People are just realising what TV channel TLC actually stands for

People are only just finding out what the TV channel TLC stands for and I admit to being completely incorrect about it, too.

The channel first launched back in the 1980s and is probably best known for airing reality TV shows including Say Yes to the Dress, sMothered, Toddlers and Tiaras, 90 Day Fiancé and My 600-lb Life.

Although initially launched in just the US, TLC is now available across the globe, including in the UK.

But while you might be familiar with the channel, you might be less aware about what the acronym TLC actually stands for.

If you're anything like me, you may have assumed that TLC stood for the more common use of those letters - 'tender loving care'.

However, if you did, you’re wrong. Because when the channel was initially launched it was named The Learning Channel, and mainly focussed on shows about education and learning.

However, when it got bought out by the Discovery Channel in the 1990s, The Learning Channel started to broadcast more reality-based lifestyle shows so it’s official name was phased out and replaced with the acronym TLC.

Kristoffer Tripplaar/Alamy Stock Photo

If you had no idea, then don’t feel too bad, because plenty of other people are in the same boat.

Posting on Twitter, one viewer said: “Got to know TLC stands for The Learning Channel and idk [I don’t know] how to process this information.”

Another wrote: “You're telling me, TLC -the TV network- stands for The Learning Channel and NOT the common alphabetism, meaning ‘tender loving care’?” I sure am.

While someone else added: “Just found out TLC stands for ‘The Learning Channel’ and not tender loving care?” I’m as shocked as anyone, mate.

TLC

A fourth said: “I was today years old when I found out that TLC stands for The Learning Channel.”

Oh and while we’re down this TLC rabbit hole together, you may also be interested to know that the 1990s hip-hop girl group TLC’s name is also not an acronym of tender loving care.

The group’s name was actually derived from the first name of its members - Tionne Watkins, Lisa ‘Left-Eye’ Lopes and Crystal Jones.

When Jones left, Rozonda Thomas joined the group, but her name didn’t begin with a C. To avoid changing the names, the trio used nicknames with Watkins becoming T-Boz, Lopes shifting to Left-Eye and Thomas becoming Chilli. I reckon that’s quite enough learning for one day.

Topics: TV And Film

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at Tyla who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats.