Post by Skaggs on Apr 14, 2011 6:55:19 GMT -5
Discovery to Dump HD Theater
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (April 14, 2011) -- This is a sad day for consumers who bought High-Definition TVs before they were cool. Discovery has announced that it's replacing Discovery HD Theater with a new channel called Velocity designed to appeal to wealthy men.
Basic cable conglomerates switch channels all the time -- Discovery, in fact, earlier this year replaced Discovery Health with OWN, Oprah Winfrey's new network.
However, Discovery HD Theater, which launched in June 2002, was the channel of choice for many early HD owners. The channel was one of the few available in high-def in the first few years of the decade and HD owners immediately embrace its cinematic visual style. Sunrise Earth, a documentary series that chronicled life at the break of dawn in peaceful, beautiful settings, was a particular favorite.
However, Sunrise Earth was tossed from Discovery's lineup some time ago and now HD Theater itself will bite the dust officially on September 25. (Discovery HD Theater changed its name to HD Theater in 2007.)
David Zaslav, the Discovery CEO who has transformed his company from an educational-oriented programmer to one that features reality shows about large families and the obese, says Velocity will target viewers with incomes of $150,000 or more, according to the Associated Press. Oddly, that used to be the audience for Discovery HD Theater; only the wealthy could afford expensive HDTVs in the early years.
"We just felt like this was a space missing in the marketplace," said Zaslav.
Velocity's lineup will include such shows as Chasing Classic Cars, Cafe Racer and Mecum Auto Auctions.
"Culturally, cars are so important for us guys in America," Zaslav told AP. "We grew up dreaming about what the day would be like when we got our licenses and what cars we would drive."
But now, alas, Discovery HD Theater will drive into the sunset.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (April 14, 2011) -- This is a sad day for consumers who bought High-Definition TVs before they were cool. Discovery has announced that it's replacing Discovery HD Theater with a new channel called Velocity designed to appeal to wealthy men.
Basic cable conglomerates switch channels all the time -- Discovery, in fact, earlier this year replaced Discovery Health with OWN, Oprah Winfrey's new network.
However, Discovery HD Theater, which launched in June 2002, was the channel of choice for many early HD owners. The channel was one of the few available in high-def in the first few years of the decade and HD owners immediately embrace its cinematic visual style. Sunrise Earth, a documentary series that chronicled life at the break of dawn in peaceful, beautiful settings, was a particular favorite.
However, Sunrise Earth was tossed from Discovery's lineup some time ago and now HD Theater itself will bite the dust officially on September 25. (Discovery HD Theater changed its name to HD Theater in 2007.)
David Zaslav, the Discovery CEO who has transformed his company from an educational-oriented programmer to one that features reality shows about large families and the obese, says Velocity will target viewers with incomes of $150,000 or more, according to the Associated Press. Oddly, that used to be the audience for Discovery HD Theater; only the wealthy could afford expensive HDTVs in the early years.
"We just felt like this was a space missing in the marketplace," said Zaslav.
Velocity's lineup will include such shows as Chasing Classic Cars, Cafe Racer and Mecum Auto Auctions.
"Culturally, cars are so important for us guys in America," Zaslav told AP. "We grew up dreaming about what the day would be like when we got our licenses and what cars we would drive."
But now, alas, Discovery HD Theater will drive into the sunset.
