Offering Canada’s best factual entertainment lineup, Discovery Channel announced today its Fall schedule highlights, including the launch of four brand-new series, new specials, and the return of fan-favourites. Ranked as the #1 Media Brand in Canada* and #1 channel for overall Viewer Satisfaction**, Discovery Channel heads into Fall from a position of strength. And – for the first time – Discovery Channel launches its Fall schedule in High Definition on a new parallel HD service, allowing viewers to experience the full spectrum of Discovery’s programming showcased in breathtaking HD. This Fall on Discovery Channel HD, the explosions will be bigger, the beasts more ferocious, and the expanses of our planet – and beyond! – will be more awe-inspiring and thrilling than ever before. (Note: Specific details about the HD launch and roll out will be announced separately.)
Today, Discovery Channel reveals its plans for an incredible 17th season of DAILY PLANET, naming biologist Dan Riskin as the flagship series’ new co-host, joining Ziya Tong, when the nightly program returns and unveils a brand-new look, in HD. Also this Fall, Discovery Channel is set to premiere three brand-new original Canadian series – in as many weeks! Watch for NATURAL BORN DEALERS, PRANK SCIENCE and GAME CHANGERS starting in mid-September, plus new seasons of runaway hits like CANADA’S WORST DRIVER and MAYDAY. Discovery Channel’s Fall lineup leads a dynamic portfolio representing the best and boldest factual entertainment in the world. New season highlights for Animal Planet, Discovery World HD, Investigation Discovery and Discovery Science follow below; these services will also launch HD simulcast channels by the end of the year.
Launching a 17th season with a new look, new set, new co-host – and, for the first time, in HD! – DAILY PLANET explores the world’s most fascinating people and stories. Biologist and all-around curious guy, Dan Riskin joins Ziya Tong as DAILY PLANET returns, serving up wonderful, weird and totally water-cooler worthy stories from around the world. Feed your need for speed with race cars and rocket ships; be inspired by the newest generation of inventors and adventurers; check out the gadgets, gizmos and tech toys that will change our world; and be in the know with DAILY PLANET’s all-access pass to everything cool, quirky and incredible.
Four brand-new series join the Discovery Channel lineup this Fall – and three of these new programs are Canadian! PRANK SCIENCE is a street-level gag show, where two hosts reveal truly surprising science through hilarious, never-before-seen prank experiments; GAME CHANGERS reveals that the inventor spirit is alive and well, meeting science’s undiscovered Wright Brothers toiling away in obscurity on inventions that are on the cusp of being the “next big thing”; and NATURAL BORN DEALERS joins a father-and-son treasure hunting team as they scour pawnshops – and even dumps – to find vintage gems for their upscale clientele. An instant hit when it premiered in the U.S., Discovery Channel will also debut SWAMP BROTHERS an insiders look at an exotic and swampy world in Florida where Stephen and Robbie Keszey run Glades Herp Farms, the state’s largest reptile sanctuary and exotic reptile dealership… AND the world’s largest venomous snake breeding farm.
Appointment viewing at its best, Sunday nights’ “Discovery Presents” block features the most remarkable specials from Canada and around the world – and this season’s offerings are no exception. More than five years in the works, CURIOSITY is a series of unique and distinct specials that will air through the Fall, addressing the world’s most compelling questions: Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could live forever? What would happen if aliens attacked? Why sex is fun? Hosted by world-renowned talent and experts including Dr. Stephen Hawking, Adam Savage and Morgan Freeman among others, CURIOSITY goes to extremes to uncover answers that will surprise even the most curious among us. Also this Fall, watch for DRAIN THE GREAT LAKES, an ambitious two-hour Canadian special that reveals a hidden world under the surface of the largest bodies of fresh water: through stunning CGI, see what the Great Lakes depths’ conceal, as if the water has simply been drained away, detailing the shape, size and features of the underwater area.
Discovery Channel presents new seasons of returning marquee series that have helped build and define the channel. Ready to hit the road, the country’s top A18-49 non-sports specialty program, CANADA’S WORST DRIVER, merges back on to the schedule with an all-Canadian maple-flavoured seventh season written and hosted by Andrew Younghusband; and CASH CAB heads west for the first time as host Adam Growe challenges Vancouverites with science and general knowledge trivia – with a cash prize on the line. From street to sky, Discovery Channel takes flight this Fall with compelling human drama and detailed aviation science with new seasons of FLYING WILD ALASKA and MAYDAY. And for gruelling work back on terra firma, Mike Rowe logs a few more miles in other peoples’ workboots with new episodes of DIRTY JOBS; prospectors try their luck with the return of GOLD RUSH; SWAMP LOGGERS make a living where few would dare; and Bear Grylls… well, he just tries to survive another season of MAN VS. WILD! If you’ve ever looked at an ordinary object and wondered how, exactly, it was produced, watch for new seasons of HOW IT’S MADE – and then if you want to test that object and push it to its limits in the name of science, the masters of irreverent experiments, are back with new episodes of MYTHBUSTERS . AMERICAN CHOPPER is revved up, SONS OF GUNS is locked and loaded, and AUCTION KINGS is ready for opening bids when these series return to Discovery Channel this Fall.
Premiere Dates at a Glance:
~ confirmed dates only ~
DAILY PLANET – Mon. to Fri. beginning Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. ET
CASH CAB – Sat. Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. ET
NATURAL BORN DEALERS – Mon., Sept. 12 at 10 p.m. ET
HOW IT’S MADE – Tues. Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. ET
SWAMP BROTHERS – Tues., Sept. 13 at 10 p.m. ET
PRANK SCIENCE – Mon., Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. ET
GAME CHANGERS (wt) – Tues., Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. ET
CANADA’S WORST DRIVER – Mon., Oct. 24 at 10 p.m. ET
ANIMAL PLANET
Available in almost two million Canadian households, Animal Planet is the only animal entertainment brand that captures the drama and compelling characters of the animal kingdom. From the most perilous encounters with nature’s fiercest predators to the pets we bring into our own family, Animal Planet brings out the character behind every creature and shares the story behind every behaviour.
From the creepy to the cuddly, Animal Planet presents captivating new series and special this Fall. First, meet New York’s toughest exterminators Jimmy Tallman and Michael Morales as they scour the Big Apple’s 480 square kilometres ridding the city of millions of rodents in RAT BUSTERS NYC; the clash between man and beast continues with NED BRUHA: SKUNK WHISPERER , as Bruha’s team captures home-invading critters – from raccoons and possums to bats and even mountain lions – without traps or lethal measures, and returns the homes to their human owners. Also this Fall, meet the Venom One team, an elite group of specially trained fire fighter/paramedics within Miami-Dade Fire Rescue assigned to take down killer snakes and rushes against the clock to deliver life-saving anti-venoms in SWAMP WARS. But what if the animal “issue” isn’t infestation, but human fear? In a new special, MY EXTREME ANIMAL PHOBIA profiles individuals debilitated by an irrational fear of animals who, under the guidance of psychologist Dr. Robin Zasio, undergo intense exposure therapy to face their worst animal fears. And finally, new TOO CUTE! KITTENS and TOO CUTE! PUPPIES follow the first weeks of life for new kitten and puppy litters, from first steps to daring pounces.
DISCOVERY WORLD HD
With original content not found anywhere else, Discovery World HD is home to breathtaking landscapes, fascinating people and incredible stories from around the world. Offering an unparalleled sensory experience that explores life’s most amazing journeys, Discovery World HD reveals the wonders of the world – past and present – with themes ranging from culture, science and natural history to travel and lifestyle.
From the outer-reaches of the universe to the inner workings of our planet – and the cities, jungles, and creatures that call Earth home – Discovery World HD offers an extraordinary lineup this Fall.WONDERS OF THE UNIVERSE explains the vast and unfathomable phenomena of deep space by re-examining the familiar on Earth: light, gravity, time, matter and energy are the fundamental building blocks of everything from the smallest microbe to the biggest galaxy. Then, in an epic, two-hour special, X-RAY EARTH reveals the planet as it’s never been seen before, as a living being that breathes, heals and even flexes its muscle. See how far we’ve come when FILTHY CITIES explores medieval London, revolutionary Paris and 19th century New York; then embark on an epic adventure as two Brits set out to walk the entire length of the Amazon rainforest – a 9,650km, two-and-a-half year physical and cultural journey – in WALKING THE AMAZON. Also this Fall, ANIMAL AUTOPSY: SQUID examines this monster of the deep.
INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY
With a deeper look into the world of crime, forensics, paranormal investigation and modern mysteries, Investigation Discovery reveals the fascinating human potential for good and evil. Since rebranding last year (from Court TV), Investigation Discovery has enjoyed explosive audience growth across all key demos – including 5X increase for W18-49.
Investigation Discovery heads into its second season this Fall with more thrilling twists and turns of real-life investigation. STALKED: SOMEBODY’S WATCHING follows the dramatic and emotional stories of stalking victims and the twisted psychology of the people who relentlessly pursue them; while HOSTAGE: DO OR DIE explores the world of hijackings, kidnappings, and standoffs through a collection of harrowing stories told from the perspective of the hostage negotiators, victims, witnesses, and sometimes the criminals themselves. Then, see how the location of a crime can be a central “character” in a criminal case in SINS & SECRETS and how the community is forever changed by the event. Two new series – BIG LAW: DEPUTY BUTTERBEAN and HOMICIDE HUNTER: LT. JOE KENDA – follow law enforcement agents at both ends of the career spectrum, from rookie to seasoned veteran.
DISCOVERY SCIENCE
Where cool and curiosity meet, Discovery Science takes science out of the lab and classroom, revealing its fun and relevant applications in everyday life. Discovery Science explores the quirky side of technology, human progress, scientific discoveries and the people behind them.
This Fall, Discovery Science marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with RISE: REBUILDING GROUND ZERO, following the engineering and design team behind the extraordinary effort to reshape Ground Zero into an expansive and uplifting 16-acre complex. Then, see inspiration and vision at work when PROPHETS OF SCIENCE FICTION profiles legendary figures, including Gene Roddenberry and George Lucas, to see how their work often inspired future discoveries decades before they took place. And while reading people, implanting thoughts, predicting behaviour and hacking into the subconscious may sound like science fiction, see how one man does it with the premiere of DECEPTION WITH KEITH BARRY. Also this Fall, a new special, FLYING ANVILS, explores the culture of anvil shooting at the national Anvil Shootout, where fanatic anvil crafters compete to see who can design the most aerodynamic piece of steel and launch it the highest; and new series FACTORY LINE shows how the items we use everyday are produced, driven by mass volume and tight deadlines, such as building 800 trucks in 30 days.
