Velocity ( TV network ) - Wikipedia Velocity ( TV network ) Velocity Launched June 17, 2002 ; 15 years ago ( 2002 - 06 - 17 ) Owned by Discovery Communications Picture format 1080i ( HDTV ) Country United States Language English Headquarters Silver Spring, Maryland Formerly called Discovery HD Theater ( 2002 -- 2007 ) HD Theater ( 2007 -- 2011 ) Sister channel ( s ) Discovery Channel American Heroes Channel Destination America Website Velocity.com Availability Satellite DirecTV Channel 281 Dish Network Channel 246 C Band AMC 11 - Channel 617 ( 4DTV Digital ) Cable Cox Channel 740 Verizon FiOS Channel 631 Comcast Varies IPTV AT&T Uverse Channel 1104 Streaming media PlayStation Vue IPTV Velocity is an American cable and satellite television network. Owned by Discovery Communications, Velocity primarily broadcasts automotive programming, and is officially targeted towards an `` upscale male '' audience. 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 sister channels ( including Discovery Channel ), as well as other original programs designed to showcase the high - definition format. As its original purpose grew redundant after the introduction of high - definition simulcasts for Discovery 's networks, it re-launched in 2011 as Velocity. As of February 2015, approximately 62.3 million American households ( 53.5 % of households with television ) receive Velocity. Contents 1 History 1.1 As Velocity 2 International versions 3 Programming 3.1 Original 3.2 Acquired 3.3 Upcoming 4 References 5 External links History The network launched nationwide in the United States 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, when Discovery Communications launched HD simulcasts of several sister networks including Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Science and TLC. Programming included shows from Discovery sister networks, such as American Chopper and Animal Planet 's Corwin 's Quest ; in addition to original programming such as Sunrise Earth, which featured ambient background visuals of the outdoors without narration or storytelling, and history - focused titles such as When Dinosaurs Roamed America and Before We Ruled the Earth. As Velocity With the proliferation of HD simulcast channels, by 2011 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 ; and the re-launch took place on October 4, 2011. Aimed primarily at an `` upscale male '' audience, the network focuses primarily on automotive - oriented programming and other shows of interest to a primarily male audience. 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 ; it will not include TEN 's print brands, but there will be opportunities for cross-promotion. International versions A Canadian version of Velocity, known as Discovery Velocity, launched on February 12, 2015. The channel was, originally, the Canadian version of Discovery HD Theater, and had been branded as Discovery World immediately prior. In some markets, Discovery operates similarly - themed channels known as Discovery Turbo ( Asia - Pacific, Latin America, UK / Ireland ) and DTX ( Europe, except UK / Ireland ), which feature a similar focus on automotive - themed programs. Programming Original All Girls Garage American Icon : Muscle Car Barrett - Jackson Live Biggest And Baddest Cafe Racer Car Fix Chasing Classic Cars Dallas Car Sharks FantomWorks Inside West Coast Customs Junkyard Empire Kings of Crash Miracle Ball Motorhead Garage TV One of a Kind Patrick Dempsey : Racing Le Mans RMD Garage Saw Dogs South Beach Classics Turn n ' Burn Unique Rides What 's In The Barn ? What 's My Car Worth ? Wheels That Fail Tech Toys 360 Acquired All Star Dealers American Hot Rod Car Crazy Desert Car Kings Destroyed in Seconds Eurosport on Velocity Fat and Furious Fifth Gear Get Out Alive Graveyard Carz HowStuffWorks I Could Do That ! Kidnap & Rescue MotorWeek Nature 's Deadliest Overhaulin ' Stacey David 's GearZ Some Assembly Required The Detonators UFO 's Over Earth Verminators Weird or What ? Wheeler Dealers Wheeler Dealers : Trading Up World 's Most Expensive Rides How It 's Made : Dream Cars Upcoming The Auto Firm with Alex Vega West Coast Customs References Jump up ^ Seidman, Robert ( February 22, 2015 ). `` List of how many homes each cable network is in as of February 2015 ''. TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved March 14, 2015. Jump up ^ Sherrard, Kevin ( April 16, 2002 ). `` Discovery to Launch HD Theater ''. HDTV in Oklahoma. Jump up ^ `` Cablevision News Releases & Press Releases Cablevision Cable TV ''. www.cablevision.com. Retrieved 2016 - 05 - 15. Jump up ^ Mcknight, Jenna M. ( 2006 - 10 - 15 ). `` The Sun Always Rises on HDTV ''. The New York Times. ISSN 0362 - 4331. Retrieved 2016 - 05 - 15. Jump up ^ Inc., Discovery Communications,. `` Discovery Communications, Inc. Launches Discovery HD Theater ( TM ), A New 24 - Hour High - Definition Television Channel ''. www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2016 - 05 - 15. Jump up ^ `` CHANGING CHANNELS : HI to H2, HDTheater to Velocity ''. www.tvworthwatching.com. Retrieved 2016 - 05 - 15. Jump up ^ Richmond, Ray ( July 29, 2011 ). `` TCA : Discovery Sets Launch Date For Velocity, Adds Big Names to ' Curiosity ', Preps Science Channel 's ' Trek Nation ', Introduces ' Weed ' Team ''. Deadline Hollywood. Jump up ^ Gorman, Bill ( April 14, 2011 ). `` Discovery Communications Introduces Velocity -- A Turbocharged Network For An Upscale Male Audience ''. TV by the Numbers. Jump up ^ D.M. Levine ( April 18, 2011 ). `` Discovery Launches Velocity Channel, Aimed at Rich Men ''. Adweek. Jump up ^ Lawler, Richard ( Apr 14, 2011 ). `` Discovery HD Theater is becoming Velocity, focuses on programming for ' upscale male audience ' ''. Engadget. Jump up ^ Evans, Greg ( August 3, 2017 ). `` Discovery Communications Partners With TEN Network For Auto Portfolio ''. Deadline. Retrieved September 18, 2017. Jump up ^ `` High Stakes Adventure, Precision Machines, Raw Power : Specialty Service Discovery Velocity Launches February 12 ''. Press release. Retrieved 20 January 2015. Jump up ^ Bibel, Sara ( June 27, 2013 ). `` ' Dallas Car Sharks ' to Premiere Tuesday, July 23 on Velocity ''. TV by the Numbers. ^ Jump up to : Kondolojy, Amanda ( June 4, 2013 ). `` Velocity Launches Two Original Series Beginning in June ''. TV by the Numbers. Jump up ^ Bibel, Sara ( September 7, 2012 ). `` Documentary ' Miracle Ball ' to Premiere Saturday, September 29 on Velocity ''. TV by the Numbers. Jump up ^ `` Patrick Dempsey Chases the World 's Best Drivers and Past Racing Legends in ' Patrick Dempsey : Racing Le Mans ' on Velocity ''. TV by the Numbers. June 20, 2013. Jump up ^ `` '' Eurosport on Velocity '' Brings the Best of Europe 's Largest Sports Television Network to the United States for the First Time Ever ``. The Futon Critic ( Press release ). September 16, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013. Jump up ^ Bibel, Sara ( June 26, 2013 ). `` ' Wheeler Dealers : Trading Up ' to Premiere July 10 on Velocity ''. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 25, 2013. External links Official website Discovery Communications Ownership Discovery Communications, Inc. ; affiliated with Advance Publications ; and John S. Hendricks, the Company 's Founder and Chairman United States and Canadian Channels American Heroes Animal Planet Destination America Discovery Discovery en Español Discovery Familia ( U.S. Spanish ) Discovery Family Discovery Life Investigation Discovery Canada ( licensed ) Oprah Winfrey Network Canada ( licensed ) Science TLC Velocity Discovery Digital Networks CTV Specialty TV ( Canada ) Animal Planet Discovery Discovery Science Discovery Velocity Asia Pacific Animal Planet Asia Australia and New Zealand India Discovery Asia Australia and New Zealand India Discovery Kids India Australia Discovery Science Discovery Turbo Australia India New Zealand DMAX DSPORT ( India ) Eurosport Eurosport News Eve Food TV ( New Zealand ) Investigation Discovery ( India ) Living Channel ( New Zealand ) Setanta Sports Asia TLC Asia Australia and New Zealand India Discovery Jeet Benelux Animal Planet Discovery Discovery Showcase HD Discovery Science Discovery World Eurosport 1 Eurosport 2 Investigation Discovery TLC Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa ( CEEMEA ) Animal Planet Europe, Middle East & Africa Germany Poland Turkey Canal+ Discovery ( Poland ) Discovery Africa Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein Hungary Middle East Poland Romania Russia Turkey Discovery Family ( EMEA ) Discovery Life ( Poland ) Discovery Showcase HD Discovery Historia ( Poland ) Discovery Science Discovery Travel & Living DKids DLife DMAX Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein MENA DTX Eurosport 1 Eurosport 2 Eurosport 360 Eurosport News Fatafeat IDX Investigation Discovery Metro ( Poland ) Quest Arabiya TLC Germany Poland Latin America / U.S. Hispanic Animal Planet Discovery Discovery Civilization Discovery Home & Health Discovery Kids Discovery Science Discovery Theater Discovery Turbo Discovery World ETC ( Chile ) Investigação Discovery ( Brazil ) Investigation Discovery Mega ( Chile ) TLC Nordic 6'eren ( Denmark ) Animal Planet Canal 9 ( Denmark ) Discovery Denmark Finland Norway Sweden Discovery Science Discovery World Eurosport 1 Eurosport 2 Eurosport N ( Norway ) Eurosport Pluss ( Norway ) FEM ( Norway ) Frii ( Finland ) Investigation Discovery Kanal 4 ( Denmark ) Kanal 5 Denmark Sweden Kanal 9 ( Sweden ) Kanal 11 ( Sweden ) Kutonen ( Finland ) Max ( Norway ) TLC Norway Sweden TV5 ( Finland ) TVNorge ( Norway ) VOX ( Norway ) Southern Europe Animal Planet ( Italy ) Discovery France Italy Portugal Discovery Travel & Living ( Italy ) Discovery Science France Italy DKiss ( Spain ) DMAX Italy Spain Eurosport 1 Eurosport 2 Eurosport 360 ( France ) Eurosport News Frisbee ( Italy ) Giallo ( Italy ) Investigation Discovery ( France ) Discovery Family ( France ) K2 ( Italy ) NOVE ( Italy ) Real Time ( Italy ) Vivolta ( France ) UK and Ireland Animal Planet Discovery Discovery History Discovery Home & Health Discovery Science Discovery Turbo Discovery World DMAX Eurosport 1 Eurosport 2 Investigation Discovery Quest Quest Red TLC Other `` I Love the World '' Former 3net Canal 8 Sport Discovery Channel Radio Discovery Geschichte Discovery Health Channel Discovery Home & Health Southeast Asia Discovery Kids Canada Discovery Kids United Kingdom Discovery Kids on NBC Discovery Networks Northern Europe Discovery People Discovery Real Time France Discovery Real Time UK and Ireland Discovery Travel & Living UK and Ireland Discovery Turbo Asia Discovery Wings Eurosport 2 Xtra Eurosport DK FitTV Fyi Canada GXT HowStuffWorks Ready Set Learn ! SBS Radio Nordic Travel Channel PixL Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Velocity_(TV_network)&oldid=828174074 '' Categories : Discovery Communications English - language television stations in the United States Television channels and stations established in 2002 2002 establishments in the United States Hidden categories : All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from June 2013 Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español Polski Português Edit links This page was last edited on 1 March 2018, at 00 : 06. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: what channel is the velocity channel on direct tv
Answer: Channel 281