Motor Trend (TV network) explained

Motor Trend
Picture Format:1080i HDTV
Owner:TNT Sports
Parent:Motor Trend Group
Country:United States
Language:English
Headquarters:El Segundo, California
Online Serv 1:Affiliated Streaming Service
Online Chan 1:Max
Online Serv 2:Service(s)
Online Chan 2:FuboTV, Philo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, Vidgo

Motor Trend is an American automotive television network owned by Motor Trend Group, a subsidiary of the TNT Sports division of Warner Bros. Discovery. It primarily broadcasts automotive-themed programming, including motorsports events.

It was originally founded in 2002 as Discovery HD Theater (later HD Theater), the first 24/7 high-definition basic cable network. It featured high-definition programming from its other channels. Redundant after the introduction of high-definition simulcasts for Discovery's networks, it re-launched by Robert Scanlon, Dan Russell, Shaan Akbar, Douglas Lerner, Nicole Tong, David Lee and Kelly Mahoney in 2011 as Velocity—an "upscale male" network primarily featuring automotive programming. Following Discovery's acquisition of a majority stake in the magazine's publisher, it was announced that Velocity would rebrand as Motor Trend on November 23, 2018, as a brand extension of the automotive magazine Motor Trend.

, MT is available to approximately 65,000,000 pay television households in the United States-down from its 2017 peak of 74,000,000 households.[1]

History

The network launched nationwide in the United States on June 17, 2002, as Discovery HD Theater;[2] and was the first 24/7 basic cable HD network in the US.[3] The channel was rebranded to HD Theater on September 22, 2007. Programming included shows from Discovery sister networks, such as American Chopper and Animal Planet's Corwin's Quest, in addition to original programming such as Sunrise Earth (which featured footage of outdoor scenes with no narration),[4] and history-focused titles such as When Dinosaurs Roamed America and Before We Ruled the Earth.[5]

As Velocity

By 2011, as high definition feeds of mainstream networks had become more common, HD Theater no longer filled a unique niche.[6] On April 14, 2011, Discovery Communications announced that HD Theater would be re-launched as Velocity later in the year; the re-launch took place on October 4, 2011.[7] The network focused primarily on automotive-oriented programming and other shows of interest to an "upscale male" audience.[8] [9] [10]

As Motor Trend

On August 3, 2017, Discovery announced that it would contribute Velocity into a joint venture with the digital, live events, and direct-to-consumer businesses of automotive publisher . Discovery will hold a majority stake in the venture.[11]

In April 2018, it was announced that TEN had been renamed the Motor Trend Group, and that Velocity would rebrand to Motor Trend Network later in 2018. Co-branded with the automotive magazine Motor Trend, the rebranding is part of an effort by Discovery, following its acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive, to focus more on direct-to-consumer offerings targeting niche topics with "passionate" audiences. Motor Trend already operates the subscription video-on-demand service Motor Trend OnDemand, and had plotted out international expansion (including a British launch of Motor Trend OnDemand in the UK in December 2017, and a forthcoming over-the-air Motor Trend television channel in Italy.[12] [13] [14]

Velocity officially rebranded as Motor Trend on November 23, 2018.[15]

International versions

In Canada, Discovery Velocity launched on February 12, 2015. The channel was, originally, the Canadian version of Discovery HD Theater, and had been branded as Discovery World immediately prior.[16]

In some markets, Discovery operates similarly-themed channels known as Discovery Turbo (Asia-Pacific, Latin America, UK/Ireland), DTX (Europe, except UK/Ireland), and Motor Trend (Italy), which feature a similar focus on automotive-themed programs.

Programming

As Discovery HD Theater

As Velocity/Motor Trend

Event coverage

In 2015, Motor Trend (then known as Velocity) and Discovery Channel acquired the broadcast rights to Barrett-Jackson's automobile auctions, previously held by Fox Sports. Mike Joy, Chris Jacobs, and Ray Evernham host the Barrett-Jackson Live broadcasts on the two channels.[17]

In April 2018, it was announced that Discovery and Motor Trend Group had acquired the North American broadcast rights to the FIA World Endurance Championship, beginning with the 2018-19 "super season", also replacing Fox Sports. The first and last hours of most events are televised by Motor Trend (with the entire events streaming on Motor Trend digital platforms), and there is live flag-to-flag television coverage of the 1000 Miles of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans. The broadcasts are produced by Eurosport, Discovery's pan-European sports network.[18] [19]

Original

Acquired

Notes and References

  1. Web site: U.S. cable network households (universe), 1990 – 2023. wrestlenomics.com. May 14, 2024. July 28, 2019.
  2. Web site: Discovery to Launch HD Theater. Sherrard. Kevin. April 16, 2002. HDTV in Oklahoma.
  3. Web site: Cablevision News Releases & Press Releases Cablevision Cable TV. www.cablevision.com. 2016-05-15.
  4. News: The Sun Always Rises on HDTV. Mcknight. Jenna M.. 2006-10-15. The New York Times. 0362-4331. 2016-05-15.
  5. Web site: Discovery Communications, Inc. Launches Discovery HD Theater (TM), A New 24-Hour High-Definition Television Channel. Inc.. Discovery Communications. www.prnewswire.com. 2016-05-15.
  6. Web site: CHANGING CHANNELS: HI to H2, HDTheater to Velocity. www.tvworthwatching.com. 2016-05-15.
  7. Web site: TCA: Discovery Sets Launch Date For Velocity, Adds Big Names to 'Curiosity', Preps Science Channel's 'Trek Nation', Introduces 'Weed' Team. Richmond. Ray. July 29, 2011. Deadline Hollywood.
  8. Web site: Gorman. Bill. Discovery Communications Introduces Velocity — A Turbocharged Network For An Upscale Male Audience. https://web.archive.org/web/20170814022103/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/network-press-releases/discovery-communications-introduces-velocity-a-turbocharged-network-for-an-upscale-male-audience/. dead. August 14, 2017. TV by the Numbers. April 14, 2011.
  9. Web site: Discovery Launches Velocity Channel, Aimed at Rich Men. Adweek. D.M. Levine. April 18, 2011.
  10. Web site: Lawler. Richard. Discovery HD Theater is becoming Velocity, focuses on programming for 'upscale male audience'. Engadget. Apr 14, 2011.
  11. News: Discovery Communications Partners With TEN Network For Auto Portfolio. Evans. Greg. August 3, 2017. Deadline. September 18, 2017.
  12. News: Discovery Rebrands Velocity As Motor Trend Network. Petski. Denise. 2018-04-10. Deadline. 2018-04-20.
  13. News: Discovery Rebrands Velocity as Motor Trend Network (EXCLUSIVE). Littleton. Cynthia. 2018-04-10. Variety. 2018-04-20.
  14. News: Discovery Launches 'Motor Trend On Demand' in UK on Amazon Channels. Multichannel. 2018-04-20.
  15. News: Discovery's Velocity Network Sets Date For Motor Trend Rebrand. Hayes. Dade. 2018-11-13. Deadline. 2018-11-23.
  16. Web site: High Stakes Adventure, Precision Machines, Raw Power: Specialty Service Discovery Velocity Launches February 12. Press release. 20 January 2015.
  17. Web site: Discovery and Velocity Channels Name New 'Barrett-Jackson Live' On-Air Team (Exclusive Video). TheWrap.com. 19 December 2014 . 13 February 2015.
  18. News: World Endurance Championship inks new broadcast agreement with Velocity, Motor Trend. Autoweek. 2018-05-04.
  19. News: Velocity, Motor Trend Named New North America TV Partner. Sportscar365. 2018-05-04.
  20. MotorTrend Greenlights First Reality Competition Series "Bitchin' Boot Camp". Motor Trend. The Futon Critic. October 22, 2019.
  21. Web site: Scott. Jordon. Bitchin' Boot Camp Friday Watch Party!. Hot Rod. April 30, 2020. September 9, 2020. en.
  22. Web site: Bibel. Sara. 'Dallas Car Sharks' to Premiere Tuesday, July 23 on Velocity. https://web.archive.org/web/20130702114453/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/06/27/dallas-car-sharks-to-premiere-tuesday-july-23-on-velocity/189417/. dead. July 2, 2013. TV by the Numbers. June 27, 2013.
  23. Web site: MotorTrend TV Renews Three Most Watched Series - Bitchin' Rides, Iron Resurrection, and Texas Metal. 2020-08-11. 2021-07-09.
  24. Web site: Bibel. Sara. Documentary 'Miracle Ball' to Premiere Saturday, September 29 on Velocity. https://web.archive.org/web/20140504154218/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/09/07/documentary-miracle-ball-to-premiere-saturday-september-29-on-velocity/147807/. dead. May 4, 2014. TV by the Numbers. September 7, 2012.
  25. Web site: Patrick Dempsey Chases the World's Best Drivers and Past Racing Legends in 'Patrick Dempsey: Racing Le Mans' on Velocity. https://web.archive.org/web/20170814054953/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/press-releases/patrick-dempsey-chases-the-worlds-best-drivers-and-past-racing-legends-in-patrick-dempsey-racing-le-mans-on-velocity/. dead. August 14, 2017. TV by the Numbers. June 20, 2013.
  26. Web site: MotorTrend Taps Titmouse for First Animated Series 'Super Turbo Story Time'. Mercedes. Milligan. Animation Magazine. June 10, 2022.
  27. MotorTrend and BBC Studios Announce the Coproduction of a Brand-New U.S. Format of "Top Gear America" (wt) Series, and MotorTrend Will Be Streaming "Top Gear UK" in the U.S. and Canada!. Motor Trend. The Futon Critic. April 10, 2019.
  28. Web site: REVEALED! Meet the Hosts of Top Gear America. Motor Trend. December 3, 2019.
  29. Join the Joy Ride! "Top Gear America," Starring Dax Shepard, Rob Corddry and Jethro Bovingdon, Premieres January 29 on the MotorTrend App. Motor Trend. The Futon Critic. November 10, 2020.
  30. Web site: Kondolojy. Amanda. Velocity Launches Two Original Series Beginning in June. https://web.archive.org/web/20130818173302/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/06/04/velocity-launches-two-original-series-beginning-in-june/185820/. dead. August 18, 2013. TV by the Numbers. June 4, 2013.
  31. "Eurosport on Velocity" Brings the Best of Europe's Largest Sports Television Network to the United States for the First Time Ever. Velocity. The Futon Critic. September 16, 2013. September 20, 2013.
  32. Web site: Bibel. Sara. 'Wheeler Dealers: Trading Up' to Premiere July 10 on Velocity. https://web.archive.org/web/20131014013547/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/06/26/wheeler-dealers-trading-up-to-premiere-july-10-on-velocity/189166/. dead. October 14, 2013. TV by the Numbers. July 25, 2013. June 26, 2013.

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