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(LONDON, United Kingdom) -- Discovery Networks International today announced the commission of new, timely special, SEX, LIES AND ONLINE AFFAIRS, a 1x60' documentary special produced by Mentorn Productions in the wake of the most prominent and widespread computer hacking attacks ever. The special is slated to air in late September on Discovery Network International's factual entertainment and lifestyle networks around the world.

This summer's hack of adult web site AshleyMadison.com was one of the biggest and most high-profile and widespread hacking attacks in technological history, affecting more than 30 million of its users worldwide.

Just as technology has modernized love, it's also modernized having an affair. Adultery is no longer shrouded in whispers, gossip and innuendo. Modern technology has changed methods of conducting an affair... and covering it up. And the AshleyMadison.com hack has not only raised eyebrows but created a dialogue about society, monogamy and modern marriage. With the prominence and ease in technology, are women now more apt to cheat? Are monogamy and marriage becoming outdated? What are the pros and cons of open relationships? Now, with many caught red-handed (and red-faced) and people openly discussing the often-taboo subject of adultery, Discovery Networks International is producing a special to look at Internet infidelity, and asks whether or not infidelity sites are fulfilling an existing need or a malevolent force encouraging adultery.

"Infidelity and its exposure are acts that long existed before the Internet but this a particularly modern take on a perennial tale," says Sarah Thornton, Vice President of Production and Development, Factual Entertainment, for Discovery Networks International, who commissioned the special. "This timely special explores an online phenomenon that has gripped the world because, ultimately, it's about human drama and emotions: love, loss and betrayal. It's a reflection of classic human behavior through a truly modern lens."

SEX, LIES AND ONLINE AFFAIRS investigates how the Internet is changing the modern relationship and seeks to understand and explain the driving forces leading to infidelity. With personal stories documenting people on their journey of unfaithfulness facilitated by Internet sites and celebrity accounts on their experience with privacy disruption, the special strives to inform the public about Internet hacks, the reasoning and motivations behind adultery, and the affects an invasion of privacy may take on any one person.

The special features real people with different takes on why they explored sexual and emotional territory outside of their partner, this documentary will allow the audience to completely put themselves in these people's shoes and learn how and why they decided to explore adultery in the relationships.

SEX, LIES AND ONLINE AFFAIRS is commissioned by Sarah Thornton and executive produced by Mark Procter. Phil Craig is the executive vice president and chief creative officer for Discovery Networks International. SEX, LIES AND ONLINE AFFAIRS is produced by Mentorn Productions, and David Emerson serves as the executive producer.

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Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. For 30 years Discovery has been dedicated to satisfying curiosity and entertaining viewers with high-quality content through its global television brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery controls Eurosport, the leading pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

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