Animal Planet (Indian TV channel) explained

Animal Planet
Launch Date:[1] [2] (HD)
Owner:Warner Bros. Discovery India
Headquarters:Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Country:India
Language:Hindi
English
Tamil
Sister Channels:See List of channels owned by Warner Bros. Discovery India
Picture Format:1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 576i for the SD feed)
Area:Indian subcontinent
Terr Serv 1:DVB-T2 (India)
Terr Chan 1:Check local frequencies
Availability Note:- Available on all major Indian DTH & Cables.
Online Serv 1:Discovery+
(India)
Online Chan 1:SD & HD
Online Serv 2:Jio TV
(India)
Online Chan 2:SD & HD
Online Serv 3:Amazon Prime Video
(India)
Online Chan 3:SD & HD

Animal Planet is an Indian pay television channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery India for the Indian subcontinent, launched on 29 March 1999 as the Indian version of the American counterpart. It is available in three languages including Hindi, English and Tamil. The Telugu Streaming is much awaited by fans who were waiting so Animal planet should consider this .The channel can be viewed on digital cable and satellite television in India. The channel is also available on its OTT services Discovery Plus.[3]

The channel launched on 29 March 1999.[4] The launch was delayed by a few months.[5] A Hindi language feed was introduced on 1 April 2008.[6] [7] The High Definition version was launched on 23 July 2014 along with TLC HD.[8]

History

On 3 February 2008, 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 criticised after it broadcast —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]

On 16 July 2019, a Tamil audio track was added

Programming

See main article: List of programs broadcast by Animal Planet. 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. 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 an American 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.[15]

On 29 October 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,[16] 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 12 February 2023,[17] 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 HD

Animal Planet HD
Owner:Warner Bros. Discovery India
Headquarters:Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Country:India
Language:Hindi
English
Tamil
Former Names:Animal Planet HD World
Sister Channels:See List of channels owned by Warner Bros. Discovery in India
Picture Format:1080i HDTV
Area:Indian subcontinent
Online Serv 1:Discovery+
(India)
Online Chan 1:SD & HD
Online Serv 2:Jio TV
(India)
Online Chan 2:SD & HD

Animal Planet HD (formerly Animal Planet HD World) is the HD time shift version of Animal Planet India operated by Warner Bros. Discovery for the Indian subcontinent, launched on 23 July 2023. The channel runs time shift to main channel. It is available in eight languages including Hindi, English, Tamil[18] [19] The channel can be viewed on digital cable and satellite television in India.[20] [21]

See also

Notes and References

  1. http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/factual-and-documentary/discovery-channel-to-complete-20-years-in-india-on-15-august-150814 The channel will air special 20 year celebration marathon on 15 and 16 August.... http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/factual-and-documentary/discovery-channel-to-complete-20-years-in-india-on-15-august-150814
  2. News: Animal Planet unchains gorilla warfare. 29 March 1999. Indian Express Newspapers.
  3. Web site: Discovery launches streaming app Discovery Plus at subscription fee of Rs 299 per annum. 2020-03-17. The Financial Express. en-US. 2020-03-26.
  4. News: Animal Planet unchains gorilla warfare. 29 March 1999. Indian Express Newspapers.
  5. News: ANIMAL PLANET MISSES LAUNCH DATE. 12 January 1999. The Indian CAB&SAT Reporter.
  6. News: Animal Planet launches 24-hour Hindi feed. 28 March 2008. Televisionpoint.com.
  7. News: Animal Planet to don new look from October 01. 16 September 2008. Televisionpoint.com.
  8. Web site: 2014-06-02 . Discovery launches three new channels . 2023-08-10 . afaqs!.
  9. News: Animal Planet presents new face to the world. PR Week. 16 January 2008. Brune. Adrian. 2 February 2008.
  10. Web site: Animal Planet Changes Its Stripes. Broadcasting & Cable. Becker. Anne. 14 January 2008. 2 February 2008.
  11. News: After Ratings Slip, Animal Planet Turns to Its Wilder Side. The New York Times. 14 January 2008. Stelter. Brian. 8 July 2012.
  12. News: Animal Planet's new tagline: 'Surprisingly Human'. Entertainment Week. 8 April 2010. Bierly. Mandi. 8 July 2012.
  13. Mermaids Embodies the Rotting Carcass of Science TV. Switek. Brian. Wired. 31 May 2012. 12 March 2018.
  14. Mermaid hoax drowns Animal Planet's ratings record. Hibberd. James. Entertainment Weekly. 28 May 2013. 12 March 2018.
  15. Web site: 'Just Fine as Tackles, but They Can't Pass . Ryzik. Melena. 2 February 2008. The New York Times.
  16. https://www.distractify.com/p/why-is-pitbulls-and-parolees-ending 'Pit Bulls and Parolees' Has Announced Final Season — But Why Is It Ending?
  17. https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/meet-the-players-of-puppy-bowl-xix- Meet the Players of Puppy Bowl XIX
  18. Web site: Discovery Networks goes full throttle; launches Discovery Channel Tamil. www.afaqs.com. en. 2018-02-13.
  19. Web site: Discovery becomes first channel to support all South Indian languages. 12 August 2019.
  20. Web site: Bureau . Adgully . 2015-11-09 . TLC HD World & Animal Planet HD World now available on Tata Sky! . 2023-10-10 . www.adgully.com . en-US.
  21. Web site: Indian Television . 2014-08-01 . Discovery Communications launches ID, TLC HD and Animal Planet HD World . 2023-10-10 . www.indiantelevision.com . en.