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Hulu Live TV adds a few channels from Discovery
Starting today, Hulu Live TV subscribers will have access to Discovery networks. The channels, spread across a variety of packages available on the live streaming service, include Discovery, TLC, MotorTrend, Animal Planet and Investigation Discovery (ID). The prices on the bundles featuring the new channels won't change.
Discovery and Google team up on globe-spanning VR travel series
Discovery is partnering with Google on a virtual reality travel series that spans all seven continents. The 38-episode experience explores the rituals and traditions of cultures in North and South America, Asia, Australia, Africa, Antartica, and Europe. Emmy award-winner Sascha Unseld, who also directed Oculus Story Studio's Dear Angelica VR short, served as creative producer on the series. You can take in Discovery TRVLR for yourself starting tomorrow using Google's Daydream headset (or Google Cardboard). The show will be viewable on YouTube, DiscoveryVR.com, and on the Discovery VR app.
WSJ: Discovery, AMC and Viacom try a sports-free streaming bundle
The already crowded field of "skinny bundles" will soon feature another service vying for your attention (and wallet). As The Wall Street Journal reports, a host of broadcast networks are reportedly soft launching a new streaming platform stocked with their entertainment channels. Discovery Communications, Viacom Inc., A+E Networks, AMC Networks, and Scripps Networks Interactive will all be part of the service. But, the likes of ESPN and Fox Sports won't. That's because the new offering, dubbed 'Philo', will be a sports-free zone.
Discovery acquires HGTV parent company in $14.6 billion TV deal
Discovery Communications is acquiring Scripps Networks Interactive in a $14.6 billion deal announced today. Once finalized, Discovery will produce around 8,000 hours of original programming yearly and 7 billion short-form video streams monthly. It will also control approximately 20 percent of ad-supported, pay-TV audiences in the US and host eight of viewers' top 10 favorite channels.
Animal Planet offers a look at the Puppy Bowl in VR (updated)
There's something that folks look forward to about the Super Bowl every year besides the commercials. It's the Puppy Bowl. And this year, Animal Planet is stepping things up a notch with VR ahead of the big game. Before the action takes place on February 7th, you'll be able to stream event-related content in 360-video on your favorite headset through the network's website, YouTube, Samsung Milk app or Discovery's own VR apps for iOS and Android. If you're not familiar, the Puppy Bowl features 84 dogs from rescues all over the US. No, it's not an actual football game played by dogs. The canines roam around a faux stadium and play during the event. However, that doesn't take away from the adorable factor, which is always on point. [Image credit: Mark Von Holden/AP Images for Discovery Communications]
TVPlayer app streams 25 UK pay-TV channels for a fiver a month
For a long time, "premium" TV channels were locked behind expensive satellite and cable subscriptions in the UK. If you wanted to watch National Geographic, for instance, you had to pay a little extra for a special channel pack. But viewers want choice, flexibility and cheaper prices, which has forced TV operators to start "unbundling" their most precious channels and shows. It's a positive trend, but many channels are still difficult to find as part of cheaper, standalone monthly subscriptions. Now, this is where TVPlayer comes in. The company already offers free streaming for free-to-air (Freeview) channels, and now it's preparing a paid "Plus" package: for £5 per month, you'll be able to stream 25 pay-TV channels including National Geographic, History and the Discovery Channel.
Five fact-filled apps for Shark Week
It's Shark Week -- that time of the year when sharks take center stage on the Discovery Channel and beyond. This year's shows have been marred by the Megalodon controversy, but that doesn't mean you still can't enjoy learning about the shark species. Below you will find five shark-related apps to supplement your knowledge of the finned fish. Discovery Kids Sharks [iPad; Category: Education; $4.99] A fact-filled app from Discovery that teaches children about sharks. The app also includes interactive games and digital trading cards. Expedition White Shark for iPad [iPad; Category: Education; $3.99] Expedition White Shark allows you to receive near real time Great White Shark tracking data thanks to the scientists at the Marine Conservation Science Institute (MCSI). Data is collected from tagged sharks when they surface and are relayed via satellite to MCSI. Discovery Kids Readers: Sharks [iOS Universal; Category: Books; $1.99] Discovery Kids Readers: Sharks brings sharks to the little ones in your household. The book includes vivid photographs, fun facts and a quiz. Targeted for children 4 to 8 years old. Shark Net - Predators of the Blue Serengeti [iPhone; Category: Education; Free] Another shark-tracking app that allows you to follow sharks as they migrate off the coast of California. Data is compiled from the collaborative shark research of Stanford University scientists and the GTOPP -- the Global Tagging of Pacific Predators project. Learn Sharks Now! [iOS Universal; Category: Education; Free] Learn Sharks Now! includes 30 shark cards with pictures and facts about our this fish. A quiz mode will test your knowledge of the shark. And one bonus app for you gamers out there! Hungry Shark Evolution [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Free] Play as a shark and feed on sea creatures, swimmers and fisherman. Eat and grow from a pup into a full-grown Great White Shark.
Discovery launches trio of TV streaming apps for Windows Phone
Windows Phone 8 users whose TV habits revolve around MythBusters, Cake Boss and cute pets are in luck: Discovery has just posted three apps for their platform of choice. The new Animal Planet, Discovery Channel and TLC releases share the same basic template, letting fans check show schedules and stream either brief clips or a smattering of full-length episodes. All of the apps support Windows Phone's live tiles, voice commands and calendar reminders, although they're otherwise simple; they lack the second screen features we've seen in iOS versions. If you're just hoping to watch some Auction Kings on the bus, however, you can get your fix through the Windows Phone store today.
Discovery, TLC iPad apps add second-screen feature
Discovery Communications, parent company of the cable channels Discovery and TLC, has released updates to the Discovery Channel HD and TLC for iPad and iPhone apps that now offer second-screen features on the iPad side. The second-screen feature is branded as Discovery Plus and TLC Plus and offers "an interactive second-screen experience, synced live to your favorite shows! Fully integrated into the app, simply tune in during a TLC/Discovery Plus-enabled show and sit back for exclusive factoids, photos and more! Or play a previously aired Plus-enabled show on your DVR, and sync to view the experience on your own schedule," according to the app descriptions. Discovery Communications does note that not all of its shows are Plus-enabled yet. Also, the Plus features are only available on the iPad, though the company does plan to add them to the iPhone version of the apps soon. Discovery Channel HD and TLC for iPad and iPhone are free downloads.
James Cameron to create sparks with Robogeddon on Discovery Channel
Fresh off his return from the briny deep, James Cameron is set to create a television show for the Discovery Channel called Robogeddon. Similar to BattleBots and Robot Wars, the program will feature a competitive death match of sorts, where robots tear each other to shreds in pursuit of being the last machine standing. In addition to Cameron's participation, the show will also feature the stamp of Mark Burnett -- famous for such reality television titles as Survivor, Shark Tank and The Voice. It's also said that Donald Hutson, the two-time Super Heavyweight Champion of BattleBots, will be among the show's competitors. No date is set for when we'll see the sparks fly, but if you want to get in on the ground floor, might we suggest hitting your local scrapyard?
Discovery shows hit Amazon Prime Instant Video, because it's 'Dirty Jobs,' but someone has to stream it
Amazon today announced a deal that will bring a slew of content from Discovery Communications to its ever increasing selection of streamable Prime videos. The partnership includes content from such properties as the Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet, amongst a handful of others, with shows like Dirty Jobs and Whale Wars coming along for the ride. At present, the total selection of videos on the service is up to more than 17,000 titles, which can be viewed for free by Amazon Prime members in the US. Press info can be found after the break.
TWCable TV iPad app updated with a few more channels, brings back Discovery
Time Warner has added several new cable channels to its TWCable TV iPad app, including Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, which were two of the channels yanked after broadcasters complained. we don't know if they've worked out an agreement over the matter, but viewers can now enjoy those two as well as TLC, Sundance, Lifetime, Military History and Wedding Central on their tablets. Check out the TWCableUntangled blog for the official word, we'll wait and see if Viacom or Fox budge next.
Discovery's next epic series Life airs March 21 on seven networks, June 1 on Blu-ray
We've been waiting for the next Planet Earth for quite some time, and the latest contender to the throne is Life. An 11-part series devoted to exploring "the adaptability and diversity of life on Earth" each episode focuses on a different form of life, and of course, does it all in HD. The first two hours will air on Discovery Channel HD; TLC HD; Animal Planet HD; Science Channel HD; Investigation Discovery HD; and Planet Green HD, March 21 at 8 p.m., with two hour installments following each Sunday at 8 only on Discovery Channel HD. Check the video previews embedded after the break for more info on all the new camera technology used to make this series even more beautiful to look at than the last -- but hide your credit card first, the Blu-ray release June 1 is already available for preorders and imagining all that super slow-mo footage in 1080p is definitely too tantalizing for the weak-willed among us.
Discovery Communications patents e-book reader, why not?
Let's face it, at this point everyone is looking to get in on the e-book reader action. Back in February, broadcast television group Discovery Communication -- known for BBC America, Travel Channel, TLC, and Discovery Channel, naturally -- filed a patent for its own digital book reader back in February that's now surfacing online. There isn't a lot of concrete detail here, other than it runs the gamut of possible distribution options, including public libraries à la Sony's Daily Edition. In the picture above we've got hints of Cos News Services and US News and World Report, but that could very likely just be filler for the filing. It won't be nothing without partners, but if Discovery's serious, we're sure they've got a few phone numbers to call up and try to make a deal with. [Via Baltimore Sun; thanks, Tom]
Discovery kicking off continent-by-continent followup to Planet Earth with Wild Planet: North America
Having nabbed the former head of the BBC's Natural History Unit, Discovery has designs on its own epic globe trotting series promising to "capture the world, continent by continent in high definition, as its never been seen before." Naturally planned to debut first on Discovery's networks, as opposed to its partnership with BBC on Planet Earth, Wild Planet: North America will be the first of seven installments and start filming this fall. Expect HD cams to visit even more extreme locations, and all manner of wildlife to be snapped by the thousand lenses of myriad high speed cameras. We're ready. [Warning: PDF read link][Via Reuters]
'Frozen Planet' due out before Hell freezes over
The enduring popularity of "Planet Earth" is compelling enough to its backers to convince them to go back to the well. The Discovery Channel and BBC's Natural History Unit are teaming up again to cover the poles of the Earth in "Frozen Planet." HD content captured from the Arctic and Antarctic? Sign us up! You've got plenty of time to continue enjoying that HDM copy of Planet Earth, though -- the new feature is not set to air until 2012. Yeah, that hurts, but quality takes time, friends. The real question is what HDM format this feature will emerge on (if any still exist); this is one title we'll be putting in our library wishlist.
Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm trailer could save a life
You're probably wondering why we decided to post this particular video for Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm. After all, there's only a few seconds of gameplay at the end of the trailer, following a puzzling interview with Sig Hansen, captain of the crustacean-hunting vessel Northwestern. Have we developed a penchant for haggard seafarers? Are we considering casting off our ties to the soil in search of clawed gold? No -- we've taken the time to post this video as something of a public service.Did you know that being swept into the ocean is the third largest cause of death in the United States, ranking right below laser tag accidents and, of course, cougars? It's sad, but true -- we urge you to watch the video above, then make your loved ones watch it. Before you set out on your next lengthy voyage, go over your procedure to reclaim your overboard man from the unforgiving jaws of Davy Jones' locker. With a bit of preparation, every oceanic excursion can be a safe oceanic excursion. Unless, somehow, a cougar gets on the boat, in which case, God help you.
Discovery Channel offers rock bottom prices on HD DVDs
Not like this comes as any surprise whatsoever, but the latest to jump on the HD DVD fire sale wagon is Discovery Channel. As of now, the firm is offering up its famed Planet Earth, Sunrise Earth and Discovery Atlas titles with massive discounts attached (some flicks are as low as $9.99), but alas, all sales are inevitably final. Still, $29.99 for the Planet Earth HD DVD set could be reason enough to keep that unsupported player around.[Via John B.]
Verizon fesses up, officially adds Discovery HD to FiOS
Just yesterday we noticed that Verizon had quietly slipped Discovery Channel HD onto its FiOS TV lineup in at least three major markets, and today the firm has fessed up and proven that we're not just losing our minds. "Starting" today, VZW has added Discovery HD to FiOS TV "in all markets" on channel 846, and just in case that wasn't riveting enough, it also reaffirmed its plan to deliver HD simulcasts of Discovery Communications' other popular networks -- TLC, Animal Planet and The Science Channel -- sometime in 2008. The more the merrier, we say.
Future Weapons to feature Halo 3 tonight
We'll admit that we haven't always been super kind to Halo 3 marketing efforts, but we think this is one we could get behind. Future Weapons, the perfect show for nerds who wish they had the muscle mass to join the army, will be profiling what appears from this ad to be weaponry similar to that of Halo on the episode airing tonight at 8 p.m. on The Discovery Channel. We're not sure exactly what the episode will feature, but we know it'd have to be better than a soda that is in no way Halo related. (Though, admittedly, it is still citrusy and delicious.) Besides, remember when Discovery Channel bought you those Gears maps? Don't you owe them one?(P.S. Sorry that the commercial is a bit truncated. It's the best we could find.)
