Discovery Channel U.S. and BBC One Go Global with a Breathtaking Journey Through 20,000 Years of Human History

November 22, 2010

(Silver Spring, Md.) Discovery Channel U.S. and BBC One today announced a major new landmark series in which Andrew Marr embarks on the greatest story ever told - the epic story of human history.

Produced by Discovery Channel U.S., BBC Vision Productions, BBC Worldwide and The Open University, the eight-part series will combine stunning dramatic reconstruction, innovative computer graphics and gripping storytelling to reveal the events, conflicts and characters that have shaped our destiny. HISTORY OF THE WORLD will reveal the major turning points in our shared history, ranging from military campaigns to love stories to technological inventions to assassinations to medical breakthroughs to devastating natural disasters. The series will be shot all over the planet and will literally create lost worlds by freezing time at decisive moments in history and revealing the significance of these moments and how it they have shaped our world. From Cleopatra's encounter with an asp and Marco Polo's journey along the Silk Road to China to the arrest of Marie Antoinette and the firing of a bullet in Sarajevo in 1914, this will be the definitive account of human civilization.

"No one has captured 20,000 years of human history quite like this before," said Clark Bunting, President and General Manager of Discovery Channel and President of Science Channel. Beginning at the end of the last Ice Age and ending in our modern age, each tells the stories of real people, their civilizations, cultures, successes, and crashing failures. A story that charts progress, development and change through the centuries, and that reminds us of where we came from - and where we are now."

Jana Bennett, Director, BBC Vision says: HISTORY OF THE WORLD will use the most cutting edge production techniques married to Andrew Marr's expertise to tell the ultimate, universal story of humankind. It is an ideal project for our partners globally - it is through working with the likes of Discovery Channel, The Open University and BBC Worldwide that we can continue to produce projects with the scale and scope of History Of The World, maintaining the BBC's reputation for the most ambitious and creative landmark factual programming and providing exceptional value for license fee payers."

This announcement comes on the heels of a new agreement between the BBC and Discovery Communications extending their long-term North American co-production partnership by two years until 2014.

Executive Producer for the BBC is Chris Granlund. Series Producer is Kathryn Taylor. Executive Producer for Discovery Channel US is Susan Winslow. Executive Producer for The Open University is Catherine McCarthy. Jonathan Stamp is Consultant for BBC Worldwide.

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 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.