MotorTrend, the world-renowned automotive channel born in the US, makes its Japan debut, available on Dplay, dTV Channel, and Discovery Channel.
MotorTrend, the automotive channel distributed globally by Discovery Japan, made its debut in Japan on Friday, January 10, 2020.
Founded in the U.S. in 1949, MotorTrend is the world's No. 1 automotive media brand. As a Discovery group brand, it currently captivates car fans worldwide by offering a wide range of programs, from entertainment to reality, through its TV channel and digital distribution.
※Source: comScore MRI Multiplatform Fusion (01-18/F17) survey, 2018
To commemorate this launch, MotorTrend will be added as a new channel on the video streaming service Dplay starting Friday, January 10.https://dplay.jp/Additionally, the automotive and motorcycle channel previously distributed as "Discovery TURBO" on dTV Channel, offered by NTT Docomo,https://dch.dmkt-sp.jp/will be renamed "MotorTrend."
Furthermore, on the CS broadcast Discovery Channel, the existing Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM program "Motor Hour" will be renamed "MotorTrend" starting Saturday, February 1. Programs such as "Wheeler Dealers" and "Fast N' Loud" will continue to be broadcast under the "MotorTrend" brand.
As new MotorTrend programs, "Rally Nippon: The Collector's Cars 2019" (5 episodes), an original Japanese production, began streaming on Dplay and dTV Channel on Friday, January 10. Dplay will also exclusively stream eight new original series making their Japan debut, including "Roadkill" and "Hot Rod Garage" (Japanese title undecided), with a total of over 400 new episodes planned for expansion within 2020.
Moreover, through a collaboration with Sunpros Inc. (Shinjuku, Tokyo; President: Isao Saitada), the organizer of the premier drift competition "D1 GRAND PRIX" (hereinafter referred to as D1GP), a variety of D1GP-related content is planned for distribution on the MotorTrend channel of the video streaming service Dplay.
To celebrate the launch of MotorTrend, Discovery Channel will hold a gift campaign from Saturday, February 1, to Friday, March 20, offering a chance to win premium goods with the MotorTrend logo to 50 winners selected by lottery.https://www.discoverychannel.jp/Details regarding application methods can be found on the website starting Saturday, February 1.
Discovery Japan plans to continue providing compelling content to its Japanese audience by effectively leveraging its extensive global content resources.
Featured MotorTrend Programs
■ Rally Nippon: The Collector's Cars 2019
Program Synopsis: Classic cars, hailed as masterpieces of civilization and works of art, gather from around the world to tour Japan's World Heritage sites and cultural landmarks in RALLY NIPPON. This year, held in Kyushu with a spirit of recovery from disaster, 61 cars showcased their brilliance. "Rally Nippon: The Collector's Cars 2019" meticulously introduces five carefully selected cars from the event, set against the backdrop of Japan's scenic landscapes.
(5 episodes, 5 minutes each)
Streaming Schedule: Streaming begins on Dplay Friday, January 10. On dTV Channel, daily from 6:55 PM to 7:00 PM starting Friday, January 10, and other times.
■ Wheeler Dealers: Classic Cars - Season 14
Program Synopsis: This series follows the entire process of buying, restoring, and selling used classic cars. Experienced car dealer Mike Brewer teams up with the multi-talented mechanic Ant Anstead to find and repair iconic vehicles, then sell them for a profit at their Los Angeles shop. They restore the cars' former glory through repainting, part replacements, and all types of repairs.
Streaming Schedule: New season streaming begins on dTV Channel from Friday, January 10. Daily from 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM, and other times.
■ Fast N' Loud - Season 6
Program Synopsis: At Gas Monkey Garage in Dallas, Texas, skilled mechanics bring dilapidated classic cars back to life. A highly anticipated new season of this popular series, which follows their exploits, is here! This season features commissions from major stars and clients, along with big projects. Rare and valuable cars make frequent appearances as the mechanics strive to complete the coolest vehicles. Richard aims to take Gas Monkey Garage to the next level. (120 min x 1 episode, 60 min x 4 episodes, new season)
Broadcast Schedule: Premieres Wednesday, February 5, at 9:00 PM on Discovery Channel. (From the following week, every Wednesday at 10:00 PM, and other times).


About dTV Channel®
A subscription-based service offering unlimited access to channels, provided by NTT Docomo, Inc. With a smartphone or tablet and an internet connection, users can watch real-time broadcasts from approximately 30 specialized channels, including movies, dramas, anime, and hobbies, without the need for special equipment.
® "dTV Channel" is a registered trademark of NTT Docomo, Inc.
About MotorTrend
MotorTrend is the world's No. 1 automotive media brand, founded in Los Angeles, USA, in 1949. As a Discovery group brand, it currently offers automotive content from the U.S. and around the world, captivating passionate car fans through its TV channel and digital distribution. Furthermore, it delivers a wide range of car-related programs, from entertainment to reality, featuring professional, exciting, and passionate personalities. Programs broadcast on Japan's Discovery Channel, such as "Wheeler Dealers" and "Fast N' Loud," are also included as MotorTrend brand content.
About Discovery Japan Inc.
The Japanese subsidiary of Discovery Communications. Discovery Channel began broadcasting in the U.S. in June 1985. Currently broadcasting in over 220 countries and regions in approximately 50 languages, it is one of the world's largest non-fiction media companies, reaching billions of households globally. As a global leader in real-life entertainment, Discovery broadcasts over 8,000 hours of original programming annually, captivating a large fan base worldwide across various genres. In recent years, it has actively expanded into the entertainment business, focusing on Eurosport and Discovery Kids. In Japan, Discovery Channel began its CS broadcast in 1997, followed by Animal Planet in 2000. In September 2019, it launched the video streaming service "Dplay."
Discovery Japan PR Office Attn: Hirai, Yoda, Ishii discovery-japan@vectorinc.co.jp
Tel. 03-5572-7334
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000091.000027683.html