Animal Planet
The Italian edition of the Animal Planet television channel, focused on animal-related programming and distributed exclusively through Sky Italia before closing in early 2019.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Animal Planet Italy was the Italian-language edition of the Animal Planet television brand, a specialist channel devoted to animals, wildlife, nature, pets, and related factual entertainment. It launched on 1 May 2005 as a subscription channel available exclusively through Sky Italia. The service was introduced by Discovery Networks Italy and became the company’s fifth Italian channel, following Discovery Channel, Discovery Science, Discovery Civilisation, and Discovery Travel & Adventure. The channel adapted Animal Planet programming for an Italian audience. Its editorial scope centered on animal behavior, wildlife, domestic pets, veterinary subjects, conservation, and factual series involving interaction between people and animals. As a localized television service, its principal offering was a programmed linear channel rather than a standalone product catalogue or consumer-goods line. Information about specific Italian commissions, presenters, executives, audience figures, and commercial performance is not established in the supplied reference material. In October 2008, Animal Planet Italy introduced a refreshed logo and on-air identity based on the visual treatment already adopted by the United States version of Animal Planet. The change aligned the Italian service more closely with the broader international brand while retaining its localized programming and presentation. The channel ceased broadcasting in Italy at the end of January or beginning of February 2019. Reference descriptions variously place the closure on 31 January or 1 February 2019; these dates describe the same shutdown transition. In April 2019, content associated with the service became available through Dplay, Discovery’s digital platform at the time, and used the United States version of the Animal Planet brand identity. Animal Planet Italy should therefore be treated as a discontinued Italian television-channel edition, not as the current global Animal Planet service or as a separate corporate company.
History
Animal Planet Italy was created as the Italian localized edition of the Animal Planet television network. It launched on 1 May 2005 and was distributed exclusively on Sky Italia, placing it within Italy’s subscription television ecosystem. At launch, it was the fifth channel introduced by Discovery Networks Italy, after Discovery Channel, Discovery Science, Discovery Civilisation, and Discovery Travel & Adventure. The channel’s programming was adapted for Italian viewers and focused on animal-centered factual content. Its broad subject areas included wildlife, domestic animals, pets, veterinary stories, animal behavior, and nature-related documentaries or factual entertainment. The service functioned primarily as a linear television channel, so its brand expression depended on scheduling, localization, continuity presentation, and carriage on the Sky Italia platform. The available reference material does not identify a separate Italian corporate entity, named founders, channel executives, financial results, or a detailed list of locally commissioned programmes. In October 2008, Animal Planet Italy changed its logo and on-air presentation. The revised look followed the visual identity that had already been introduced by the United States Animal Planet channel. This represented a branding alignment across the international Animal Planet network while the Italian edition continued to provide content adapted for its domestic audience. After nearly fourteen years of operation, the channel was discontinued at the end of January or the beginning of February 2019. The supplied references describe the closure using both 31 January and 1 February 2019, so the exact calendar convention is uncertain; operationally, the service ended during that overnight transition. The closure ended Animal Planet’s dedicated Italian linear-channel presence. In April 2019, material associated with Animal Planet Italy became accessible through Dplay, Discovery’s digital video platform at that time. The online presentation adopted the United States version of the Animal Planet identity rather than continuing the former Italian channel as a distinct linear brand. This shift reflected a move from a dedicated pay-television channel toward digital distribution and consolidated international branding. Animal Planet Italy is consequently a defunct local television edition whose historical significance lies in its role in Discovery’s Italian channel portfolio and in the later migration of its content to an on-demand platform.
- 2019
Linear channel discontinued
[1]Animal Planet Italy closed at the transition between 31 January and 1 February 2019.
- 2019
Content made available on Dplay
[1]From April 2019, related programming was made available through Dplay under the United States Animal Planet identity.
- 2008
Visual identity refresh
[1]The channel introduced a new logo and on-air look based on the identity used by the United States Animal Planet channel.
- 2005
Launch on Sky Italia
[1]Animal Planet Italy began broadcasting on 1 May 2005 as an exclusive Sky Italia channel and became Discovery Networks Italy’s fifth channel launch.
Products and positioning
A specialist factual television channel positioned around animal, wildlife, nature, pet, and veterinary content for Italian pay-television viewers.
Specialty pay-television channel · 2005
Animal Planet Italy television channel
The core product was a localized Italian-language linear television service distributed exclusively through Sky Italia from its 2005 launch until its closure in early 2019. It scheduled animal, wildlife, pet, veterinary, and nature-focused factual programming for Italian viewers.
Video-on-demand content · 2019
Animal Planet content on Dplay
After the linear channel closed, associated Animal Planet programming became available through Dplay in April 2019. The digital presentation used the United States Animal Planet version rather than maintaining Animal Planet Italy as a separate channel identity.
Brand decisions
2019
Replace the dedicated linear service with digital distributionStrategyBackground
The Italian Animal Planet channel was discontinued at the end of January or beginning of February 2019.
Action taken
From April 2019, associated content was offered through Dplay using the United States Animal Planet identity.
Aftermath
Animal Planet content remained available digitally, but the distinct Italian linear channel ceased to operate.
2008
Align the Italian channel identity with the United States brandStrategyBackground
Animal Planet Italy operated as a localized edition of an international television brand and required a consistent visual presentation.
Action taken
In October 2008, it adopted a logo and on-air look previously used by the United States Animal Planet channel.
Aftermath
The Italian service became more visually consistent with the wider Animal Planet network while continuing to serve an Italian audience.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
DC Thomson and Discovery launch Animal Planet magazine[2]
Reported:
DC Thomson partnered with Discovery to launch Animal Planet, a monthly educational magazine aimed at children aged seven to 12.
Sources2 sources
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