Science Channel(often simply branded asScience;abbreviated toSCI) is an Americanpay televisionchannel owned byWarner Bros. Discovery.[1]The channel features programming focusing on science related to wilderness survival,engineering,manufacturing,technology,space,space exploration,ufologyandprehistory.
As of November 2023[update],Science Channel is available to approximately 34,000,000 pay television households in the United States-down from its 2013 peak of 78,000,000 households. Along withAmerican Heroes Channel,Boomerang,Cooking Channel,Destination America,Discovery Family,andDiscovery Life,Science Channel is among the less prevalent networks of Warner Bros. Discovery.[2]
In recent years, Science Channel has lost carriage with the growth of streaming alternatives including its parent company'sMax,and has generally been depreciated by Warner Bros. Discovery in current retransmission consent negotiations with cable and streaming providers.
History
editIn November 1994, Discovery Networks announced plans for four digital channels set to launch in 1996. Discovery originally named the network under theworking titleQuark!;[3]this was changed before its launch to theDiscovery Science Network.Discovery Science launched in October 1996 as part of the simultaneous rollout of the new channel suite (alongsideDiscovery Home & Leisure,Discovery KidsandDiscovery Civilization).[4]In 2007, adult shows began airing around the clock weekdays, while younger children shows began airing around the clock weeknights.
The channel has undergone various rebrandings throughout its history. Its name was first modified to theDiscovery Science Channelin 1998, and then was renamedThe Science Channelin 2002, as the first network in the Discovery Networks digital suite to drop the "Discovery" brand from its name (however, international versions of the channel continue to use the "Discovery Science" name). The channel later shortened its name to justScience Channelin 2007 as part of a rebrand that included the introduction of a new logo based on theperiodic table;in 2011, the network rebranded as simplyScience,introducing a new logo and graphics package designed by Imaginary Forces.[5]In 2008, the channel changed its programming to adult-oriented, and removing all shows for elementary children.[6]
On December 23, 2016, Discovery Communications debuted a new logo for Science after five years. This rebrand was done by Sibling Rivalry, a New York–based design agency.
High definition
editThe channel launched ahigh-definitionsimulcast feed that broadcasts in1080i;it was launched on September 1, 2009, along withDiscovery ChannelHD,TLCHD andAnimal PlanetHD.
Programming
editScience Channel broadcasts a number of science-related television series originally produced by or aired on Discovery Channel, such asBeyond Tomorrow,among others. Discovery Communications has also produced a few programs specifically for Science, such asMegaScienceandWhat The Ancients Knew.Programs from other Discovery Networks channels,PBSand theBBCare either regularly or occasionally aired on the network. Television series produced in the 1990s, such asDiscover MagazineandUnderstanding,are carried on the network's weekday schedule. The Science Channel also broadcasts programs such asMoments of ImpactandAn Idiot Abroad.The channel has infrequently added reruns of several science fiction series likeFirefly,HelixandFringeto its schedule.
International
editThere are international versions of Science inSoutheast Asia,Europe, France, United Kingdom, Italy, India, Sweden, Turkey, Canada, Latin America and Australia. The channels are brandedDiscovery Scienceand do not broadcast all of the same shows as the US channel.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Warner Bros. Discovery US$43bn merger closes".Digital TV Europe.2022-04-11.Retrieved2022-05-05.
- ^"U.S. cable network households (universe), 1990 – 2023".wrestlenomics.com.May 14, 2024.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
- ^"Discovery plans launch of four newly created nets".Multichannel News. November 21, 1994. Archived fromthe originalon April 13, 2012.
- ^"Discovery channels energy into expansion".The Washington Post.October 28, 1996.
- ^Science Channel Rebranding As ScienceBroadcasting & CableApril 5, 2011
- ^[1]NewsFlash.comApril 3, 2008