Discovery Press Web United States

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(Silver Spring, MD) - In each episode of the new anthology series HIDDEN IN AMERICA, Destination America travels behind the veil of secrecy to explore a members-only world. Featuring interviews with individuals directly tied to each group, these first-hand insights reveal little-known facts and breathe a gripping reality into communities largely shrouded in mystery and legend. HIDDEN IN AMERICA "Underground Fight Clubs" premieres on Saturday, March 9 at 10 PM E/P followed by "Mormons" on Sunday, March 10 at 10 PM E/P.

"From centuries-old subcultures with chapters across the U.S. to modern secret societies that exist only through word of mouth to established religions people are curious to know more about, HIDDEN IN AMERICA attempts to pull back the curtain on some of our country's most concealed communities, challenging viewers to reinterpret their idea of what it means to be American," said Marc Etkind, SVP of Content Strategy for Destination America.

The one-hour specials include:

Hidden in America: Underground Fight Clubs
Premieres Saturday, March 9 at 10 PM E/P
From backyard brawls in Silicon Valley to kung fu battles in the backstreets of the Bronx, HIDDEN IN AMERICA investigates the codes and core values of America's underground fight clubs. What drives men to battle their fellow men in unrestricted hand-to-hand combat? Why are some fighting styles outlawed, forcing their proponents to operate in clandestine locations? And with the rise of no-rules Mixed Martial Arts, is America becoming addicted to violence? Experts explore the reasons and hidden desires behind fight club members' primal urges to do battle, and the heavy physical and emotional toll these often unsanctioned clashes can have.

Hidden in America: Mormons
Premieres Sunday, March 10 at 10 PM E/P
Founded by a teenager in the 1820s, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints now has a following 14 million strong in 170 countries. Despite being "made in America," the religion remains mysterious to most Americans, its beliefs often misunderstood and its rituals kept closely hidden. This special delves into the lives of modern-day Mormons, sorting fact from fiction, to discover the truth behind their faith. From its polygamist and controversial roots, the Church has reinvented itself to fit its modern context. Using perspectives from the faith's inner circle - and from those forced onto its fringes - HIDDEN IN AMERICA examines how Mormons have shaped the history of America and what role they may play in its future.

HIDDEN IN AMERICA is produced for Destination America by Beyond Entertainment. For Beyond, John Luscombe is Executive Producer and Senior Vice President of Production. For Destination America, Fay Yu is executive producer, Sara Kozak is SVP of production, Marc Etkind is SVP of content strategy, and Henry Schleiff is president and general manager.

About Destination America
Destination America is the only network to celebrate the people, places, and stories of the United States. The inclusive network targeting Adults 25-54 is available in nearly 59.5 million homes, emblazoning television screens with the grit and tenacity, honesty and work ethic, humor and adventurousness that characterize our nation. Destination America features travel, food, adventure, home, and natural history, with original series like BBQ Pitmasters, United States of Bacon, A Haunting, Cheating Vegas, and Buying Alaska. For more information, please visit DestinationAmerica.com, facebook.com/DestinationAmerica, or twitter.com/DestAmerica. Destination America is part of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.8 billion cumulative subscribers in 209 countries and territories.

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