PLANET GREEN ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF VERGE � AN ALL-NEW PRIMETIME PROGRAMMING BLOCK
-Expanded Primetime Block Featuring Stories of Misfits, Mavericks and Innovators Premieres Monday, March 29-
(Silver Spring, Md.) - Planet Green today announced the launch of VERGE, its all-new primetime programming block, starting Monday, March 29. VERGE will air seven days a week on the network, from 8 PM through 11 PM (ET), repeating on the West Coast. Also on March 29, Planet Green will introduce a full 24-hour daily programming schedule.
VERGE champions the misfits, mavericks and innovators who challenge the status quo and are on the verge of changing their world and creating a better tomorrow. The block offers diverse and compelling entertainment with a focus on moving forward-broadening Planet Green's on-air conversation to emphasize conscious living and provocative storytelling.
The first week of VERGE is headlined by the world premiere of FUTURE FOOD on Tuesday, March 30. FUTURE FOOD follows the two most dangerous creative minds in modern cuisine, Moto Restaurant's Homaro Cantu and Ben Roche, as they go between the kitchen, the laboratory and the streets of Chicago in an effort to discover the dishes of tomorrow. In addition to airing at its usual time at 10 PM (ET), FUTURE FOOD will be stacked at 8 PM and 9 PM (ET) in a special series launch event.
"The launch of VERGE and our transition to a 24-hour clock represent the next steps in the evolution of Planet Green," said Laura Michalchyshyn, President and General Manager of Planet Green. "We're expanding our network dialogue to include stories of passionate people doing forward-thinking things. These are the change makers who are inspiring us to think differently, sustainably and positively for the future -whether they're chefs, urbanites-cum-farmers, fashion designers or technological innovators. Audiences will be amazed by their stories."
VERGE will be forward-looking, capturing a moment of change or transition -as embodied by the logo's "emerging E." The on-air look will be eclectic and diverse, featuring a refreshed graphics package and innovative delivery for logos, interstitials, in-program mentions and other elements. The result is intended to be a programming block that looks, feels and sounds unique and never takes itself too seriously.
Other highlights from the premiere week of VERGE include:
� 30 DAYS - Monday, March 29, at 9 PM and 10 PM (ET) and Friday, April 2, at 8 PM (ET)
From Morgan Spurlock, the Academy Award� nominated writer-director and star of the hit film "Supersize Me," 30 DAYS dares to ask the question, "Do we really know what it's like to see the world through our neighbors' eyes?" Each hour-long episode explores some of America's most pressing social issues by following the lives of ordinary people who agree to live outside their comfort zones for 30 days.
� LIVING WITH ED - Wednesday, March 31, at 8 PM and 9 PM (ET)
LIVING WITH ED features a look at an atypical Hollywood power struggle, chronicling the daily eco-friendly adventures of actor Ed Begley Jr., and his wife Rachelle. Rachelle is not wasteful, but she is merely a consumer-so imagine living with a spouse who times your showers, weighs your trash and double-checks your recycling! Each episode follows Ed and Rachelle as they navigate life in Los Angeles, with Ed always trying to leave the smallest possible carbon footprint.
� CONVICTION KITCHEN - Wednesday, March 31, at 10 PM (ET)
What do you get when you take one world-renowned chef, throw in 24 ex-cons with no culinary experience and give them just three weeks to open a high-end restaurant from scratch? CONVICTION KITCHEN follows Marc Thuet, executive chef, and his wife and business partner Biana Zorich as they put their reputations on the line with a high-stakes challenge that will push them-and their culinary prot�g�s-to the limit. The training is ruthless, the hours are long, but the reward for this motley crew of outcasts will be the second chance of a lifetime
� OPERATION WILD - Friday, April 2, at 9 PM and 10 PM (ET)
Florida is home to one of the country's last great natural reserves for wildlife and national parks: the Florida Everglades. OPERATION WILD follows the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FFWC) team as they attempt to track down poachers, organize dangerous animal relocation and provide security for wildlife found within their borders. The FFWC has one directive: to protect this national treasure for generations to come.
� BLOOD, SWEAT AND TAKEAWAYS - Saturday, April 3, at 8 PM and 9 PM (ET)
A group of six young fast food junkies spends a month finding out the truth about how their favorite foods are produced. In a unique version of shock therapy, these junkies live and work alongside poorly paid laborers responsible for making their favorite dishes, carrying out the grimmest tasks amid appalling conditions. BLOOD, SWEAT AND TAKEAWAYS reveals the not-so-glamorous side of food production for the masses and shows how the food we eat can affect others.
Later this spring, VERGE will feature the world premiere series THE FABULOUS BEEKMAN BOYS and the third seasons for GREENSBURG and WA$TED among its program offerings.
About Planet Green:
Planet Green is the multiplatform media destination of people who take risks to discover something new. Launched on June 4, 2008, Planet Green is the center for a new conversation about sustainability and the entertainment brand that champions the visionaries who move our world forward. Planet Green and its two robust Web sites, planetgreen.com and TreeHugger.com, offer unique, original, insightful, inspiring and entertaining content related to how we can evolve to live a better, brighter future. Planet Green's unique programming, digital tools and content will enlighten, empower and most certainly, entertain.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (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.
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