Discovery Channel (Russian TV channel)

Discovery Channel
Broadcast areaRussia
Commonwealth of Independent States
Georgia
Programming
Language(s)Russian, English
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 576i for the SD feed)
Ownership
OwnerWarner Bros. Discovery EMEA
History
ClosedMarch 9, 2022 (2022-03-09) (in Russia)
Links
Websitediscoverychannel.ru

Discovery Channel (often referred to as simply Discovery) was a television channel which broadcasts to Russia and all of the CIS countries.

According to viewing research, Discovery had the second largest reach of all non-terrestrial television channels in the beginning of 2009; only the news channel RBC TV was more popular.[1]

In late 2007, Discovery switched to the ABS 1 satellite, meaning it would extend its reach eastwards and be accessible in all of Russia, as well as several countries in Central Asia.[2][3] Advertising sales started soon thereafter, on December 1, 2007.[4] Discovery's ad sales in Russia were handled by a company called Video International.[5]

Until 2006, Discovery was represented in Russia and the CIS countries by Zone Vision. This partnership ended when Discovery changed their representative to Media Broadcasting Group Limited.[6][7] MBG became responsible for the distribution of all seven Discovery channels in Russia, while Discovery contemplated opening an office of their own in Moscow.[8]

Discovery halted all broadcasts of its 15 linear channels to Russia through the Media Alliance partnership on March 9, 2022, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[9]

  1. ^ "Discovery Networks подтвердила свое лидертсво на рынке неэфирных каналов в России". Media Online. April 15, 2009. Archived from the original on May 28, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
  2. ^ "Discovery Channel переходит на спутник LMI / ABS". Media Online. November 12, 2007. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
  3. ^ "Канал Discovery Channel –на новом спутнике". MBG. October 29, 2007. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
  4. ^ "От Discovery к "Дискавери"". Broadcasting. November 12, 2007. Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
  5. ^ "Video International and Discovery Networks EMEA Agree To Conclude Contract". Video International. November 6, 2007. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
  6. ^ "DISCOVERY NETWORKS EUROPE назначает MBG своим представителем в России и странах СНГ". Archived from the original on 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2009-10-24.
  7. ^ "Discovery нашел нового продавца". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-10-24.
  8. ^ "Discovery открывает Россию". Media Online. September 23, 2008. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
  9. ^ Ravindran, Manori (March 9, 2022). "Discovery Suspends Operations in Russia Amid War on Ukraine, 15 Channels Will Go Off Air". Variety. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.