DISCOVERY CHANNEL GREENLIGHTS SECOND SEASONS OF GOLD RUSH: ALASKA AND FLYING WILD ALASKA
February 18, 2011
(Silver Spring, Md.) - Hit series GOLD RUSH: ALASKA and FLYING WILD ALASKA have both been greenlit for a second season, announced Clark Bunting, President and General Manager, Discovery Channel. Both Friday night series have been ratings winners for the network, with GOLD RUSH: ALASKA the #1 new series on all of television on Friday nights*, and FLYING WILD ALASKA premiering on January 14 as the highest rated new series premiere in network history. The series have averaged more than 3 million and 2 million viewers per premiere episode, respectively.
GOLD RUSH: ALASKA, which wraps its regular season tonight, Friday, February 18 at 10PM ET/PT, follows six down-on-their-luck men who risk everything to strike it rich mining for gold in the wilds of Alaska. On Friday, February 25 at 10PM ET/PT, a one hour special, Full Disclosure, features never-before-seen footage and new interviews with the miners, who reflect on their time in Alaska and look forward to next mining season, which begins in the Spring.
"This group of everyday men have harnessed their hopes and dreams and combined it with ferocity of spirit in an attempt to rekindle the American Dream for their families," said Bunting. "GOLD RUSH: ALASKA reflects what many Americans are feeling right now, and it's clearly struck a chord with our audience. We can't wait to go mining with the Hoffmans again, on a renewed journey of blood, sweat and tears - and hopefully, to gold."
FLYING WILD ALASKA, airing on Fridays at 9PM ET/PT through March 18, follows the unconventional family that rules Alaska's most dangerous skies. Operating their family-run airline, the Twetos battle unforgiving Alaska weather and terrain to transport life's necessities to one of the most remote and extreme regions of America. From champion snow dogs bound for the Iditarod to medicine for sick children, the goods these courageous pilots deliver are crucial to everyday life for the isolated rural inhabitants of the Bering Sea coastline.
"FLYING WILD ALASKA was the highest-rated new series launch in the network's history," said Bunting. "Viewers have simply fallen in love with the quirky Tweto family and their intrepid team of pilots, and we're excited to see how much more they push the limits next season."
GOLD RUSH: ALASKA is produced for Discovery Channel by Raw Television; Dimitri Doganis is executive producer, and Sam Maynard is series producer. FLYING WILD ALASKA is produced for Discovery Channel by 3 Ball Productions; JD Roth and Todd A. Nelson are executive producers, and DJ Nurre is co-executive producer. For Discovery Channel, Christo Doyle is executive producer for both GOLD RUSH: ALASKA and FLYING WILD ALASKA.
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 100.1 million U.S. homes, can be seen in over 180 countries, 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 number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 180 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery, Planet Green and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
* Source: Nielsen Media Research. (000s). 2/11/11, Live plus same day, 8p-11p, M25-54/18-49, (000s).
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