ^ "Member channels of the Caribbean Cable Cooperative". CCTVCoop.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011.
9. ^ Brune, Adrian (January 16, 2008). "Animal Planet presents new face to the world". PR Week. Retrieved February 2, 2008.
10. ^ Becker, Anne (January 14, 2008). "Animal Planet Changes Its Stripes". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved February 2, 2008.
11. ^ a b Stelter, Brian (January 14, 2008). "After Ratings Slip, Animal Planet Turns to Its Wilder Side". The New York Times. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
12. ^ Bierly, Mandi (April 8, 2010). "Animal Planet's new tagline: 'Surprisingly Human'". Entertainment Week. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
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. ^ Clarke, Stewart (October 16, 2018). "Rebranded Animal Planet Under Susanna Dinnage Goes Global". Variety. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
16. ^ Pedersen, Erik (October 16, 2018). "Animal Planet Rebrands with New Logo, Look & Mission". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
17. ^ Ryzik, Melena (February 2, 2008). "'Just Fine as Tackles, but They Can't Pass". The New York Times.
18. ^ 'Pit Bulls and Parolees' Has Announced It's [sic] Final Season — But Why Is It Ending? - Distractify (published October, 29, 2022)
19. ^ Meet the Players of Puppy Bowl XIX - (accessed December 13, 2022)
20. ^ Loveday, Samantha (February 11, 2011). "DC Thomson Teams with Discovery for Animal Planet Mag". Licensing.biz. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2013.

External links

[edit]

• Official website

v t e Warner Bros. Discovery
List of libraries owned by Warner Bros. Discovery Proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery
Executives	Board of directors Samuel DiPiazza (Chairman) David Zaslav (CEO) Robert Bennett Li Haslett Chen Richard Fisher Paul Gould Debra Lee John C. Malone Fazal Merchant Paula Price Geoff Yang Senior management David Zaslav (President and CEO) Michael De Luca Pamela Abdy Channing Dungey Casey Bloys Kathleen Finch Sir Mark Thompson JB Perrette Gerhard Zeiler David Decker
Facilities	Warner Bros. Studios Burbank Leavesden
Streaming &Studios	Streaming Discovery+ HBO Go HBO Max original programming Player.pl Warner Bros.Entertainment MotionPicture Group Warner Bros. Pictures New Line Cinema Warner Bros. Pictures Animation Discovery Films Spyglass Media Group (minority) Flagship Entertainment Group (49%) TelevisionGroup Warner Bros. Television Warner Horizon Unscripted Television Telepictures A Very Good Production Alloy Entertainment Blue Ribbon Content The Cartoon Network, Inc. Williams Street Warner Bros. Animation Cartoon Network Studios Warner Bros. International Television Production Netherlands UK Ricochet Twenty Twenty Television Wall to Wall Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe Spain Australia CN LA Original Productions Games Avalanche Software Cartoon Network Games Monolith Productions NetherRealm Studios Player First Games Portkey Games Rocksteady Studios TT Games Traveller's Tales WB Games Boston WB Games Montréal Other units Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment Studio Distribution ServicesJV Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures WaterTower Music Fandango Media (25% with NBCUniversal) Ritmo 95.7JV Turner Entertainment Co. Wolper Organization DC DC Comics DC Black Label Vertigo Comics Milestone Media WildStorm DC Universe Infinite DC Studios Mad Home BoxOffice, Inc. U.S. services HBO (Multiplex) Cinemax (Multiplex) International Asia HBO Family HBO Hits HBO Signature Cinemax Brazil Canada Europe Cinemax Central Europe New Zealand Ventures HBO Films HBO Documentary Films GlobalExperiences Consumer Products Warner Bros. Resorts Warner Bros. Movie World Parque Warner Madrid Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood London Tokyo Shanghai The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Orlando Hollywood Osaka Beijing Harry Potter: The Exhibition Hotels Cartoon Network Hotel The WB Abu Dhabi
GlobalLinearNetworks	Television Food Network, G.P. (69%) UnitedStates Factual andLifestyle American Heroes Channel Animal Planet Discovery Channel Discovery en Español Discovery Life Food NetworkJV Cooking Channel HGTV Hogar de HGTV Magnolia NetworkJV Oprah Winfrey Network (95%) Entertainment Destination America HLN Investigation Discovery Science Channel TBS TCM TLC TNT Travel Channel TruTV Kids and Family Boomerang Cartoon Network Adult Swim Adult Swim Games Toonami Cartoonito brand Discovery Family (60%) Discovery Familia TNT Sports Bleacher Report NBA TV MLB Network (16.67%) Golf Digest Golf World Broadcast TV &FAST channels The CW (12.5%) The CW Plus CW Seed Free TV NetworksJV The365 Outlaw Dare (50%) VCR Action VCR Haha WBTV Watchlist Keeping It Real All Together Sweet Escapes Paws & Claws Slice of Life Welcome Home At the Movies How To Supernatural Crime Series Mysteries Love & Marriage Family Rules Cartoon Rewind CNNGlobal United States CNN CNN Business CNN en Español International CNN-News18 CNN Türk CNN International EMEA Asia-Pacific South Asia Licensed A2 CNN Antena 3 CNN CNN Chile CNN Brazil CNN Indonesia CNN Philippines (defunct) CNN Portugal CNN Prima News N1 Other properties CNN Headlines CNN Fast Production CNN Films Asia-Pacific Pan-Asia Animal Planet Asian Food Network Cartoon Network Cartoonito Discovery Asia Discovery Channel Discovery Science DMAX Eurosport Asia Pacific EVE Food Network TLC Travel Channel East Asia Cartoon Network Japan Korea Taiwan Cartoonito Korea Mondo TV (Japan) Tabi Channel South Asia Cartoon Network India HD+ Pakistan Pogo Animal Planet India Discovery Channel India HGTV India Travel Channel Food Network DTamil India Discovery Science India Discovery Turbo India Discovery Kids India Eurosport India Investigation Discovery TLC India Southeast Asia Boomerang Thailand Cartoon Network Asia Philippines Cartoonito Asia Cinemax Asia HBO Asia Family Hits Signature World Heritage Channel Warner TV Australasia Animal Planet Discovery Discovery Turbo Investigation Discovery TLC Australia 9Rush (co-owned with Nine) Cartoon Network New Zealand HBO Living EMEA France Boomerang Cartoon Network Cartoonito Discovery Channel Discovery Investigation Eurosport 1 2 TCM Cinéma TLC Warner TV Warner TV Next Germany,Benelux & CEE Animal Planet Germany Netherlands & Flanders Cartoon Network Central & Eastern Europe Western Europe Cartoonito Discovery Flanders Germany Hungary Netherlands Romania CIS Discovery Science Netherlands DMAX (Germany) Eurosport 1 2 2 Xtra HGTV Netherlands Investigation Discovery Tele 5 (Germany) TLC Germany MENA Netherlands Romania Warner TV Czech Republic Germany Comedy Film Serie Romania Travel Channel Italy Boing Boomerang Cartoon Network Cartoonito Discovery Channel DMAX Eurosport 1 2 Frisbee Giallo K2 Motor Trend Nove Real Time Warner TV Scandinavia Animal Planet Cartoon Network Cartoonito Discovery Denmark Finland Sweden Norway Eurosport 1 2 Discovery Science TLC Sweden Norway Travel Channel Denmark Kanal 4 Kanal 5 6'eren Canal 9 Finland TV5 Kutonen Frii Norway TVNorge FEM REX VOX Sweden Kanal 5 Kanal 9 Kanal 11 Iberia Boing Spain Cartoon Network Portugal Cartoonito Portugal Discovery Portugal Spain DMAX Spain HGTV Portugal Investigation Discovery Portugal TCM Spain Warner TV Spain UK and Ireland Adult Swim Animal Planet Boomerang Cartoon Network Cartoonito Discovery Discovery History Discovery Science Discovery Turbo DMAX Eurosport 1 Eurosport 2 Food Network HGTV Investigation Discovery Quest Quest Red Really TLC TNT Sports TNT Sports 4 TNT Sports Box Office Turkey Cartoon Network Cartoonito DMAX Eurosport 1 Eurosport 2 TLC MENA Asharq Discovery Boing (Africa) Cartoon Network Africa Arabic Hindi MENA Cartoonito Toonami (Africa) TNT Africa Warner TV Poland TVN Group TVN TVN 7 TVN24 TVN24 BiS TVN Fabuła iTVN iTVN Extra TVN Style TVN Turbo TTV Other channels Food Network HGTV Travel Channel Discovery Discovery Science Animal Planet TLC Discovery Life ID DTX Discovery Historia Metro Eurosport 1 Eurosport 2 HBO HBO 2 HBO 3 Cinemax Cinemax 2 Warner TV Cartoon Network Cartoonito Americas Canada(licensed) Animal Planet Adult Swim Boomerang Cartoon Network Cooking Channel Discovery Channel Discovery Science Discovery Velocity Food Network HGTV HBO Investigation Discovery Magnolia Network Latin America,Caribbeanand Brazil Adult Swim Cartoon Network Cartoonito Cinemax Discovery Home & Health Kids Science Theater HD Turbo World HD Food Network Golf Channel HBO + 2 Brasil Caribbean Family Mundi Pop Signature Xtreme HGTV HTV ID Space TCM TLC TNT Novelas Series TNT Sports Argentina Brazil Chile Mexico Tooncast Warner TV
Predecessors	Time Warner / WarnerMedia Kinney National Company Time Inc. AOL Turner Broadcasting System Discovery, Inc. Discovery Holding Company Scripps Networks Interactive
Former units	fromWarner Bros. Castle Rock Entertainment Crunchyroll DramaFever eleveneleven Hooq (17.5%) In2TV Midway Games New Line Home Entertainment Infinifilm Outright Distribution QuibiJV Rooster Teeth (Global Streaming & Interactive Entertainment) Shed Productions Snowblind Studios Stage 13 Surreal Software The WB The WB 100+ Station Group Warner Premiere Raw Feed Warner Bros. Family Entertainment Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics Warner Independent Pictures DC Universe Warner Max Watershed Television Yalli Productions from Turner Audience Network AT&T SportsNet Root Sports Northwest (29%) Pittsburgh SportsNet Rocky Mountain Southwest Boomerang (Australia) Boomerang (Latin America) Cable Music Channel Cartoon Network Too CNN+ CNN+ (Channel) CNNfn CNNSI CNN Airport CNX FilmStruck Game Show Network (42%) Great Big Story Hulu (10%) iStreamPlanet LazyTown Entertainment Oh!K Retro Super Deluxe Studio T Toonami Channel (Asia) Toonami India Toonami UK TNT Sweden TCM South East Asia TCM Northern Europe Turner Program Services Turner South WB Channel Woohoo (Brazil) Universal Wrestling Corporation WPCH-TV from HBO Festival HBO Boxing Pay-Per-View HBO Defined (India) HBO Downtown Productions HBO en Español HBO España HBO Hits HBO Home Entertainment HBO Independent Productions HBO Latin America Group HBO Netherlands HBO Nordic HBO Now HBO NYC Productions HBO Portugal Red by HBO Take 2 Time Life Television fromDiscovery& Scripps All3MediaJV 3netJV 7food network Animal Planet Italy Canal 8 Sport Canal+ DiscoveryJV (Poland) Discovery Channel Radio Discovery Civilization Discovery Digital Networks Discovery Family (France) Discovery Geschichte Discovery Health Channel Discovery Home & Health Southeast Asia UK & Ireland Discovery Kids Australia Canada Southeast Asia United Kingdom Discovery Kids on NBC Discovery Networks CEEMEA Northern Europe Discovery People Discovery Real Time France UK and Ireland Discovery Shed Discovery Showcase HD Discovery Travel & Living Europe Discovery Turbo Asia Discovery Wings Discovery World Europe DKids Dplay Eurosport 360° Eurosport 2 Xtra Portugal Eurosport DK Eurosport News Eurosport Pluss (Norway) Fine Living Europe FitTV Focus Food Network New Zealand FYI Canada GB News (minority) Great American Country Good Food GolfTV GXT Joyn Quest Arabiya Ready Set Learn! SBS Radio Nordic Three (TV channel) Setanta Sports Asia VivoltaJV (France)
See also	AT&T Acquisition of Time Warner by AT&T Advance Publications

v t e Warner Bros. Discovery Global Linear Networks
Broadcasting and FAST streaming group	The CW (12.5%) The CW Plus Free TV Networks (33.3%)
Entertainment Group	Cartoon Network Adult Swim Toonami Cartoonito Boomerang Discovery Family (60%) Discovery Familia TBS TNT Turner Classic Movies TruTV Oprah Winfrey Network (95%)
Lifestyle & Factual Group	American Heroes Channel Animal Planet Cooking Channel (69%) Destination America Discovery Channel Discovery en Español Discovery Life Food Network (69%) HGTV Hogar de HGTV Investigation Discovery Science Channel TLC Travel Channel
Defunct andformer ventures	TimeWarner/WarnerMedia BET C4 Comedy Central Festival Four HBO Defined HBO en Español HBO Hits HBO Netherlands HBO Now HBO PPV/TVKO Take 2 HBO Home Entertainment ThreeLife TriStar Pictures Turner South Discovery, Inc. 3net Canal 8 Sport Discovery Civilization Discovery Family (France) Discovery Geschichte Discovery Health Channel Discovery People Discovery Shed Discovery Travel & Living (brand) Eurosport News FitTV Food Network NZ GXT Oh!K Quest Arabiya Setanta Sports Asia Vivolta (20%)