DISCOVERY CHANNEL TO AIR ‘EVEREST AVALANCHE TRAGEDY’ ON SUNDAY, MAY 4
‘EVEREST AVALANCHE TRAGEDY’ AIRS ON SUNDAY, MAY 4
April 24, 2014
(Los Angeles, Calif.) - Discovery Channel announced today that it will broadcast a 90-minute documentary, titled EVEREST AVALANCHE TRAGEDY, on Sunday, May 4, at 9 PM ET/PT that will air around the world in 224 countries. It will include unprecedented access and eyewitness accounts from the rescue and recovery efforts that took place after the avalanche struck the Khumbu Icefall, the area just above Mt. Everest base camp, during the morning of Friday, April 18, killing 13 and leaving three missing. Members of an NBC News team were at base camp as they prepared to produce Discovery's live special, EVEREST JUMP LIVE scheduled to air Sunday, May 11, when the avalanche hit. The special would have featured climber Joby Ogwyn's attempt to make the first wing suit flight off the summit of the world's tallest mountain.
"We were at Mt. Everest to make history, but instead we were there as eyewitnesses to history," said Eileen O'Neill, Group President, Discovery, Science and Velocity Networks. "It is essential to tell this story and honor all the Sherpas who lost their lives."
EVEREST AVALANCHE TRAGEDY, produced by NBC News' Peacock Productions, will document the weeks leading up to the climb through the moment the avalanche struck the Khumba Icefall, one of the most treacherous parts of the mountain, and its aftermath. Cameras rolled immediately following, as blocks of ice plummeted down the mountain, making it the deadliest single-day avalanche in history on Mt. Everest.
The documentary will feature highly emotional and real time footage, capturing the mobilization efforts of Sherpas and rescuers as they rushed to search for survivors. Through eyewitness accounts, viewers will hear from those who experienced this horrible tragedy and aftermath including sit down interviews with Joby Ogwyn; Expedition Leader Garrett Madison, who played a critical role in the recovery; Todd Burleson, president of Alpine Ascents International who lost five Sherpas; and other key members of the expedition and production teams.
The documentary will serve as a tribute to all the Sherpas and their families affected by the tragedy. Discovery will be contributing to the American Himalayan Foundation Sherpa Family Fund, which gives 100% of all donations to help families of the deceased. To make a donation, visit http://himalayan-foundation.org/blog/119010.
EVEREST AVALANCHE TRAGEDY is produced by NBC News' Peacock Productions for Discovery. Liz Fischer and Betsy Wagner are Executive Producers with Gretchen Eisele, Colleen Halpin, Benjamin Ringe and Knute Walker. Sharon Scott is President and GM of Peacock Productions. Julie Meisner Eagle serves as Executive Producer for Discovery with Executive Producers Howard Swartz, Denise Contis and Andrew Jackson.
About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 224 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 pay-TV programmer reaching 2.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 220 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through more than 190 worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as U.S. joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and the Hub Network. Across the Nordic region, Discovery owns and operates SBS Discovery Media, a top-three portfolio of television brands that feature leading nonfiction content, as well as locally produced entertainment programs, sports and the best scripted series and movies from major studios. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com .
About Peacock Productions
Peacock Productions is an award-winning, nonfiction production company that combines the editorial expertise, technical resources and seasoned production talent of NBCUniversal. It offers a wide-range of programming to broadcast, cable and digital entities with worldwide reach. To learn more, please visit peacockproductions.tv.
Press Contacts:
U.S.:
Laurie Goldberg, laurie_goldberg@discovery.com, 310-975-1631
Phil Zimmerman, phil_zimmerman@discovery.com, 310-849-9808
International:
Elizabeth Hillman, elizabeth_hillman@discovery.com, 240-461-3053
Cecelia Bender, Cecelia_Bender@discovery.com, 240-662-4268