TLC (Australian TV channel)
| Company type | Television network |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting |
| Predecessor | Discovery Travel & Adventure, Discovery Travel & Living |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand |
| Owner | Warner Bros. Discovery Asia-Pacific |
TLC, previously known as Discovery Travel & Adventure and later Discovery Travel & Living, is a television network serving Australia and New Zealand, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery Asia-Pacific. The channel debuted in Australia in 2004 and expanded to New Zealand in 2015. It is accessible through subscription TV services such as Foxtel and Fetch in Australia, and Sky in New Zealand.
The channel primarily appeals to a female demographic by broadcasting reality programming centered on unique lifestyles, weddings, relationships, family dynamics, and personal transformations. It also includes True Crime series that explore stories of love turned tragic and crimes driven by passion. TLC airs shows sourced from its US and UK counterparts, including content from the UK’s Quest Red. Prominent titles featured are the popular 90 Day Fiancé franchise with its various spin-offs: 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way, 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?, and 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days. Other notable series include My 600-lb Life, I Am Jazz, Counting On, Little People, Big World, and Kate Plus Date.
The channel’s signature program, Say Yes to the Dress, stars Randy Fenoli and includes UK versions hosted by David Emanuel and Gok Wan. Among these is Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire, which premiered in September 2019. Additionally, a localized edition titled Say Yes to the Dress: Australia launched in October 2016 with Adam Dixon as host.
In January 2019, TLC introduced season one of Dr Pimple Popper, featuring dermatologist Dr Sandra Lee, which quickly gained widespread acclaim; its second season began airing in July 2019.
Among the notable personalities associated with TLC are UK celebrity Katie Price, starring in Katie Price: My Crazy Life, along with Vicky Pattison from Geordie Shore, who appeared in the documentary special Vicky Pattison: The Break Up.
History
The channel originally launched as Discovery Travel & Adventure in 2004 before rebranding to Discovery Travel & Living in October 2005, featuring content from Discovery Communications. It was available on SelecTV starting March 2007 until the English service ceased operations in late 2010. On 1 September 2010, the network was renamed the Travel and Living Channel (TLC) and switched to broadcasting in a 16:9 aspect ratio. Unlike its US counterpart—where TLC stands for The Learning Channel—the Australian version's name signifies Travel and Living Channel, progressively incorporating programming from the American TLC lineup.
Following the closure of sister channel Discovery Home & Health on 3 November 2014, it was replaced by Discovery Kids, with much of Home & Health’s programming migrating to TLC. At this time, Foxtel relocated TLC from channel 646 to 130, and TLC+2 shifted from 647 to 166. On 1 September 2015, Sky TV New Zealand added TLC on channel Sky 016 during a broader channel reorganization.
In 2016, TLC produced its first locally made show with Say Yes to the Dress: Australia, an international adaptation featuring designer Adam Dixon, marking an expansion of original content on the network.