The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris, tours of grand hotels, and visits to significant cities and towns, with recent programming putting an emphasis on how the rich travel and on allegedly haunted locations, like Most Haunted and Ghost Adventures. It was launched by Trans World Airlines in 1987, presumably to boost airline attendance, subsequently being sold to Landmark Communications, owner of The Weather Channel, and later Paxson Communications. Discovery bought 70% of the channel in 1997, acquiring the rest in 1999. In May 2007, Discovery sold Travel Channel to Cox Enterprises subsidiary Cox Communications as part of a larger multi-billion dollar transaction.[1] However, Discovery Communications still distributes the channel under Discovery Networks. In the United States, the Travel Channel is available in 89 million homes.[2] In countries where a totally separate Travel Channel based in the UK operates, the Discovery Travel Channel operates as Discovery Travel & Living. Travel Channel launched a mobile web service and GPS-capable downloads for mobile devices in June, 2008.[3] In 2009, Travel Channel launched the "Travel Bug" advertising campaign; the concept was developed by Dallas-based agency, Moroch. The Travel Channel is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland. On November 5, 2009 it was announced that Scripps Networks Interactive paid $1.1 billion for a 65% interest in the network. [4] [edit] Travel Channel HD Travel Channel HD is a 1080i high definition simulcast of Travel Channel that launched on January 14, 2008. It is available nationwide on Dish Network, and regionally on Verizon FiOs, and other cable systems.[clarification needed] [edit] Popular series [edit] Current - Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, a reality series hosted by Anthony Bourdain that is a fusion of cooking and travel shows.
- "Are You Game?", Game show host Todd Newton travels to Japan to appear on the game show Urakage.
- "Bite Me with Dr. Mike", Virologist Dr. Mike Leahy experiences close encounters with some of Earth's most dangerous creatures.
- Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, a reality series hosted by Andrew Zimmern that focuses on weird and unique cuisines of different cultures and also incorporates some off-beat tourist destinations.
- Bridget's Sexiest Beaches, Host Bridget Marquardt searches for the most beautiful beaches in the world.
- "Cruises We Love!" A 12 episode series that showcases everything from mainstream cruise lines to exclusive ships.
- Culture Shock, a program hosted by Shenaz Treasurywala and showing "peculiar customs and bizarre traditions" of various cultures around the world.
- Dhani Tackles the Globe, a show hosted by Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Dhani Jones as he travels around the world to participate in national sports of countries, these sports aren't normally played, or sometimes even known about, by Americans.
- "Dream Riders", A father takes his son on a 4,000 mile bike journey across America in an effort to rebuild their relationship.
- "Extreme", Showcases everything extreme, from swimming pools to truck stops.
- "Food Paradise", a show the finds the ultimate food paradises in America.
- "Forbes Luxe 11" a glimpse at 11 escapes for the super affluent
- Ghost Adventures, a reality series following three paranormal investigators as they visit haunted places around the country and abroad
- Great Hotels, a reality series hosted by Samantha Brown that checks into hotels all over the country deemed as "great" values and stays
- Cash and Treasures and Treasure Hunter: Kirsten Gum, shows hosted by Kirsten Gum that features places around the United States and the world where the public can dig for valuable gemstones and artifacts.
- Madventures, a Finnish travel show that focuses on low budget backpacking.
- Man v. Food, a reality series hosted by Adam Richman
- Mark & Olly: Living with the Tribes, a reality series that follows Olly Steeds and Mark Anstice as they live with the Mek and the Kombai peoples
- Most Haunted a show that follows the Most Haunted team to the scariest sites in their home country, the U.K.
- Samantha Brown's Great Weekends, a show hosted by Samantha Brown that shows great ways to spend weekends.
- "Super Swank" gives viewers access to the most luxurious lifestyles.
- "Surf Patrol",a show that follows Australian lifeguards as they patrol some of the most dangerous and beautiful beaches.
- "Travel 21"
- "Vegas Revolution" a behind the scenes look at America's favorite fantasyland.
- 5 Takes, a reality show that lets viewers control the action
- Adventure Bound
- Appalachian Stories, a documentary series about Appalachia, originally produced and shown in Knoxville, Tennessee, as The Heartland Series[5]
- Caprice's Travels, a series following the host Caprice around the world to wherever she goes
- Castles of Horror, a documentary series that journeys to castles from all across Europe
- Drew Carey's Sporting Adventures, a show hosted by comedian Drew Carey as he travels the world photographing football matches
- Flight Attendant School
- Fred Willard's American Festivals
- Get Packing
- Globe Trekker
- Great Getaway Game
- Great Sports Vacations
- Joan Cusack's Local Flavor
- Journeys to Remember
- Lawrence of America, a show hosted by English-born journalist Lawrence Beldon-Smythe that exposes America and its subculture
- Lonely Planet Six Degrees
- Made in America, hosted by John Ratzenberger, this show brings stories of the best people, places, and products in the US
- Not Your Average Travel Guide, a series that attempts to give an unconventional personal tour of the world, also featured during the show are small travel tips and facts.
- Passport to Europe, A show hosted by Samantha Brown that tours cities of Europe
- Passport to Green Getaways, a special hosted by Samantha Brown that shows vacations to three eco-friendly destinations in North America.
- Passport to Latin America, a show hosted by Samantha Brown that tours cities of Latin America
- Stranded with Cash Peters
- Taste of America, a show hosted by Mark DeCarlo
- The Tourist, a show hosted, created, and co-written by Rick Bronson
- Travellers
- Treasure Hunters
- Tribal Life, a show that features indigenous peoples of different tribes
- Tribal Life: Meet the Namal, a show that follows the Namal tribe in Vanuatu
- Weird Travels
- World Poker Tour, a show moved to Game Show Network in 2008
- World's Lost Tribes, a series that is followed by another similar show
- World's Most Dangerous Places
[edit] References [edit] External links |
