Velocity is an American pay television network. Owned by Motor Trend Group, a venture of Discovery, Inc. and Source Interlink, Velocity primarily broadcasts automotive-themed programming and motorsports events, and is officially targeted towards an "upscale male" audience.
It was originally founded in 2002 as Discovery HD Theater (later HD Theater), the first 24/7 high definition basic cable network. It featured high-definition programming from its sister channels (including Discovery Channel), as well as other original programs designed to showcase the high-definition format. As its original purpose grew redundant after the introduction of high-definition simulcasts for Discovery's networks, it re-launched in 2011 as Velocity. The channel will re-brand as Motor Trend Network later in 2018, as a brand extension of the automotive magazine Motor Trend.
As of February 2015, approximately 62.3 million American households (53.5% of households with television) receive Velocity.
Video Velocity (TV network)
History
The network launched nationwide in the United States on June 17, 2002, as Discovery HD Theater; and was the first 24/7 basic cable HD network in the US. The channel was rebranded to HD Theater on September 22, 2007, when Discovery Communications launched HD simulcasts of several sister networks including Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Science and TLC. Programming included shows from Discovery sister networks, such as American Chopper and Animal Planet's Corwin's Quest, in addition to original programming such as Sunrise Earth (which featured footage of outdoor scenes with no narration), and history-focused titles such as When Dinosaurs Roamed America and Before We Ruled the Earth.
As Velocity
By 2011, as high definition feeds of mainstream networks had become more common, HD Theater no longer filled a unique niche. On April 14, 2011, Discovery Communications announced that HD Theater would be re-launched as Velocity later in the year; and the re-launch took place on October 4, 2011. Aimed primarily at an "upscale male" audience, the network focuses primarily on automotive-oriented programming and other shows of interest to a primarily male audience.
As Motor Trend Network
On August 3, 2017, Discovery announced that it would contribute Velocity into a joint venture with the digital, live events, and direct-to-consumer businesses of automotive publisher TEN: The Enthusiast Network. Discovery will hold a majority stake in the venture.
In April 2018, it was announced that TEN had been renamed the Motor Trend Group, and that Velocity will be renamed Motor Trend Network later in 2018. Co-branded with the automotive magazine Motor Trend, the rebranding is part of an effort by Discovery, following its acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive, to focus more on direct-to-consumer offerings targeting niche topics with "passionate" audiences. Motor Trend already operates the subscription video-on-demand service Motor Trend OnDemand, and had plotted out international expansion (including a British launch of Motor Trend OnDemand in the UK in December 2017, and a forthcoming over-the-air Motor Trend television channel in Italy).
Maps Velocity (TV network)
International versions
A Canadian version of Velocity, known as Discovery Velocity, launched on February 12, 2015. The channel was, originally, the Canadian version of Discovery HD Theater, and had been branded as Discovery World immediately prior.
In some markets, Discovery operates similarly-themed channels known as Discovery Turbo (Asia-Pacific, Latin America, UK/Ireland), DTX (Europe, except UK/Ireland), and Motor Trend (Italy), which feature a similar focus on automotive-themed programs.
Programming
Event coverage
In 2015, Velocity and Discovery Channel acquired the broadcast rights to Barrett-Jackson's automobile auctions, previously held by Fox Sports. Mike Joy, Chris Jacobs, and Ray Evernham host the Barrett-Jackson Live broadcasts on the two channels.
In April 2018, it was announced that Discovery and Motor Trend Group had acquired the North American broadcast rights to the FIA World Endurance Championship, beginning with the 2018-19 "super season", also replacing Fox Sports. The first and last hours of most events are televised by Velocity (with the entire events streaming on Motor Trend digital platforms), and there is live flag-to-flag television coverage of the 1000 Miles of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans. The broadcasts are produced by Eurosport, Discovery's pan-European sports network.
Original
- All Girls Garage
- American Icon: Muscle Car
- Barrett-Jackson Live
- Biggest And Baddest
- Cafe Racer
- Car Fix
- Chasing Classic Cars
- Dallas Car Sharks
- FantomWorks
- Inside West Coast Customs
- Junkyard Empire
- Kings of Crash
- Miracle Ball
- Motorhead Garage TV
- One of a Kind
- Patrick Dempsey: Racing Le Mans
- RMD Garage
- Saw Dogs
- South Beach Classics
- Speed Is The New Black
- Turn n' Burn
- Unique Rides
- What's In The Barn?
- What's My Car Worth?
- Wheels That Fail
- Tech Toys 360
Acquired
- All Star Dealers
- American Hot Rod
- Car Crazy
- Desert Car Kings
- Destroyed in Seconds
- Eurosport on Velocity
- Fat and Furious
- Fifth Gear
- Get Out Alive
- Graveyard Carz
- HowStuffWorks
- I Could Do That!
- Kidnap & Rescue
- MotorWeek
- Nature's Deadliest
- Overhaulin'
- Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars
- Stacey David's GearZ
- Some Assembly Required
- The Detonators
- UFO's Over Earth
- Verminators
- Weird or What?
- Wheeler Dealers
- Wheeler Dealers: Trading Up
- World's Most Expensive Rides
- How It's Made: Dream Cars
Upcoming
- The Auto Firm with Alex Vega
- West Coast Customs
References
External links
- Official website
Source of article : Wikipedia
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