Date:26/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/26/stories/2008092650240200.htm

New Delhi

Animal Planet in a bold new avatar

To celebrate completion of its ten years in India, Animal Planet will come out in a bold new avatar from October 1. The channel will highlight gripping and exciting stories specifically designed to appeal to an adult TV audience seeking compelling entertainment. The fresh brand identity will be revealed on the channel from the midnight of September 30, pushing the boundaries of what viewers expect from the channel.

In addition to a new logo and vibrant on-air graphics, the new Animal Planet will offer viewers a variety of programmes including the stunning nature films for which the network is renowned as well as quality docu-soaps, docu-dramas and ground-breaking programmes that brings to life the amazing diversity of the animal kingdom.

“We are transforming the look, feel and storytelling of Animal Planet in order to deepen our relationship with audiences. The new Animal Planet is full of exciting, instinctual stories that will bring out the raw, visceral emotion in the natural world and lead viewers to see animals as characters, not merely creatures. Animal Planet is a place where animals rule and viewers are captive,” says Rahul Johri of Discovery Networks Asia Pacific.

The new set of programming will tap into the primal instincts that drive us all – maternal, survival and social – with fascinating stories that resonate with what it means to be human. Ranging from raw, emotional and passionate to funny and humorous, the new content will explore close-up encounters with wildlife, follow heroic crusaders as they go into battle to protect the animal kingdom and highlight the joy of sharing life with devoted animal companions.

The new-look Animal Planet will have content broadly dominated by programmes like “Equator”, “Lemur Street”, “Meerkat Manor”, “Animal Battleground” and “Groomer Has It”.

Madhur Tankha