Discovery Channel is celebrating a landmark moment in television history: 40 years of inspiring awe, igniting curiosity, and taking viewers on unforgettable journeys around the globe.
Seven Days of the Very Best of Discovery
A week of unmissable themed programming starts Monday, 16 June on Discovery Channel Africa, marking 40 years since the first US broadcast. Each day spotlights a signature feature that has defined the channel over the decades; From the grit and glory of GOLD on Monday, to the daring feats featured in EXTREME JOBS on Tuesday, the raw endurance of SURVIVAL stories on Wednesday, and the ingenuity of being OFF GRID on Thursday. Friday revs into high gear with TURBO, Saturday plunges into HISTORY AND MYSTERY, and Sunday culminates in ICONIC DOCS, including the premiere of DISCOVERY CHANGED MY LIFE, a moving tribute to real people worldwide whose lives and careers were inspired by Discovery Channel.
Discovery Changed My Life Series
Discovery Changed My Life is a powerful special featuring personal stories from pioneers around the world whose lives were transformed by Discovery’s content. Among them is South Africa’s Darren Britz, a wildlife filmmaker who recalls watching Discovery almost daily as a child, a habit that sparked his passion for wildlife storytelling. Also featured is Joshua Adayemi from Lagos, Nigeria, now based in Scotland, who founded the Black Scottish Adventurists to promote diversity in the outdoors, inspired by Discovery shows he watched on a neighbour’s TV. Marine biologist Dr. Alison Towner, originally from the UK and now based in Gansbaai, South Africa, has spent more than a decade working on Shark Week and is a fierce advocate for ocean and shark conservation. These compelling stories reflect Discovery’s global impact, inspiring curiosity, shaping careers, and changing lives across continents.
Four Decades of Discovery: A Timeline of Impact
Since its first broadcast in 1985, Discovery has grown from a niche documentary channel into a global icon of factual entertainment. From icy frontiers to deep oceans, remote cultures to cutting-edge science, Discovery Channel has consistently brought the wonders of the world into living rooms with unmatched authenticity and visual brilliance.
1985: The Dawn of Discovery
On June 17, 1985, media visionary John Hendricks launched Discovery Channel with just 12 hours of daily broadcasting and a mission to explore science, nature, culture, and history; The seeds of a global movement were planted.
Late 1980s–1990s: Growth, Diversification & Global Expansion
By the early 1990s, Discovery had begun to redefine factual television, expanding into technology, history, and adventure content. In 1995, the network dropped “The” from its name and introduced a coloured globe logo, symbolising its growing global ambitions.
In 1988, the channel debuted Shark Week, an annual celebration of ocean predators that became a pop culture phenomenon, attracting over 25 million viewers by 2024. The momentum continued with the launch of spin-off brands like Animal Planet, Discovery Kids, and Science Channel, as well as international rollouts.
In 1996, Discovery Channel launched in South Africa, cementing its footprint on the continent. Today, the channel broadcasts in over 220 countries and territories in 33 languages, reaching more than 2 million households across Africa alone.
Early 2000s: Reality Frontiers and Global Phenomena
The turn of the millennium brought a new era of genre-defining reality programming. From the animated Walking with Dinosaurs (2000) to breakout hits like American Chopper (2003), MythBusters, Deadliest Catch (2005), Planet Earth (2007), and Gold Rush (2012), Discovery struck the perfect balance between education and entertainment, redefining what factual TV could be.
Mid-2000s Onwards: Technology, Transformation and Localised Excellence
Always at the forefront of media evolution, Discovery embraced high-definition (HD) broadcasting as early as 2002. In 2009, it launched the Discovery HD Showcase on DStv’s HD platform, becoming the first international broadcaster to offer a fully HD channel in Southern Africa. This was followed by the 2014 HD launch of Discovery Channel South Africa, raising the bar for immersive viewing experiences.
Looking Ahead with Purpose: Collaborations, Social Initiatives, and Diverse Programming
Discovery Channel continues to push boundaries, expanding its digital presence, embracing new formats, and reaching broader audiences, without ever losing sight of its founding mission: to satisfy curiosity and inspire awe.
Now, as part of its 40th Anniversary celebrations, Discovery is embarking on another impactful partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant over 40,000 trees worldwide, including in Kenya. This initiative not only supports biodiversity but also contributes to healthier communities around the world.
Forty years in, Discovery Channel is still discovering, evolving, exploring, and inspiring new generations of curious minds. And for viewers in Africa and around the world, the next great adventure is only just beginning.
Tune in to Discovery Channel on DStv Channel 121 and Catch Up to celebrate #Discovery40.
