Animal Planet (Dutch TV channel)

Animal Planet
CountryNetherlands
Broadcast area
NetworkDiscovery Benelux
Programming
Language(s)
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerWarner Bros. Discovery EMEA
Sister channels
History
Launched
  • 1 July 1997; 27 years ago (1997-07-01) (Pan-European version of Animal Planet)
  • 16 February 2004; 20 years ago (2004-02-16) (Dutch version of Animal Planet)
ReplacedAnimal Planet Europe (1997–2004)
Links
Websitedplay.nl/zenders/animal-planet
Availability
Streaming media
Ziggo GOZiggoGO.tv (Europe only)

Animal Planet is a Dutch pay television channel broadcasting nature-related documentaries in the Netherlands and Flanders. The channel launched as a Pan-European feed on 1 July 1997. It is operated by Discovery Benelux.

History

The Pan-European feed of Animal Planet launched on 1 July 1997 in the Benelux.[1] Initially Dutch subtitles would be added in late 1997.[2] Several programs had subtitles through teletext in January 1998.[3] A few months later on, the teletext subtitles were replaced by DVB subtitles.[4] A localised Dutch feed launched on 16 February 2004.[5]

For its first ten years in existence, the channel used a logo with a globe and an elephant which was also used by its sister channels. On 1 October 2008, the channel switched to a new logo, which had previously been adopted by the US version of the channel, in the United States.[6]

A European high-definition version of the channel, called Animal Planet HD, launched in the Nordic countries on 3 February 2009.[7] In the Netherlands, the high-definition version of the channel launched through Glashart Media on 19 March 2010.[8]

On 4 July 2011, Discovery Networks Benelux launched TLC for the female audience in the Netherlands. Until 1 October 2012, TLC aired between 6:00 pm and 2:00 am on the standard-definition version of Animal Planet, making this channel a time-sharing channel.[9] On 1 October 2012, TLC extended its broadcasting time from 3:00 pm until 2:00 am.[10] The HD simulcast of Animal Planet remains 24 hours.

TLC wasn't available in Belgium. Belgian viewers got the pan-European Animal Planet from then on, except for the satellite viewers. The Dutch feed was used by the Belgian provider of satellite television, TV Vlaanderen Digitaal. During the broadcasting time of TLC, Animal Planet blacked out due to television rights issues.[11]

As of 8 January 2013, Animal Planet SD became 24 hours again.[12]

Programming

References

  1. ^ "Discovery Communications Timeline". Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on 1 January 2009. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
  2. ^ "Animal Planet op EutelSat 2F1". Dutch Media E-zine. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Animal Planet start op Nederlandse kabel/Country FM gestart (sat-net.com.nl)".
  4. ^ "Discovery Channel met Nederlandse teletekst (sat-net.com.nl)".
  5. ^ "Nederlandse versie Animal Planet". Marco Derksen, Marketing Facts. 15 February 2004. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  6. ^ "New look for Animal Planet". bizcommunity.com. 17 September 2008. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016.
  7. ^ Julian Clover (12 January 2009). "Canal Digital debut for Animal Planet HD". Broadband TV News.
  8. ^ Robert Briel (19 March 2010). "Glashart Media expands HD line-up". Broadband TV News.
  9. ^ Robert Briel (4 July 2011). "Discovery: major launch for Dutch TLC". Broadband TV News.
  10. ^ Jan-Hein Visser (31 August 2012). "TLC breidt uit". Totaal TV.
  11. ^ Jarco Kriek (1 July 2011). "Nieuwe vrouwenzender TLC niet bij TV Vlaanderen". Totaal TV.
  12. ^ Kriek, Jarco (29 November 2012). "TLC gaat de hele dag uitzenden". Totaal TV. Retrieved 17 December 2012.