SYFY'S HIT SERIES "GHOST HUNTERS" RETURNS IN SEPTEMBER

JASON HAWES AND THE TAPS TEAM ARE BACK ON THE PARANORMAL HUNT IN ALL-NEW EPISODES PREMIERING ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 AT 9 PM ET/PT

NEW YORK, NY - August 21, 2012 - A new era begins when Ghost Hunters, Syfy's longest-running unscripted series, continues its eighth season with 14 all-new episodes beginning Wednesday, September 5 at 9 PM ET/PT.

Having bid a fond farewell to investigator Grant Wilson in May, The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) is officially a team in transition, which means there are plenty of surprises on the way this fall! To get back into the swing of things, Jason Hawes and the TAPS team hop in their tricked-out van and head below the Mason-Dixon line for a block of "Southern Spirits"-themed episodes.

First stop down in Dixie is Charleston, South Carolina - the winning location of Ghost Hunters' America's Hometown Ghost Hunt contest. Other famously haunted hotspots getting the thorough TAPS treatment this fall are Louisiana's Alexandria Zoo and the French Quarter in New Orleans.

This September, Ghost Hunters' search for evidence to help alleviate families' fears and bring peace of mind to communities continues in:

"A SERIAL KILLER'S REVENGE"

Wednesday, September 5 at 9 PM ET/PT

Charleston, South Carolina has the distinct honor of winning Ghost Hunters' America's Hometown Ghost Hunt contest. TAPS heads straight to the historic Old City Jail, where America's first female serial killer, Lavinia Fisher, spent her last few days alive before her execution in 1820.

"CAMP FEAR"

Wednesday, September 12 at 9 PM ET/PT

TAPS travels to Georgia's Camp Rutledge, the location of a "Friday the 13th" movie shoot, in search of "elemental spirits" - created by nature, not humans - and also stops in Marion, North Carolina to help a young mom who fears a ghost might be out to hurt her daughter.

"FRENCH QUARTER MASSACRE"

Wednesday, September 19 at 9 PM ET/PT

In an effort to bring closure to families of the victims of the 1973 Jimani Lounge Massacre - where 32 men died in a horrific arson attack - TAPS fans out across New Orleans, investigating the Jimani Lounge, The Mortuary and a cemetery, in its attempt to contact the fire's victims.

"DON'T FEED THE APPARITION"

Wednesday, September 26 at 9 PM ET/PT

TAPS doesn't let being outdoors and surrounded by animals interfere with its investigation of the Alexandria Zoo in Alexandria, Louisiana. Zoo staffers have experienced unexplained occurrences that remind them of the pranks pulled by their dearly departed zookeeper, which leaves them wondering if their old friend is playing practical jokes on them from beyond the grave.

About Ghost Hunters

On Wednesday nights at 9pm for over seven years, Ghost Hunters has featured spine-tingling cases from the files of TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) - led by Rhode Island plumbers Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson. Since its 2004 premiere, the show has spawned two spin-offs (with over 200 episodes among the three series), cementing its place as the #1 paranormal franchise in cable. Ghost Hunters is produced for Syfy by Craig Piligian's Pilgrim Studios (Dirty Jobs, The Ultimate Fighter, Top Shot). Piligian and Thomas Thayer, along with Mike Nichols and Alan David, serve as executive producers.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as Sci Fi Channel, and currently in 95 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)