CTV Nature Channel

CTV Nature Channel was licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on December 14, 2000 as Discovery Civilization Channel Canada.[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2000/DB2000-553.htm Decision CRTC 2000-553]; CRTC; 2000-12-14 The application was granted to CTV Inc., and was later transferred to its subsidiary, CTV Specialty Television Inc., in which ESPN owns a 20% interest. The channel was originally described in regulatory documents as "a national English-language Category 2 specialty television service dedicated to bringing the diverse people and cultures of the world to Canadian viewers. The service will be dedicated to exploring and understanding the roots of human development and learning from other cultures and traditions."

The channel was launched on August 15, 2001 as Discovery Civilization Channel, with programming devoted to human civilization and history. The channel was intended to be a Canadian version of a U.S. channel of the same name, which was later reformatted and renamed as Discovery Times, and later became Investigation Discovery (a brand which would later launch in Canada via a rebranding of CourtTV Canada).

File:Discovery Science Canada 2011.PNG

On June 4, 2010 CTVglobemedia announced that Discovery Civilization Channel would be rebranded as Discovery Science on September 27, 2010, serving as a Canadian version of the U.S. network Science Channel.[http://www.ctvmedia.ca/discoveryscience/releases/release.asp?id=12620&yyyy=2010 Discovery to Launch Three New Channel Brands In Canada] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719081301/http://www.ctvmedia.ca/discoveryscience/releases/release.asp?id=12620&yyyy=2010 |date=July 19, 2011 }}, CTV press release, June 4, 2010

{{see also|2024 Canadian specialty television realignment}}

On June 10, 2024, Rogers Sports & Media announced it had reached an agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) for Canadian rights to its lifestyle brands beginning in January 2025, which were subsequently confirmed to include Discovery Science.{{cite web|url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/rogers-scoops-warner-bros-discovery-rights-from-corus/|title=Rogers scoops Warner Bros. Discovery rights from Corus and Bell|first=Connie|last=Thiessen|work=Broadcast Dialogue|date=June 10, 2024|access-date=June 10, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/06/10/rogers-licensing-deals-nbcuniversal-warner-bros-discovery/|title=Rogers announces licensing deals with NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery|work=CityNews.ca|date=June 10, 2024|access-date=June 10, 2024}} This led to a lawsuit by Bell, which claimed the move would violate previous non-compete clauses with WBD; the matter was settled out of court in October.{{cite web|url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/bell-files-injunction-against-rogers-in-warner-bros-discovery-content-battle/|title=Bell files injunction against Rogers in Warner Bros. Discovery content battle|first=Connie|last=Thiessen|work=Broadcast Dialogue|date=June 28, 2024|access-date=June 28, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Whittock |first=Jesse |date=2024-10-08 |title=Bell Expands Warner Bros Discovery Pact For HBO & Max Content And Ends Legal Action Over Rogers Deal |url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/bell-warner-bros-discovery-hbo-max-deal-expands-1236109976/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} Rogers announced that Science Channel content would move to its on-demand and streaming platforms including Citytv+, rather than a new linear channel.{{cite web|url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/rogers-outlines-plans-to-launch-new-channels/|title=Rogers outlines plans to launch new channels|first=Connie|last=Thiessen|work=Broadcast Dialogue|date=August 28, 2024|access-date=August 29, 2024}}

File:Discovery Science 2017 Logo.svg

On October 17, 2024, Bell Media announced the channel would rebrand as CTV Nature Channel on January 1, 2025. CTV Nature will take over much of Discovery's previous mandate within the Bell Media portfolio as it transitions to a general entertainment format under the USA Network brand, repurposing certain Canadian factual series previously commissioned by Bell, as well as other content related to science, nature, and history from third-party distributors.{{cite press release|url=https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/bell-media-brings-powerhouse-brands-usa-network-and-oxygen-true-crime-to-canada/|title=Bell Media Brings Powerhouse Brands USA Network and Oxygen True Crime to Canada|author=Bell Media|date=October 17, 2024|access-date=October 17, 2024}}

On June 17, 2011 Bell Media announced that it would launch Discovery Science HD, a high definition (HD) simulcast of the standard definition feed, by the end of 2011.[http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2011/16/c6859.html Discovery Channel and Bell Media Factual Networks Announce Fall 2011 "Must See" Highlights] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629071409/http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2011/16/c6859.html |date=June 29, 2011 }} CNW 2011-06-17 The channel was launched on December 15, 2011 on Bell Fibe TV and on September 11, 2012 on Telus Optik TV.[http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/896021/animal-planet-hd-investigation-discovery-hd-and-discovery-science-hd-launch-today Animal Planet HD, Investigation Discovery HD and Discovery Science HD Launch Today] Bell Media press release 2011-12-15 Shaw Direct began using it on August 8, 2018.

• Jamaica – distributed on Flow Cable systems.[https://web.archive.org/web/20071109162317/http://www.flowjamaica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=133 Flow Cable channel lineup]
• Bahamas – distributed on Cable Bahamas systems.[http://www.cablebahamas.com/television/digital/valuepackages/index.lasso?package=5df943797f5b9841&groupDisplay=0&chanDisplay=214#99 Cable Bahamas channel lineup] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819012141/http://www.cablebahamas.com/television/digital/valuepackages/index.lasso?package=5df943797f5b9841&groupDisplay=0&chanDisplay=214#99 |date=August 19, 2009 }}
• Trinidad and Tobago – distributed on Flow Cable systems.[http://www.flowtrinidad.com/watch/content.cfm?contentID=159C9C59-04D2-EA99-608064002265D6DC Flow Cable channel lineup] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616073152/http://www.flowtrinidad.com/watch/content.cfm?contentID=159C9C59-04D2-EA99-608064002265D6DC |date=June 16, 2008 }}
• Brazil – distributed on NET systems.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}}
• Chile – distributed on VTR Digital Cable systems.[http://vtr.com/productos/src/home/television/productos_television.php?full VTR Digital Cable channel lineup]
• Mexico – distributed on Cablevision

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.ctv.ca/discovery-science}}

{{Bell Media}}

{{ESPN}}

Category:Television channels and stations established in 2001

Category:Specialty television channels in Canada

Category:Bell Media networks

Canada

Category:English-language television stations in Canada

Category:2001 establishments in Canada