Velocity (TV network)

Velocity
Launched June 17, 2002 (2002-06-17)
(as Discovery HD Theater)
Owned by Discovery Communications
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
Country United States
Language English
Headquarters Silver Spring, Maryland
Formerly called Discovery HD Theater
(2002–2007)
HD Theater
(2007–2011)
Sister channel(s) Discovery Channel
American Heroes Channel
Destination America
Website Velocity.com
Availability
Satellite
DirecTV (US) Channel 281 (HD)
DirecTV
(Latin America)		 Channel 773 (SD) 1005
Dish Network
(United States)		 Channel 246
Dish Network Mexico Channel 950
C Band AMC 11 - Channel 617 (4DTV Digital)
Claro TV Digital
(Colombia)		 Channel 1302 (as Discovery HD Theater)
Cable
Cox Channel 740
Verizon FiOS Channel 631
Comcast Varies
IPTV
AT&T Uverse Channel 1104
Streaming media
PlayStation Vue Internet Protocol television

Velocity (formerly HD Theater and originally Discovery HD Theater) is an American high-definition, commercial-based, cable and satellite television network owned by Discovery Communications. The network specializes in nonfiction programming, focusing on cars, and also sports (particularly motorsports), leisure, and other topics targeted at men ages 18 to 54.

As of February 2015, approximately 62.3 million American households (53.5% of households with television) receive Velocity.[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, when Discovery Communications launched HD simulcasts of several sister networks including Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Science and TLC. 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 ambient background visuals of the outdoors without narration or storytelling,[4] and history-focused titles such as When Dinosaurs Ruled America and Before We Ruled the Earth.[5]

Rebranding

With the proliferation of HD simulcast channels, by 2011 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; and the re-launch took place on October 4, 2011.[7] Aimed primarily at an "upscale male" audience, the network focuses primarily on automotive-oriented programming and other shows of interest to a primarily male audience.[8][9][10] The network also partnered with the NFL for the original launch series NFL Single Coverage and Greatest NFL Rivalries.[11]

International versions

A Canadian version of Velocity, known as Discovery Velocity, launched on February 12, 2015, replacing Discovery World. The channel was, originally, the Canadian version of Velocity's original U.S. incarnation as Discovery HD Theater.[12]

Programming

Original

Acquired

Upcoming

References

  1. ↑ Seidman, Robert (February 22, 2015). "List of how many homes each cable network is in as of February 2015". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  2. ↑ Sherrard, Kevin (April 16, 2002). "Discovery to Launch HD Theater". HDTV in Oklahoma.
  3. ↑ "Cablevision News Releases & Press Releases | Cablevision Cable TV". www.cablevision.com. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
  4. ↑ Mcknight, Jenna M. (2006-10-15). "The Sun Always Rises on HDTV". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
  5. ↑ Inc., Discovery Communications,. "Discovery Communications, Inc. Launches Discovery HD Theater (TM), A New 24-Hour High-Definition Television Channel". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
  6. ↑ "CHANGING CHANNELS: HI to H2, HDTheater to Velocity". www.tvworthwatching.com. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
  7. ↑ Richmond, Ray (July 29, 2011). "TCA: Discovery Sets Launch Date For Velocity, Adds Big Names to 'Curiosity', Preps Science Channel's 'Trek Nation', Introduces 'Weed' Team". Deadline Hollywood.
  8. ↑ Gorman, Bill (April 14, 2011). "Discovery Communications Introduces Velocity — A Turbocharged Network For An Upscale Male Audience". TV by the Numbers.
  9. ↑ D.M. Levine (April 18, 2011). "Discovery Launches Velocity Channel, Aimed at Rich Men". Adweek.
  10. ↑ Lawler, Richard (Apr 14, 2011). "Discovery HD Theater is becoming Velocity, focuses on programming for 'upscale male audience'". Engadget.
  11. ↑ "NFL Communications - Page not found «". Retrieved 2016-05-15.
  12. ↑ "High Stakes Adventure, Precision Machines, Raw Power: Specialty Service Discovery Velocity Launches February 12". Press release. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  13. ↑ Bibel, Sara (June 27, 2013). "'Dallas Car Sharks' to Premiere Tuesday, July 23 on Velocity". TV by the Numbers.
  14. 1 2 Kondolojy, Amanda (June 4, 2013). "Velocity Launches Two Original Series Beginning in June". TV by the Numbers.
  15. ↑ Bibel, Sara (September 7, 2012). "Documentary 'Miracle Ball' to Premiere Saturday, September 29 on Velocity". TV by the Numbers.
  16. ↑ Bibel, Sara (July 25, 2013). "'Patrick Dempsey: Racing Le Mans' to Premiere Wednesday, August 28 on Velocity". TV by the Numbers.
  17. ↑ ""Eurosport on Velocity" Brings the Best of Europe's Largest Sports Television Network to the United States for the First Time Ever". The Futon Critic (Press release). September 16, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  18. ↑ http://www.velocity.com/tv-shows/barrett-jackson
  19. ↑ Bibel, Sara (June 26, 2013). "'Wheeler Dealers: Trading Up' to Premiere July 10 on Velocity". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 25, 2013.

See also

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/5/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.