Dog TV

DOGTV is the first television network that is made specifically for dogs. The network was founded in equal parts by Ron Levi and Guy Martinovsky, its first CEO, that sold his shares later to The Jasmine Group. DOGTV provides 24/7 digital TV programming that is designed to provide entertainment for dogs. The programming, created with the help of dog behavior specialists, is color-adjusted to appeal to dogs, and features 3-6 minute segments designed to relax, to stimulate, and to expose the dog to scenes of everyday life such as doorbells or riding in a vehicle. The channel's proponents have indicated positive reviews from a humane society shelter in Escondido, California.^[1]

The Beginning

DOGTV initially launched in Feb 2012 for a test market in San Diego California, on Cox Communication and Time Warner Cable. . For exactly 1 year, people and dogs were able to experience the first TV channel for dogs, for free. The successful launch in this test market has set the stage for the commercial launch of the first ever TV channel dedicated to dogs as viewers. DOGTV is currently distributed globally with deals in major territories, including the USA, Japan, Germany, France, South Korea, China, UK & Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Luxembourg and Israel.

DOGTV Programming

DOGTV’s patented programming was designed and developed with world leading pet experts, and designed to support the dog’s natural behavior patterns, and is thus divided into 3 content categories: Relaxation, Stimulation and Exposure.

Relaxation programs reduce stress with dedicated soothing music and visuals; Stimulation programs encourage movement and playfulness; Exposure programs help comfort and habituate through different day-to-day stimuli. DOGTV has researched, created and produced more than 2,000 programs for dogs, each show is 3 to 6 minutes long, catering to dogs’ short attention span. In addition, DOGTV has recently introduced some shows for dog owners, which airs during weekends, including a user generated program which features home videos of dogs, titled “DOGSTAR!”. During the night, DOGTV airs” Night-Time” which features extra soothing music and visuals for the sleepy dog.

Discovery Communications Partnership

In 2014 Discovery Communications made a strategic investment in DOGTV, and became a minority stake holder in the company, DOGTV has recently begun working on several content partnerships with Discovery’s Animal Planet and Discovery Digital. In April 2016, DOGTV launched a special program for dogs and their humans called “The DOGTV Hour”. The show airs on Animal Planet and Discovery Family in 105 territories.

Research

DOGTV is based on more than 60 studies from world leading universities and veterinary schools. Ever since the late 1960s, scientists have examined animal behavior, to learn key patterns in their natural behavior, and test effects of socialization and habituation on dogs. For more than three decades major pet organizations such as the ASPCA, Humane Society of the United States and the American Humane Association have recommended leaving the television on for stay at home pets. According to these organizations, leaving the TV or radio on for dogs can reduce stress and provide stimulation. TV can help dogs feel less scared as a result of exterior sounds, by masking outside noise. DOGTV takes into consideration all relevant attributes and conclusions to implement in its content production. These attributes include dog behaviour, vision and hearing.

Advisory Board

DOGTV invested many resources in order to assemble an unmatched group of pet experts to create its unique programming. DOGTV’s experts play an important part in its growth, participating in program production, press conferences, social media events and much more. This respectable group of professionals, also utilize their experience within the pet industry to gain awareness and form new relationships for DOGTV

• Victoria Stilwell
• Prof. Nicholas Dodman Head of The Animal Behavior Dept. Tufts University
• Warren Eckstein Pet Behaviorist

DOGTV Online

In 2013, DOGTV launched a multiplatform streaming service called DOGTV ANYWHERE, available worldwide.

The idea is to deliver the channel to many people around the world who cannot receive the channel through their current cable providers. With DOGTV ANYWHERE, people anywhere in the world can subscribe to the service, and watch it on any of their connected devices: Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, PC and Mac, Apple or Android.

References

External links

• Official website