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Groundbreaking Discovery Channel Series Chronicles One of the Toughest Races on Earth
- Premiering October 2008, IDITAROD (wt) Shows a Musher's Preparation is No
Match for Mother Nature -
SILVER SPRING, Md., July 10 -- Discovery Channel continues
its exploration into and chronicling of the fascinating world around us
with the groundbreaking series IDITAROD (wt). The world premiere of this
original series is slated for October 2008. This historic 1,150 mile sled
dog race over some of the world's most beautiful -- and most challenging --
terrain was documented from beginning to end through the eyes of the men
and women who dared to take on the monumental challenge.
In this six-part series, viewers will get a rare look into one of the
harshest races on the planet -- The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Across
frozen rivers, barren tundra, mountains and thick forest in freezing
temperatures, this grueling race from Anchorage to Nome puts mushers and
their dog teams through the ultimate test of human and animal teamwork and
endurance.
"This new series truly defines adventure programming," said John Ford,
president and general manager of Discovery Channel. "Viewers will once
again travel back to Alaska, one of the toughest places on earth, where
they will see the sheer will and determination it takes for men and women
to compete in and complete this 1,150 mile race. The stories of these
competitors deserve to be told and we are proud to do it."
Mushers from around the world convene in Alaska each March to run the
"Last Great Race on Earth." Some prepare all year for this legendary race
while others fit in training around their full-time jobs. Some are carrying
on a proud family tradition while others are first generation mushers.
Discovery Channel will follow returning race veterans and rookies alike to
see, through their eyes, what it takes to compete not only against each
other but also Mother Nature.
The Iditarod Trail was originally used as a mail and supply route from
the coastal towns of Seward and Knik to the interior mining camps and
eventually all he way to Nome. Mail and supplies went in and gold came out
-- all by dog sleds. Mushers became legends. In 1925, part of the trail
became a life-saving highway. Mushers and their dog teams were called upon
to bring serum to epidemic-stricken Nome and save the town from Diphtheria
that had overtaken it. The Iditarod is a commemoration of those brave and
legendary mushers and their faithful dogs.
IDITAROD (wt) is produced for Discovery Channel by Original
Productions. Thom Beers and Phillip Segal are executive producers and Jeff
Conroy is co-executive producer. For Discovery Channel, Paul Gasek is
executive producer.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications is the world's number-one nonfiction media
company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170
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 and
HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and
services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including
HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding
Company (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S.
Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information, please
visit http://www.discoverycommunications.com.
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