Discovery Press Web United States

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(New York, New York) – The Internet and social media are built on cute and cuddly animals, and Animal Planet is set to deliver the most interactive and adorable online content and experiences in conjunction with PUPPY BOWL X, premiering Sunday, February 2, from 3-5 PM (ET/PT) and repeating all day and night with exciting new content every hour. And this year, all six airings of PUPPY BOWL X will surprise viewers at the end of the game as fans vote in real time for which puppy will take home the coveted title of MVP (Most Valuable Puppy). Building on last year’s record-breaking ratings, online traffic and social buzz, the network introduces two exciting firsts – the PUPPY BOWL X Fantasy Game and #PuppyBowl fan Instagrams live on TV throughout the broadcast.

Starting today, visitors to AnimalPlanet.com/PuppyBowl can have the pick of the litter and draft their ideal puppy team after examining the profiles of 11 all-star players in the PUPPY BOWL X Fantasy Game. Come PUPPY BOWL Sunday, armchair canine coaches can track their team’s touchdowns and fumbles with Animal Planet’s online leaderboard.

In another first, Animal Planet invites viewers to be a part of the annual event by submitting pictures during their PUPPY BOWL parties – from pets enjoying the big game to people cheering on their favorite pooches – using the #PuppyBowl hashtag on Instagram. A crack team of cuteness experts will be reviewing the pics throughout the telecast and featuring the most crushworthy live on air through11 PM (ET) on game day.

“PUPPY BOWL, like most epic sporting events, is a genuine social phenomenon and we're taking full advantage of that by offering multiplatform experiences – like our Fantasy Game – that use social media to make PUPPY BOWL even more fun to watch for millions of viewers," said Miguel Monteverde, Vice President of Digital Media, Discovery Communications. “We look forward to ensuring that Animal Planet’s most anticipated and most social day of the year is even bigger and to bringing viewers even closer to the furry action.”

The furry online fun extends across platforms with even more new and returning features:

• Most Valuable Puppy: In a new twist this year, viewers can cast their votes for the player of the game – the MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) – during each broadcast online at AnimalPlanet.com/PuppyBowlMVP. MVP winners will be announced on Animal Planet at the end of each airing…will the pup-ular vote yield different results?
• @MeepTheBird: Everyone’s favorite feathered fan is still addicted to Twitter and not shy about sharing his opinions on pop culture and PUPPY BOWL. Follow Meep at @MeepTheBird and tweet, tweet, tweet!
• PUPPY BOWL Immersive Experience: Download or update the free Animal Planet for iOS App on game day for exclusive content, fun facts and more in the custom Puppy Bowl Plus second screen experience.
• PUPPY BOWL on Tumblr: Count down to the game with GIFs of epic moments from PUPPY BOWL over the years, Vines and shareable memes. Join the action at animalplanet-puppybowl.tumblr.com.
• Adoption Stories & Behind-the-Scenes Vignettes: On February 2, the PUPPY BOWL fansite will follow the adoption stories of several of the puppy players and show what it takes to bring all the action to Animal Planet’s GEICO Stadium to delight millions of fans, clearly the best job in show business, in two new web video features.
• PUPPY BOWL X Times Square Practice Cam & Animal Planet L!VE Puppy Cam: Get round-the-clock, unfiltered access to adorable pups with live access at AnimalPlanet.com to the Practice Cam from the PUPPY BOWL EXPERIENCE, running from January 27 through February 1 at Discovery Times Square in New York City, and Animal Planet L!VE’s Puppy Cam, live at APL.TV from Washington Animal Rescue League in Washington, DC and decked out in honor of PUPPY BOWL with a special locker room scene. 

Before tailgating commences, PUPPY BOWL fans can check out the starting lineups – both puppies and kittens – at AnimalPlanet.com/PuppyBowl. All of the puppies and kittens featured in PUPPY BOWL X come from shelters and rescue groups across the United States and Puerto Rico, and viewers can learn more about the organizations online.

PUPPY BOWL X is produced for Animal Planet by Discovery Studios. For Discovery Studios, John Tomlin is the executive producer, and Michael Masland is the vice president of development. For Animal Planet, Melinda Toporoff is the executive producer, and Pat Dempsey is the associate producer. 

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About Animal Planet
Animal Planet Media (APM), a multi-media business unit of Discovery Communications, is the world's only entertainment brand that immerses viewers in the full range of life in the animal kingdom with rich, deep content via multiple platforms and offers animal lovers and pet owners access to a centralized online, television and mobile community for immersive, engaging, high-quality entertainment, information and enrichment. APM consists of the Animal Planet television network, available in more than 95 million homes in the US; online assets www.animalplanet.com, the ultimate online destination for all things animal; the 24/7 broadband channel, Animal Planet Beyond; and other media platforms including a robust Video-on-Demand (VOD) service; mobile content; and merchandising extensions.