HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Motor Trend is an American sports television network owned by
Motor Trend Group Motor Trend Group, LLC, formerly known as Source Interlink Media and TEN: The Enthusiast Network, is a media company that specializes in enthusiast brands, such as ''Motor Trend'', ''Hot Rod'', and ''Roadkill''. Headquartered in New York City, i ...
, a subsidiary of
Warner Bros. Discovery Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at 230 Park Avenue South in New York City. It was formed after the spin-off of WarnerMedia by AT&T, and its merger with D ...
through its sports unit. It primarily broadcasts automotive-themed programming, including
motorsports Motorsport, motorsports or motor sport is a global term used to encompass the group of competitive sporting events which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles. The terminology can also be used to describe forms of competition of two ...
events. It was originally founded in 2002 as Discovery HD Theater (later HD Theater), the first 24/7 high-definition basic cable network. It featured high-definition programming from its other channels. Redundant after the introduction of high-definition simulcasts for Discovery's networks, it re-launched in 2011 as Velocity—an "upscale male" network primarily featuring automotive programming. Following Discovery's acquisition of a majority stake in the magazine's publisher, it was announced that Velocity would rebrand as Motor Trend on November 23, 2018, as a brand extension of the automotive magazine ''
Motor Trend ''MotorTrend'' is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, and designated the first Car of the Year, also in 1949. Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles published ''MotorTrend'' until 19 ...
''. As of January 2015, approximately 85.3 million American households (87.9% of households with television) receive Motor Trend.


History

The network launched nationwide in the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
on June 17, 2002, as Discovery HD Theater; and was the first 24/7 basic cable HD network in the US. The channel was rebranded to HD Theater on September 22, 2007. Programming included shows from Discovery sister networks, such as ''
American Chopper ''American Chopper'' is an American reality television series that airs on Discovery Channel, produced by Pilgrim Films & Television. The series centers on Paul Teutul Sr. (frequently called ''Senior''), and his son Paul Teutul Jr. (also know ...
'' and Animal Planet's '' Corwin's Quest'', in addition to original programming such as '' Sunrise Earth'' (which featured footage of outdoor scenes with no narration), and history-focused titles such as '' When Dinosaurs Roamed America'' and '' Before We Ruled the Earth''.


As Velocity

By 2011, as high definition feeds of mainstream networks had become more common, HD Theater no longer filled a unique niche. On April 14, 2011, Discovery Communications announced that HD Theater would be re-launched as Velocity later in the year; the re-launch took place on October 4, 2011. The network focused primarily on automotive-oriented programming and other shows of interest to an "upscale male" audience.


As Motor Trend

On August 3, 2017, Discovery announced that it would contribute Velocity into a joint venture with the digital, live events, and direct-to-consumer businesses of automotive publisher TEN: The Enthusiast Network. Discovery will hold a majority stake in the venture. In April 2018, it was announced that TEN had been renamed the Motor Trend Group, and that Velocity would rebrand to Motor Trend Network later in 2018. Co-branded with the automotive magazine ''
Motor Trend ''MotorTrend'' is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, and designated the first Car of the Year, also in 1949. Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles published ''MotorTrend'' until 19 ...
'', the rebranding is part of an effort by Discovery, following its acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive, to focus more on direct-to-consumer offerings targeting niche topics with "passionate" audiences. ''Motor Trend'' already operates the subscription video-on-demand service ''Motor Trend OnDemand'', and had plotted out international expansion (including a British launch of ''Motor Trend OnDemand'' in the UK in December 2017, and a forthcoming over-the-air Motor Trend television channel in Italy. Velocity officially rebranded as Motor Trend on November 23, 2018.


International versions

In Canada,
Discovery Velocity Discovery Velocity is a Canadian Category B specialty channel owned by CTV Specialty Television, a joint venture of CTV Specialty Television Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery. It is a Canadian version of the U.S. channel formerly of the same na ...
launched on February 12, 2015. The channel was, originally, the Canadian version of Discovery HD Theater, and had been branded as
Discovery World Discovery World is a science and technology museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The museum is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of STEM majors through curiosity and creativity. Focus Mission "Discovery World provides fun and educational ...
immediately prior. In some markets, Discovery operates similarly-themed channels known as
Discovery Turbo Discovery Turbo (previously known as Discovery Turbo MAX in Australia) is a pay television channel devoted to programming about transport. It is similar to Discovery Velocity and Motor Trend (TV network), Motor Trend. It was also briefly availab ...
(Asia-Pacific, Latin America, UK/Ireland), DTX (Europe, except UK/Ireland), and
Motor Trend ''MotorTrend'' is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, and designated the first Car of the Year, also in 1949. Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles published ''MotorTrend'' until 19 ...
(Italy), which feature a similar focus on automotive-themed programs.


Programming


As Discovery HD Theater

*'' Before We Ruled the Earth'' (2003) *'' Dinosaur Planet'' (2003) *'' Insectia'' (1999-2001) *'' Sunrise Earth'' (2004-2008) *'' When Dinosaurs Roamed America'' (2001)


As Velocity/Motor Trend


Event coverage

In 2015, Motor Trend (then known as Velocity) and Discovery Channel acquired the broadcast rights to
Barrett-Jackson Barrett-Jackson is an American collector car auction company headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was founded by Scottsdale business partners Tom Barrett and Russ Jackson. They initially launched a car show, Fiesta de los Autos Elegantes, in 19 ...
's automobile auctions, previously held by
Fox Sports Fox Sports is the brand name for a number of sports channels, broadcast divisions, programming, and other media around the world. The ''Fox Sports'' name has since been used for other sports media assets. These assets are held mainly by the Fo ...
.
Mike Joy Michael Joy (born November 25, 1949) is an American TV sports announcer and who currently serves as the lap-by-lap voice of Fox Sports' coverage of NASCAR. His color analyst is Clint Bowyer. Counting 2022, Joy has been part of the live broadcast ...
, Chris Jacobs, and
Ray Evernham Raymond Donald Evernham Jr. (born August 26, 1957) is an American consultant for Hendrick Companies, formerly an auto racing crew chief for Bill Davis Racing and Hendrick Motorsports, owner of his own team Evernham Motorsports from 2001 to 2 ...
host the ''Barrett-Jackson Live'' broadcasts on the two channels. In April 2018, it was announced that Discovery and Motor Trend Group had acquired the North American broadcast rights to the
FIA World Endurance Championship The FIA World Endurance Championship is an auto racing world championship organized by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The series supersedes the ACO's former Intercont ...
, beginning with the 2018-19 "super season", also replacing Fox Sports. The first and last hours of most events are televised by Motor Trend (with the entire events streaming on ''Motor Trend'' digital platforms), and there is live flag-to-flag television coverage of the
1000 Miles of Sebring The 1,000 Miles of Sebring is a Sports car racing, sports car race that is held at the Sebring International Raceway, on the site of the former Hendricks Army Airfield World War II Air Base, in Sebring, Florida, Sebring, Florida, USA. It was cre ...
and
24 Hours of Le Mans The 24 Hours of Le Mans (french: link=no, 24 Heures du Mans) is an endurance-focused Sports car racing, sports car race held annually near the town of Le Mans, France. It is the world's oldest active Endurance racing (motorsport), endurance r ...
. The broadcasts are produced by
Eurosport Eurosport is a group of pay television networks in Europe and parts of Asia. Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery through Warner Bros. Discovery Sports#Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe properties, its international sports unit, it operates two ...
, Discovery's pan-European sports network.


Original

*''All Girls Garage'' *''American Icon: Muscle Car'' *'' Ant Anstead Master Mechanic'' *''The Auto Firm with Alex Vega'' *''Auto/Biography'' *'' Barrett-Jackson Live'' *''Biggest And Baddest'' *''Bitchin' Boot Camp'' *''
Bitchin' Rides ''Bitchin' Rides'' (known outside the United States as ''Salt Lake Garage'' in Italy and ''Kindig Customs'' elsewhere) is a reality styled Velocity TV show featuring Dave Kindig from the Salt Lake City, Utah-based company Kindig It Designs as they ...
'' *''Cafe Racer'' *''Car Fix'' *''
Chasing Classic Cars ''Chasing Classic Cars'' is a US television documentary series presented by Wayne Carini of F-40 Motorsports and produced by Clint Stinchcomb. It looks at classic cars from all eras, focusing on finding and getting cars running, with the option o ...
'' *'' Dallas Car Sharks'' *''Drift This'' *''FantomWorks'' *''Faster with Finnegan'' *''Fastest Cars in the Dirty South'' *''
Inside West Coast Customs ''Inside West Coast Customs'' is a car remodeling reality television show based in Burbank, California. The series revolves around car customizer Ryan Friedlinghaus and his staff at West Coast Customs as they transform ordinary, factory-model veh ...
'' *''Iron Resurrection'' starring Joe and Amanda Martin *''Garage Squad'' *''Junkyard Empire'' *''Kings of Crash'' *''Life Size'' *'' Mike Brewer's World of Cars'' *''Miracle Ball'' *''Motorhead Garage TV'' *''MotorTrend: Working from Home'' *'' NASCAR 2020: Under Pressure'' *'' NASCAR All In: Battle for Daytona'' *''One of a Kind'' *''Patrick Dempsey: Racing Le Mans'' *''Pikes Peak: On the Edge'' *''Restoration Garage'' *''RMD Garage'' *''
Roadkill Roadkill is an animal or animals that have been struck and killed by drivers of motor vehicles on highways. Wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) have increasingly been the topic of academic research to understand the causes, and how it can be mi ...
'' *''Saw Dogs'' *''South Beach Classics'' *''Speed Is The New Black'' *''Tech Toys 360'' *''Texas Metal'' *''
Top Gear America ''Top Gear America'' is a motoring television series for BBC America hosted by William Fichtner, Tom Ford and Antron Brown. Based on the UK version, the new program was announced in April 2017. The eight-episode first season premiered on July ...
'' (Reboot) *''Turn n' Burn'' *''Unique Rides'' *''What's In The Barn?'' *''What's My Car Worth?'' *''Wheels That Fail''


Acquired

*''All Star Dealers'' *''
American Hot Rod ''American Hot Rod'' is a reality television series that originally aired between 2004 and 2007 on The Learning Channel and Discovery Channel. The series followed renowned car designer Boyd Coddington and his crew as they built hot rods and c ...
'' *''Car Crazy'' *''
Desert Car Kings ''Desert Car Kings'' is a reality television series that debuted on the Discovery Channel on January 26, 2011. It is based on the McClure family, who run Desert Valley Auto Parts in Phoenix, Arizona. The show's main characters, Jason and his fa ...
'' *'' Destroyed in Seconds'' *''Eurosport on Velocity'' *''Fat and Furious'' *''
Fifth Gear ''Fifth Gear'' is a British motoring television magazine series on Discovery+. It is a continuation of the ''Fifth Gear'' format originally broadcast on Channel 5 from 2002 to 2011, afterwards moving to Discovery Channel in 2012, and then in ...
'' *''
Get Out Alive ''Get Out Alive'' is a 2013 American Horror/Thriller film directed by Clay Dumaw. The movie's plot pays tribute to elements from 70s and 80s horror films like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Evil Dead ''The Evil Dead'' is a 1981 Amer ...
'' *''
Graveyard Carz ''Graveyard Carz'' is an American automotive Reality television, reality TV show made on location in Springfield, Oregon that restores the late 1960s/early 1970s Mopar muscle cars. Their shop motto is "It's Mopar or No Car". As of July 28, 2020, ...
'' *'' How It's Made: Dream Cars'' *''
HowStuffWorks HowStuffWorks is an American commercial infotainment website founded by professor and author Marshall Brain, to provide its target audience an insight into the way many things work. The site uses various media to explain complex concepts, termin ...
'' *''I Could Do That!'' *''Kidnap & Rescue'' *''
MotorWeek ''MotorWeek'' is an automotive news and information program focused on car road tests, previews, and maintenance tips. The program is produced by Maryland Public Television for PBS and also airs on the commercial cable/satellite channel MAVTV. ...
'' *''Nature's Deadliest'' *''
Overhaulin' ''Overhaulin'' is an American automotive reality television series. The show originally ran for five seasons between 2004 and 2008 on TLC. After a four-year hiatus, sixth season premiered on October 2, 2012 on Velocity and Discovery (Cablevision ...
'' *'' Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars'' *'' Stacey David's GearZ'' *'' Some Assembly Required'' *'' Top Gear (UK)'' *'' The Detonators'' *''UFOs Over Earth'' *'' Verminators'' *'' Weird or What?'' *''
Wheeler Dealers Wheeler Dealers is a British TV series originally produced by Attaboy TV for the Discovery Channel in the UK and for Motor Trend in the U.S. The programme is fronted by car enthusiast and former dealer Mike Brewer with mechanics Edd China (Seri ...
'' *'' Wheeler Dealers: Trading Up'' *''World's Most Expensive Rides''


References


External links

* {{Sports television in the United States Motor Trend Group Warner Bros. Discovery networks Television channels and networks about cars English-language television stations in the United States Television channels and stations established in 2002 2002 establishments in the United States Turner Sports