| Discovery Deutschland GmbH | |
| Trade Name: | Warner Bros. Discovery Deutschland |
| Type: | Subsidiary |
| Foundation: | 1996 |
| Former Names: | Discovery Communications Deutschland (1996-2001) Discovery Networks Deutschland (2001-2022) |
| Location: | Munich, Germany |
| Key People: | Magnus Kastner |
| Area Served: | Germany, Austria and Switzerland |
| Parent: | Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA |
Warner Bros Discovery Deutschland[1] is a branch of Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA holding responsibility for overseeing Warner Bros. Discovery brands in Germany, Austria and German-speaking parts of Switzerland. Warner Bros. Discovery Deutschland's key operations are the free-to-air DMAX, Tele 5, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery HD. Previously, Discovery Networks Deutschland operated Discovery Geschichte a channel based on historical events.
Like other Discovery channels in Europe. Discovery Networks Deutschland utilize existing productions from Discovery Networks Europe and Discovery Communications.
In 2007, Discovery Networks Europe decided to localize its networks across Europe. This resulted in the establishment of Discovery Discovery Networks Deutschland, Discovery Networks Benelux, Discovery Networks Nordic, Discovery Networks UK & Ireland and Discovery Networks Italia and Discovery Networks EMEA (which served all other territories).[2] [3] As of 2011, operations in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, France and Flanders are operated by Discovery Networks Western Europe.[4] All other operations in Europe are operated by Discovery Networks CEEMEA in Warsaw.[5]
In early 2011, Discovery International restructured its operations in Europe. In February 2011, it established two key branches which resulted in the amalgamation of its localized networks in Europe.
DMAX is a men's lifestyle channel operated by Discovery Networks Deutschland free-to-air in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Though the channel is widely available throughout the rest of Europe, it is seen as the only free-to-air mainstream channel with a focus on non-fiction entertainment, unique in German media.
With the success of the German-speaking DMAX a separate channel was launched for the UK and Ireland markets on 22 November 2007.
The channel also features many of Discovery Communications global programs, including:
| Discovery Channel (German) | |
| Launch Date: | August 26, 1996 |
| Owner: | Discovery Networks Europe |
| Country: | Germany, Austria |
| Language: | German |
Discovery Channel is the German version of the Discovery Channel. It is operated by Discovery Networks Deutschland, which is located in Munich.
It was launched on August 26, 1996 on the DF1 satellite platform. Back then, the channel was a joint-venture between Kirch Media and Discovery Communications. After DF1 merged with Premiere World in 1999, it remained on the new Premiere platform.
Kirch Media went bankrupt in 2002 and Discovery Communications subsequently became the sole owner of the channel.
The channel was later joined by sister channel with the launch on Animal Planet in 2004, Discovery Geschichte in 2005 and Discovery HD in 2006.
Discovery Channel was exclusively available through Premiere until 2009, when a new agreement was entered between Premiere and Discovery. The new contract allows the Discovery Channel to broadcast from other providers from July 1 and means that Animal Planet and Discovery Geschichte would disappear from Premiere.[6]
See main article: Animal Planet Germany. Animal Planet Germany is a television channel broadcasting programmes about animals, nature and wildlife to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
An agreement to launch the channel exclusively on the Premiere platform was signed by Discovery Networks Deutschland and Premiere in October 2003.[7] The channel launched at 9 p.m. och March 31, 2004.[8] The new Animal Planet logo was adopted in November 2008.[9]
On June 30, 2009, the channel will disappear from the Premiere platform and be replaced by its competitor Nat Geo Wild. This was the result of a new contract between Premiere and Discovery Networks in anticipation of Premiere's relaunch as Sky Deutschland in July.[10] With the new contract the channel will be able to launch on other platforms. It will be available from cable provider Unitymedia's digital cable network from July 1.[6] [11]