Country United States Owned by Discovery Communications Founded 1996 | CEO David Zaslav (2007–) | |
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Launched October 7, 1996; 20 years ago (1996-10-07) Formerly called Discovery Civilization Network: The World History and Geography Channel(1996–98)Discovery Civilization Channel(1998–2003)Discovery Times(2003–08) Sister channel(s) Discovery ChannelTLCAnimal PlanetOWNDestination AmericaDiscovery LifeDiscovery FamilyAmerican Heroes ChannelScienceVelocity Website InvestigationDiscovery.comCrimeFeed.com (Official Blog) TV shows Homicide Hunter, Deadly Women, On the Case with Paula Zahn, A Crime to Remember, Nightmare Next Door Similar HGTV, Travel Channel, Discovery Channel Profiles | ||
Investigation Discovery (often abbreviated ID) is an American television network owned by Discovery Communications that features documentary-style programming dealing with true crime subjects, mostly those of a violent nature (primarily homicides, but also kidnappings, stalkings, sexual assaults, domestic violence and disappearances). As of February 2015, approximately 86,062,000 American households (73.9% of households with television) receive Investigation Discovery.
Contents
History
The channel launched in 1996 under the name Discovery Civilization Network: The World History and Geography Channel. It was one of four digital networks rolled out by Discovery Communications simultaneously in October 1996. Plans for the channel had surfaced in November 1994, when its working name was "Time Traveler".
In April 2002, New York Times Television and Discovery Communications announced a joint venture to run the Discovery Civilization Channel. By then, it was available in 14 million households. The partnership aimed to complement the historical shows, with programming about current events and contemporary history. On March 25, 2003, the channel was rebranded as Discovery Times, focusing more on American culture and programming pertaining to the well-being and culture of the people of the United States, as well as other miscellaneous programming. The previous name was described as "is a little off-message" by executives. In April 2006, The New York Times sold its stake in Discovery Times back to Discovery Communications, ending its ownership in the channel.
Also in 2006, the network's on-air identity was re-branded by creative studio Trollbäck + Company. On January 27, 2008, Discovery Times was renamed "Investigation Discovery". In addition to the television network, an Investigation Discovery website was also launched. Contributors to the website include crime writers David Lohr, Corey Mitchell, and Gary C. King. In 2016 Investigation Discovery Channel covered the murder of Malika Wiloughby on the Unraveled series co-starring actor and recording artist Tavion Tate Guice aka Tavion Millioune as Willie.
The channel's high definition simulcast is available on all major cable and satellite providers.
Programming
Most of ID's programs are original productions, but it also airs re-titled off-network reruns, including ABC's 20/20, CBS' 48 Hours, and NBC's Dateline.
On June 7, 2015, ID aired its first ever scripted mini-series; Serial Thriller: Angel of Decay chronicled the investigation of convicted (and later executed) serial killer Ted Bundy. A second installment, Serial Thriller: The Chameleon, premiered as a two-part miniseries in December 2015, chronicling the crimes that resulted in the execution of American serial killer Stephen Morin. A third installment, Serial Thriller: The Headhunter, about serial killer Edmund Kemper (which possibly includes the story of serial killer Herbert Mullin), premiered on February 20, 2016.