Science Channel announces new shows
David
IN NETWORK HISTORY
-- Programming Slate for 2009-2010 Upfront Slate Announced --
(New York, NY) Building upon the successful launch of the new
programming strategy in fourth quarter 2008, Science Channel's 2009-10
Upfront Season features a record number of original series and
specials, an expanded emphasis on the network's robust talent pool and
a new emphasis in simultaneously streamed viewing.
A cornerstone of the network's mission to make science thrilling,
entertaining and surprising is adding new experts and unexpected
personalities to its robust base of specialists, hosts and presenters.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2010, Science Channel will premiere
a major new series about the mysteries of the universe created and
hosted by space enthusiast and Academy Award-winning actor Morgan
Freeman. And in the fourth quarter of 2009, Academy, Emmy and Tony
Award-winning actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg joins the network
as executive producer of Science Channel's first-ever game show. Also
in fourth quarter of 2009, Science Channel brings SCI Q Sunday's host
Michio Kaku's New York Times best-selling book "Physics of the
Impossible" vividly to life in an original series.
Adding to the passionate audience's viewing experience, Science
Channel will offer a new "simul-stream" experience on select programs,
including the quiz show Head Games (wt). These special offerings will
allow fans to simultaneously play along and screen multiple levels of
information through online, mobile and traditional on-air experiences.
The network will pilot this offering beginning in the fourth quarter
of 2009.
Science Channel will also premiere quarterly specials that showcase
significant, powerful and life-changing current events from around the
globe through quick turn-around "instamentaries" and live events.
These specials give in-depth context to major breakthroughs, findings
and discoveries, bringing viewers to the forefront of what's next
following events such as NASA missions, natural disasters, global news
and more.
"With a historic commitment to original programming and an unyielding
dedication to growing a diverse slate of experts and personalities,
Science Channel speaks to a very broad audience of engaged viewers,"
said Deborah Adler Myers, senior vice president, programming,
Discovery Emerging Networks. "The U.S. is going through an exciting
renaissance in science, bolstered by the President's commitment to
return science to its rightful place, and Science Channel is proud to
be an important part of the national conversation about how science
fundamentally changes all of our lives."
The highlights of Science Channel's 200910 Upfront schedule include:
NEW SERIES
HEAD GAMES (wt)
In Science Channel's first-ever game show, created by executive
producer Whoopi Goldberg and her production company Whoop Inc,
contestants bet the bank that they know the answers to some of
science's craziest riddles. The "reel" stars of this show are the
peculiar video clips used to showcase unexpected science trivia - from
nature's oddities to startling lab experiments, HEAD GAMES (wt) will
leave viewers learning and laughing.
PHYSICS OF THE IMPOSSIBLE
Based on the New York Times best-selling book, "Physics of the
Impossible," Dr. Michio Kaku takes viewers to the frontiers of science
with an authoritative exploration of the world of phasers, force
fields, teleportation, time travel and more. He investigates the
physics behind some of science fiction's wildest offerings and
concludes that many of the technologies once thought impossible may
actually be inevitable.
THROUGH THE WORMHOLE WITH MORGAN FREEMAN
Academy Award-winning actor and space enthusiast Morgan Freeman
executive produces, hosts and narrates this exploration of the
greatest mysteries of the universe. This new series, produced by
Freeman's Revelations Entertainment, seeks the answers to the big
questions: Are we alone? Where did we come from? Is there life on
other planets? From the latest work at NASA and private enterprise
facilities to the latest theories from futurists and physicists, this
series looks at black holes, colonizing the planets, string theory and
more. Science Channel invites viewers on the journey as Morgan Freeman
picks up where Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" left off and explores the new
frontiers of what is beyond earth.
THE WORLD WITHOUT
The premise is simple: what would the world be like if one key element
we take for granted every day was removed? In this new series, hosted
by geographer and ecologist Ellie Harrison, viewers will find out how
the planet would respond if cockroaches, death, snakes, sunlight,
earth's natural rotation, wind and more were suddenly taken from daily
life. How would the earth change over a period of one year, 100 years
and 10,000 years if it were suddenly void of one ingredient?
HOW MACHINES WORK
This series takes an intriguing look inside the massive machines and
structures that populate the planet. Each episode dives into the inner
workings and sophisticated designs behind jumbo jet aircraft,
hydroelectric generators, space shuttles, sophisticated robotic
manufacturing machines and more.
FRINGE SCIENCE
Drawing on the work of science visionaries throughout history, this
series takes viewers on a journey into the next century. Introducing
passionate, classically trained scientists who now spend their lives
trying to explain the extreme reaches of science, Science Channel
explores, examines and experiments with the scientific theories on the
outskirts of accepted science, seeking explanations to the world's
most bizarre and unexplained phenomenon.
SUPERHUMANS
From god-like strength and synesthesia to magnetism and telekinesis,
this groundbreaking series reveals the amazing stories of real people
with extraordinary super powers. These super human abilities
completely confound our understanding of what it is to be human, how
we use our senses and what the limits to our natural abilities are.
NEW SPECIALS
PUNKIN CHUNKIN 2009
For more than 20 memorable years the Delaware-based "World
Championship Punkin Chunkin" has hit the skies. And Science Channel is
honoring the backyard engineers who turn pumpkins into projectiles
with an inside look at the high flying, far-flung action of the annual
championship competition. This year's coverage will feature an
additional special On the Road To Punkin Chunkin (wt) as the network
examines competitors in their workshops to see how they create their
monsters of engineering.
BRINK'S YEAR IN SCIENCE
Science Channel's BRINK takes a look back at the breakthroughs and
innovations from the world of science in 2009. Which new idea or
discovery will prove to be the most life-changing? What were the
seminal moments, who are the people behind the discoveries and how did
they do it? YEAR IN SCIENCE will answer these questions as it brings
viewers up close to the most incredible scientific research.
CANE TOADS
Cane Toads (or Bufo Marinus) are native to Central America, but were
imported by the hundreds to Australia in 1935 in an attempt to rid the
country of the Greyback beetle which was rapidly destroying the
sugarcane crop. The Cane Toads adapted beautifully to their new
surroundings. The problem was that the Greyback beetle could fly and
the Cane Toad could not. What the Cane Toad is unusually proficient
at, however, is reproducing by the thousands. Now, Science Channel has
teamed with documentary filmmaker Mark Lewis to tell the story of the
Cane Toads' amphibious assault on Australia.
SPACE WEEK
As THE home for space programming, Science Channel brings you to the
one place where the sky isn't the limitit's just the beginning. In our
fourth annual SPACE WEEK, viewers continue a fascinating exploration
of one of the last mysterious, awe-inspiring places (un)known to man
through in-depth programming on Science Channel, as well as
information-rich, interactive experiences online at
sciencechannel.com.
RETURNING SERIES
BRINK
Airing weekly, this series immerses viewers on the frontlines of
cutting-edge breakthroughs in technology, research, inventions,
discoveries and the mysteries of the scientific world. BRINK meets
people who are on the brink of changing our lives, provides viewers
with a clear understanding of the impact and relevance science has in
our lives today, and offers significant insights into how science may
profoundly change our world tomorrow.
HOW IT'S MADE
Science Channel's hit series is back! From binoculars and tortilla
chips to baseballs and harmonicas, find out how many of the everyday
objects we seldom stop to think about become the things they are. In
each episode of this series, you'll be amazed to see how common items
are manufactured in high-tech factories around the world.
SCIENCE OF THE MOVIES
Host Nar Williams lifts the veil on the science behind moviegoers'
favorite films, taking viewers inside the special effects of upcoming
blockbusters. Each one-hour episode goes into the world of moviemaking
to break down the technology and science of the business, through
behind-the-scenes footage, as well as exclusive one-on-one interviews
with the visionaries responsible for creating magic movie moments.
POPULAR SCIENCE: THE FUTURE OF
Science Channel is partnering with Popular Science magazine to bring
viewers a rare glimpse of the extraordinary scientific and
technological advancements that will shape the way we live in the next
25 years. Each episode will examine one aspect of human life including
play, security, pleasure, war and superhuman ability, and uncover the
cutting-edge research, maverick scientists and genius prototypes
driving our future world.
CATCH IT/KEEP IT
This irreverent and enlightening competition pits a team of
engineering and mechanical gurus in a race against time to save a
remarkable grand prize from impending destruction. In each episode,
the team can only keep that prize if they figure out how to protect it
from being annihilated by a diabolical scheme, including: a 50-foot
fall from a crane; a dynamite explosion; or a 10,000-gallon flood of
water. Each team will have only hours to invent, build, test, and
finally, implement their rescue plan, and will either walk away with a
prize or with tiny pieces of it.
About Science Channel
Science Channel is broadcast 24 hours a day and seven days a week to
more than 56 million U.S. homes and simulcast on Science Channel HD.
We immerse viewers in the incredible possibilities of science, from
string theory and futuristic cities to accidental discoveries and
outrageous inventions. We take things apart, peer inside and put
things together in new and unexpected ways. We celebrate the trials,
errors and brinking moments that change our lives forever. To find out
more go to www.sciencechannel.com.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's
number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion
cumulative subscribers in 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to
explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus
worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet,
Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater,
as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and
a diversified portfolio of digital media services including
HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit
www.discoverycommunications.com.
