Discovery Channel is an American cable TV network, based in Silver Spring, MD, that has a variety of science programming, particularly documentaries and nature shows. Discovery Channel went on the air in 1984 and is owned by Discovery Communications, which also owns TLC (formerly The Learning Channel), Animal Planet, The Travel Channel, The Science Channel (formerly Discovery Science), BBC America (operated in association with the BBC), The Military Channel (formerly Discovery Wings), and FitTV . The Discovery Channel has added programming like American Chopper and Monster Garage that widens their initial scope.

Discovery Channel also has a multiplex of digital channels: Discovery Times (operated in association with The New York Times), Discovery Health, Discovery Home & Leisure , Discovery Kids, Discovery Civilization, and Discovery HD Theater (a high-definition TV channel).

Discovery Channel Radio is a channel on both of the major United States satellite radio services: XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. The programming consists of audio versions of popular programs from its multitude of TV channels.

In a number of countries Discovery channels are available on digital satellite platforms with multiple language soundtracks or subtitles (like Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Danish, Polish, Hungarian, and Romanian). For example, subscribers of Cyfra+ in Poland, at an extra $2 per month, can now switch between four Discovery channels with two language soundtracks: the original English or the native Polish soundtrack. In Bulgaria, Discovery has since 2001 - 2002 been displayed with Bulgarian subtitles by all cable providers.

Canadian viewers receive similar English-language programming to the channel that American viewers watch, but with content modified to suit the audience. Most notably, Discovery Channel Canada carries the daily science news show Daily Planet, originally @discovery.ca, the first of its kind.

Shortly before the 2004 Tour de France, the Discovery Channel company announced it would become the primary sponsor of now-six-time champion Lance Armstrong's cycling team (which is until then the US Postal team presented by Berry Floor) starting in 2005.

The Discovery Channel (in the USA) is now also available in a Spanish Language version.

Diversity

Discovery Communicatons was named one of the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers in 2004 by Working Mothers magazine.

See also

• List of Discovery Channel programs
• Discovery Channel Canada

External links

• Discovery Channel website
• Discovery Channel Canada