On September 23, 2014, Hasbro and Discovery Communications amended their relationship with respect to the Hub Network, and Discovery had increased its equity interest in the channel to 60% while Hasbro retained 40%. The change in equity interests was accomplished partly through a redemption of interests owned by Hasbro and partly through the purchase of interests by Discovery from the company, the latter inheriting $64,400 from the former.
Upon launch of the new Discovery Family channel on October 13, the two owners of it entered into an option agreement related to Hasbro's remaining 40% ownership of the channel, which was due within the year 2022, meaning that Hasbro would remain under contract with Discovery for 7-8 more years at the time. The price of the option agreement was based upon 80% of the then fair market value of Discovery Family, subject to a fair market value floor.
One of the first feature-length movies that aired on the new Discovery Family was My Little Pony: Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks, which premiered on October 17, right after the first Equestria Girls film. Most other programs that previously aired on the Hub Network moved here, including My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Thus, newer episodes of that show, starting with Season 5 (the first season of the show's second era), premiered on Discovery Family, on April 4, 2015.
The first full marathon of My Little Pony content aired in December 2016, comprising of all episodes from Seasons 1–6 and all four Equestria Girls films to date.
The series finale of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic premiered on October 12, 2019, followed by the last Equestria Girls special, Holidays Unwrapped, on November 2, 2019.
Despite now being owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, Discovery Family still continues to air some of Hasbro's shows during daytime hours, including My Little Pony. However, the official website was discontinued on September 24, 2022. This happened because in the option agreement due within that year, Hasbro and Discovery decided to extend their agreement to March 31, 2025, thus allowing Hasbro's shows to continue airing on Discovery Family for another three years. The price of the option agreement remains at 80% of the then fair market value of the channel.
Programming[]
Besides My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, feature-length films from most of America's six major film studios have also aired on Discovery Family, including a few Disney movies.
As of January 11, 2024, every piece of the entire My Little Pony library (except most of Pony Life) has aired on Discovery Family at least once since November 2023.
Gallery[]
Videos[]
My Little Pony season 9 - Teaser
The teaser commercial for Season 9 of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, first seen in late February 2019.
Celebrate the New Year with the Mane 6!
One of the last commercials for My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, seen on Discovery Family since January 2020.
