Discovery Velocity
 | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Programming | |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | (CTV Specialty Television Inc. (80%)) (Bell Media (56%) and ESPN Inc. (24%)) Warner Bros. Discovery (10%) |
| History | |
| Launched | December 19, 2005 |
| Former names | Discovery HD Theatre (2005-2009) Discovery HD (2009-2010) Discovery World HD (2010-2012) Discovery World (2012-2015) |
| Links | |
| Website | Discovery Velocity |
Discovery Velocity is a Canadian discretionary specialty channel owned by CTV Specialty Television, a joint venture of CTV Specialty Television Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery. It is a Canadian version of the U.S. channel formerly of the same name (now known as Motor Trend), and broadcasts factual and reality-style series related to automobiles and transportation (including series from Discovery's library).
History[edit]
Beginning in August 2003, CTV had operated a channel known as Discovery Channel HD, which served as a high-definition simulcast of the main Discovery Channel lineup, where applicable. In August 2005, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved an application for a new category 2 digital service, Discovery HD Theatre (based on the U.S. channel of the same name), covering many of the same genres as Discovery Channel, but with a separate lineup consisting exclusively of high definition programming.[1] Discovery HD Theatre replaced Discovery Channel HD on December 19, 2005. While maintaining the same format, the channel was renamed Discovery HD in 2009.
In June 2010, CTVglobemedia announced that it would launch three new Discovery-branded channels in Canada, among them included a re-branding of Discovery HD as Discovery World HD (later just Discovery World) on August 2, 2010, with a new lineup aiming to "showcase a beautiful and brilliant portrait of our world in vivid high definition".[2] A separate HD simulcast of Discovery Channel returned in June 2011.[3]
In January 2015, Bell Media announced that Discovery World would be re-branded as Discovery Velocity on February 12, 2015. It is a Canadian version of the U.S. channel Velocity—which was the current format of the network's original U.S. counterpart. With the re-branding, the network increased its focus on automotive-oriented series, although selected non-automotive programs from Discovery World were carried over.[4]
On June 10, 2024, Rogers Sports & Media announced it had reached an agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) for Canadian rights to its lifestyle brands beginning in January 2025. Although not mentioned in Rogers' press release, multiple media outlets, including Rogers-owned CityNews, reported that the affected brands include Discovery Channel and spinoffs such as Discovery Velocity, the existing Canadian versions of which were managed by Bell.[5][6]
Bell subsequently said in a statement that it would "assert [its] rights", citing protections it had previously negotiated against the launch of direct competitor channels.[7] On June 19, Bell filed for an injunction which, according to Rogers, would—if granted—prevent the latter from operating any linear TV channels under the brands previously operated by Bell for the first two years of its contract.[8]
See also[edit]
- Discovery Turbo
- Discovery HD (International)
References[edit]
- ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-519, CRTC, 21 October 2005
- ^ Discovery to Launch Three New Channel Brands In Canada Archived July 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Discovery Channel and Bell Media Factual Networks Announce Fall 2011 "Must See" Highlights Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine CNW 2011-06-17
- ^ "High Stakes Adventure, Precision Machines, Raw Power: Specialty Service Discovery Velocity Launches February 12". Press release. Retrieved 20 January 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Thiessen, Connie (June 10, 2024). "Rogers scoops Warner Bros. Discovery rights from Corus and Bell". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ "Rogers announces licensing deals with NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery". CityNews.ca. June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Faguy, Steve (June 10, 2024). "Rogers kneecaps Corus, stealing Canadian rights to HGTV and Food Network". Fagstein. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Thiessen, Connie (June 28, 2024). "Bell files injunction against Rogers in Warner Bros. Discovery content battle". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved June 28, 2024.