Discovery Channel (Australia and New Zealand)
| Company type | Television network |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting |
| Predecessor | Quest documentary channel |
| Founded | July 1995 |
| Headquarters | Australia / New Zealand |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand |
| Products | Television programming, documentary, reality TV |
Discovery is a television network accessible via cable and satellite throughout Australia and New Zealand. The Australian edition of the US-based Discovery Channel was formerly managed by XYZnetworks, which also held exclusive rights for distribution.
Introduced in July 1995 as a successor to the Quest documentary channel—launched in April 1995 by XYZ—Discovery originally concentrated on documentary content focusing on popular science, technology, and historical subjects. By the 2010s, the channel broadened its programming to include reality television and entertainment with pseudo-scientific themes.
Among its most successful shows are Aussie Gold Hunters, Gold Rush, Deadliest Catch, Fast N' Loud, along with the yearly special event Shark Week. The channel predominantly broadcasts reality series that explore scientific topics, extreme lifestyles, and automotive themes.
Discovery and Discovery Turbo both provide timeshift services on Foxtel, offering viewers the option to watch programs delayed by two hours.
Original programming
- Aussie Gold Hunters (airing since 2016)
- Outback Opal Hunters (broadcasting since 2018)
- Railroad Australia (since 2016)
- Saltwater Heroes (premiered August 2015)
- Sydney Harbour Patrol (since 2016)
- Aussie Lobster Men (on air since 2019)
- Dr Karl's Outrageous Acts of Science (since 2017)
- Abalone Wars (in production since 2012)
Shark Week
Shark Week is a yearly, week-long special event on Discovery that delivers round-the-clock shark-related programming, typically scheduled for early December. Celebrating its 25th year in Australia, this event plays a significant role in highlighting the dangers sharks face due to human impact and environmental shifts. It also features the latest developments in shark research and provides fresh perspectives on these vital oceanic predators.