January 1, 1995 (1995-01-01) – June 5, 2018 (2018-06-05)
Daily Planet was a television program on Discovery Channel Canada which features daily news, discussion and commentary on the scientific aspects of current events and discoveries. The show first aired as @discovery.ca in 1995. It was relaunched as Daily Planet on September 30, 2002, adopting a "science magazine" programming format. The show adopted high definition in 2011. The show was cancelled by Bell Media on May 23, 2018 and its final episode aired on June 5, 2018.[1]
From June 2012 until the show ended in May 2018, the hosts were Ziya Tong and Dan Riskin. Daily Planet aired on Discovery Channel Canada, Monday through Friday at 7 p.m.EST (Monday through Friday at 4 p.m.PST) as of September 4, 2012.
History
Daily Planet first aired on January 1, 1995, the same day as the premiere of Discovery Channel Canada, under the name @discovery.ca, it was an hour-long daily news magazine with a science news segment and several feature segments. During this era, the show aired for the fall/winter season. The summer season aired the variant show Summer@discovery.ca, with the daily science news segment, and repeats of feature segments from the fall/winter season in a half-hour format.[2][3]
Jay Ingram, who hosted the show since Discovery Channel Canada's inception, announced his retirement on May 16, 2011.[4]Daily Planet: Jay's Last Show aired on Sunday, June 5, 2011, which paid tribute to the host with flashbacks and guest segments.[5]
During the summer of 2002, the set was completely remade for the name change from @discovery.ca to Daily Planet. During the summer of 2006, the set of Daily Planet was completely made over. On the season premiere in September, the end of the show was about the rebuilding of the set. During the summer of 2011, the set was rebuilt to accommodate the relaunch of the show in high definition on August 29, 2011.
Foreign versions
Co-hosts Ziya Tong and Dan Riskin on location in Northern Ireland during the opening of Titanic Belfast, April 2012
An American version of the series, Science Daily, which was based in Washington, DC, aired on the Discovery-owned digital channel The Science Channel (then branded Discovery Science Channel) from 2000–2001, during the @discovery.ca era. Patty Kim hosted from Washington, DC. A weekly version called Discoveries This Week, hosted by Dan Duran, aired on that channel until 2006. The Science Channel more recently simulcasted a live Daily Planet special called Mars: The Phoenix Lands in HD on May 25, 2008.
MindBender – A weekly contest where the viewers are asked five science-based questions. Viewers who submit the correct answers online are entered into a draw for a digital camera or movie passes. From the 2002–2003 season to the 2008–2009 season, there were only 3 questions, with a warm-up question before the contest.
Discoveries – Daily recap of science and technology headlines from around the world. (Known as Planet Now in the 2009–2010 season)
Weird Planet – Showcasing an unusual scientific discovery or piece of technology.
Planet You – Highlighting technology headlines and showing user-generated images and videos.
Super Slo-Mo Tuesday – A slow motion video of varying topic.
Ziyology – Host Ziya Tong interviews scientists and researchers about their work.
Alan Nursall Experience – Alan Nursall explores the physics behind everyday objects and events. Some segments consist of public demonstrations of physics experiments with help from bystanders.
Future Tech – Featuring Lucas Cochran as the tech correspondent reviewing upcoming tech, gaming and social media.
Riskin's Business – Host Dan Riskin conducts experiments to learn how the world works and invites the audience to participate.[7]
Former programming segments
Behind the Scenes – Natasha Stillwell goes to commercial/industrial facilities to explain the workings of everyday items/service, similar to How It's Made.
Kate's Page – (1995–1996) "@discovery.ca" segment features Kathryn Holloway discussing the Internet and web sites using blue-screen technology
Joe's Chemistry Set (1995–2002) – Joe Schwarcz performs chemical experiments to explain chemical phenomena. It was eventually split into a 13-episode series named Science To Go.
Weird and Wonderful Science (?–2002) – Originally called "Weird Science", it featured Richard Wassersug introducing strange scientific phenomena.
Built In Your Backyard – Segment for home-made inventions.
Fact of the Matter – Featuring various physicists to explain physical phenomena.
You Asked For It – @discovery.ca segment answering scientific questions from viewers. It was eventually turned into a separate half-hour show. In the Daily Planet era, it was relaunched in the 2005–2006 season as "Planet Q".
Science And The City – Alan Nursall goes to public places to demonstrate physical phenomena by inviting public into performing experiments.
Going for Green (Fall 2009) – A ten-part series showcasing some of the green technology in use at 2010 Winter Olympics venues.
Jay's Journal – Jay Ingram's editorial column, discussing implications of information in science news.
Daily Planet Goes specials
A full-hour, multi-episode series, where show hosts go to different places for the episodes.
Ivan Semeniuk (fill-in host & host of Summer@discovery.ca)
References
^Discovery Canada (2018-05-23). "@DiscoveryCanada Tweet". twitter.com. Retrieved 2023-07-15. After 23 wonderful seasons of Daily Planet, the final episode will air on June 5th. Due to increasing production costs and declining revenue, we can no longer continue production. Thank you to the amazing cast, crew and fans for a lengthy and educational ride.
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