THE EMMY(R) AWARD-WINNING ATLAS RETURNING FRANCHISE TAKES VIEWERS INTO THE FOURTH DIMENSION OF TIME TRAVEL (IN 3D!)

Discovery Channel Taps Darlow Smithson for World Premiere Special Series Coming Spring 2010

(Silver Spring, Md.) Discovery Channel's award-winning series returns traveling through time as ATLAS 4D and airing its stunning visuals and state-of-the-art graphics for the first time in 3D. ATLAS 4D transports viewers through millions of years of evolving geology and climate - past, present and future. In this three hour special event, dynamic regions are featured and explained, including the African Great Rift Valley, the Mediterranean and the islands of Hawaii. Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP) is producing the original three-part special for Discovery.

ATLAS 4D travels across time to tell the science and history of each stunning locale, uncovering extraordinary and surprising connections between the landscape, natural history and indigenous peoples. Previously unknown connections include how the spread of Islam sparked the Italian Renaissance, how an ancient ice age provided Polynesian settlers in Hawaii with a breakthrough technology and how the formation of the Rift Valley forced a crucial evolutionary step for humankind.

"ATLAS 4D is going to amaze viewers as they see the 'how' and 'why' of some of the globe's most riveting locales. We believe that 'discovery' is not just our name, it is our overarching mission," said Clark Bunting, president and general manager, Discovery Channel. "The [4D] time-machine is an extremely innovative filmmaking technique and Darlow Smithson is leading the pack in this field. This type of creative tool enables us to tell science and history stories and enhances John Hendrick's vision of telling the world's stories in a new and riveting way."

The critically praised, Emmy(R) award-winning ATLAS first premiered in 2006. The brainchild of Discovery Communications founder and chairman John Hendricks, ATLAS was the most ambitious high-definition television project ever to go into production. The special event series combined captivating photography and cutting-edge special effects to paint a record of civilizations and geographies. Hendricks' on-air vision grew into robust educational offerings with teaching materials and resources still being used in classrooms around the world.

"We are building on an already successful Discovery property that has, for the last few years, brought the natural beauty of the world to audiences via groundbreaking technology. ATLAS 4D takes a completely new approach with a fully narrated series, richer graphics in HD and a focus on stunning regions rather than countries. We hope this is just the beginning for this revitalized brand," said John Smithson, DSP's executive chairman and chief creative director.

ATLAS 4D is a Darlow Smithson Production for Discovery Channel. John Smithson and Sarah Swingler are executive producers for Darlow Smithson. Susan Winslow is executive producer for Discovery Channel.

About Discovery Channel

DISCOVERY CHANNEL (DSC) is dedicated to creating the highest quality nonfiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which reaches 98.1 million viewers in the U.S., can be seen in over 170 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 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, Planet Green, 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. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

About Darlow Smithson Productions

Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP), is one of the world's leading independent production companies. DSP has an unsurpassed reputation for producing high quality television programs for U.K., U.S. and international broadcasters, and has achieved worldwide industry recognition for its ground-breaking output. The company is proud to have received more than 40 industry awards, including recognition from BAFTA, The Royal Television Society and the U.S. Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences. From its base in London, and offices in New York and Singapore, the team works across a wide range of nonfiction television from prestigious single feature-length documentaries to flagship series and from long-running popular formats to high end factually based drama.

Recent high profile productions include The Diary of Anne Frank (BBC One/Fr2), Thriller in Manila (More4), Miracle on the Hudson (Channel 4/Discovery US), The Beckoning Silence (Channel 4), Killer in a Small Town - The Ipswich Murders (Channel 4), Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections series 2 (NatGeo Int/BBC Two), Megastructures (Natgeo US/ Natgeo Int), Convoy (History Canada/Natgeo Int/Channel 4/Smithsonian) and Stephen Hawking's Universe (Discovery Channels). DSP has unrivalled experience in high-definition production. The company also specializes in the use of advanced computer graphics and quality dramatic re-enactment and is an acknowledged leader in theatrical documentary.

For more information visit www.darlowsmithson.com