http://thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/05/21/the-weather-channel-premieres-three-new-series-pyros-iceberg-hunters-and-reefmakers-887204
The Weather Channel Premieres Three New Series, "Pyros," "Iceberg
Hunters" and "Reefmakers"
Network Adds Miniseries to "Braving the Elements" Docu-Series
Anthology
The Weather Channel(C) Companies (TWCC) announced today that it has
greenlit "Pyros," "Iceberg Hunters" and "Reefmakers." The three
miniseries join "Turbine Cowboys," "Iron Men," and "Lights Out"
(premiering Aug. 14) as the latest installments in "Braving the
Elements," a new docu-series anthology revealing the work, subculture
and characters of professions exposed to the elements and impacted by
the weather.
"The appeal of these shows is that they give viewers a look into the
lives of hardworking people who battle the toughest weather conditions
to provide things that we perhaps all take for granted - I think
they'll see these people and their efforts in a whole new light after
watching these shows," said Michael Dingley, senior vice president,
content and development for The Weather Channel.
"PYROS"
"Pyros" follows an elite team of pyro-technicians, led by Maude
Furtado, at Montreal's Groupe Fiatlux-Ampleman who battle greatly
varying weather conditions while producing large-scale fireworks
displays around the world. The group travels to exotic locations,
powering through exhausting schedules and harsh weather, solving
complex technical glitches on the fly, all with the intention to
inspire and entertain the masses with the magic of fireworks. With
tens of thousands of dollars on the line and hundreds of thousands of
people expecting stunning skies, the group has no room for error.
Whether it's lighting off a fully loaded fireworks site by remote,
trying to control explosions in wind just steps away from a crowded
parade route, or the stress of setting up over 10 shows in one day,
"Pyros" shows what it takes to play with fire and not get burned in
the process. Produced by Omni Film Productions Ltd. ("Ice Pilots"),
"Pyros" will feature 8x 60-minute episodes and premieres Tuesday, June
19, at 9 p.m. ET.
"ICEBERG HUNTERS"
Set in the Arctic Circle, "Iceberg Hunters" follows a group of men who
travel through "Iceberg Alley," the world's most densely packed
gathering of icebergs, off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Once out
on the open seas, the crew is at the mercy of Mother Nature, facing
storms, ice sheets, hypothermia-inducing waters, dense fog, rough
seas, and unpredictable massive icebergs. They search for, wrangle and
harvest ice, and bring it back to land for the production of pure
bottled water and vodka. Produced by Rogue State Productions in
association with Lionsgate Television ("Mad Men," "Weeds"), "Iceberg
Hunters" will feature 4x 30-minute episodes and premieres Tuesday,
Sept. 18, at 9 p.m. ET.
"REEFMAKERS"
Set off the Coast of Alabama, "Reefmakers" follows a family of
experienced divers and demolition experts who work to reduce erosion
and pollution and to restore the area's once thriving ecosystem by
creating artificial reefs - sinking everything from a Vietnam-era
plane to a local shrimp boat. The Gulf of Mexico is a breeding ground
for bad weather and conditions that change suddenly. Often battling
hurricane-force winds, these men and women risk life and limb to sink
custom reef systems to enhance the Gulf of Mexico's ecosystem.
Produced by Gurney Productions ("Ragin' Cajuns," "American Guns,")
"Reefmakers" will feature 4x 30-minute episodes and premieres Tuesday,
Oct. 9, at 9 p.m. ET.
The "Braving the Elements" docu-series anthology is part of TWCC's
growing original content lineup, which includes "Coast Guard Alaska,"
"Lifeguard!," and "Ice Pilots," as well as upcoming series "Hurricane
Hunters" (premiering June 11), and "Coast Guard Florida" (Oct. 2012).