Launched in 1996, Animal Planet's original programming brings together people of all ages by tapping into a fundamental fascination with animals and provides a diverse mix of programming including original movies, adventure series, sports and drama.
Animal Planet signature programming includes long-standing personalities like THE CROCODILE HUNTER's Steve and Terri Irwin, pop culture star Jeff Corwin and THE PET PSYCHIC's Sonya Fitzpatrick. The Channel is defined by unique series such as PET STAR, THE FUTURE IS WILD and MUTUAL OF OMAHA'S WILD KINGDOM.
World Class Programming
Animal Planet scoured the nation far and wide for the best of the best in outrageous pet tricks for PET STAR, including roller-skating birds, rats that play basketball, a pig that paints, a dog that surfs and much more! Celebrity judges and audience members will cut the competition down to size. Introduced in January 2003, PET STAR is hosted by Mario Lopez, "Saved by the Bell" teen heartthrob.
The quirky world traveler and host of the THE JEFF CORWIN EXPERIENCE kicks off his third season on Animal Planet in January 2003 with all-new episodes of escapades across three continents.
Animal Planet and Mutual of Omaha relaunched the heralded MUTUAL OF OMAHA'S WILD KINGDOM in 2002 with the first of six original hour-long specials. Each special takes viewers to the wildest places on earth to see rare and exotic animals in their natural habitat. The programming, featuring state-of-the-art filming techniques, covers six of the seven continents with environs ranging from deserts below sea level in Africa to sub-freezing escarpments 16,000 feet high in the Himalayas. The series focuses on a wide range of mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and will seek out previously unknown and rare species.
THE CROCODILE HUNTER debuted on Animal Planet in 1996 and continues to be incredibly popular with Animal Planet's viewers. Season two of the newest Steve Irwin series, CROCODILE HUNTER DIARIES, follows the everyday life of Steve Irwin and his team at Australia Zoo. As viewers go behind the scenes at the zoo and of Steve and Terri's life, intense and compelling stories will unfold right in front of the camera.
THE FUTURE IS WILD debuted on January 1, 2003 to the highest ratings in the history of Animal Planet. Through state-of-the-art computer-generated imagery, THE FUTURE IS WILD transported over 8 million people to the unbelievable world of the future. This summer, three new installments of this franchise will showcase even more creatures that could exist in the distant future.
Partnerships
Animal Planet has jumped out of the television and into people's everyday lives through a number of partnerships and alliances.
In early 2003, world-renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall and Discovery Communications announced the formation of a landmark partnership, which includes the development of original specials featuring Dr. Goodall's pioneering work. The first program, profiling the accomplishments of the Jane Goodall Institute over the last 25 years, will debut on Animal Planet in late 2003.
In 2000, Animal Planet and the Smithsonian National Zoological Park formed a partnership surrounding the arrival and survival of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, the two giant pandas on loan from China to the National Zoo. Through conservation, television projects and other endeavors, the long-term partnership has tremendous potential.
A global partnership with Toys 'R Us brought the first specially branded Animal Planet section to the 1,500 Toys 'R Us outlets around the world.
ANIMAL PLANET LIVE, an original attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood is based on the network's most popular programming. The show opened in 2001 at the Universal Studios theme parks in Orlando and Hollywood.
Animal Planet's affiliate team tours the ANIMAL PLANET EXPO to cities across the nation. The Expo creates an experience for families, children and animal lovers of all ages to learn vital information about how they can proactively protect their pets and animals and help them when disaster strikes.
