SCIENCE CHANNEL JOINS THE SEARCH FOR EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE THIS MARCH WITH "ARE WE ALONE?" MONTH

--World Premiere Episodes of ALIEN ENCOUNTERS and ALIENS: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE Air Tuesdays at 10 PM (ET/PT)--

(Silver Spring, Md.) - Science Channel's ARE WE ALONE? month returns to viewers in March with a search for answers to bold new questions about mankind's search for extraterrestrial life. Beginning Tuesday, March 5 at 10 PM (ET/PT), Science Channel renews its partnership with SETI Institute and is once again pushing the boundaries of the unknown. Four all-new, world premiere episodes feature leading scientists on the hunt for alien life forms that lie beyond Earth, examine the probable human response to actual aliens landing on Earth, and divulge fascinating new scientific discoveries about the existence of extraterrestrials.

"ARE WE ALONE? month was a big hit for Science Channel last March. We invited viewers to join the search for extraterrestrial life, and it's clear that everyone enjoys programming of an alien kind," said Debbie Adler Myers, executive vice president and general manager, Science Channel. "Especially the way our network approaches it-with a uniquely scientific perspective. This year, Science Channel has four world premieres that use stunning visuals, world-renowned experts and enthralling storytelling that help us to once again own the alien category."

Last year in the two-part special ALIEN ENCOUNTERS, distinguished scientists examined how extraterrestrials might communicate with Earth and discussed the ramifications. Now, the aliens have answered humanity's call and after travelling billions of miles they've landed on our planet in all-new, world premiere episodes of ALIEN ENCOUNTERS: THE INVASION on Tuesday, March 5 at 10 PM (ET/PT) and ALIEN ENCOUNTERS: THE OFFSPRING on Tuesday, March 12 at 10 PM (ET/PT).

Science is constantly looking for evidence of life in outer space. In the world premiere of ALIENS: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE on Tuesday, March 19 at 10 PM (ET/PT) and Tuesday, March 26 at 10 PM (ET/PT), viewers trek to stunning, remote locations on Earth and throughout the galaxy to gain a better understanding of what mankind currently knows about life beyond our planet including on Earth-like exoplanets.

Along with Science Channel's unique brand of programming, ScienceChannel.com and SETI Institute are once again joining forces to offer a unique digital component which will enhance the ARE WE ALONE? viewing experience and take the search for extra-terrestrial life to citizen scientists everywhere.

During ARE WE ALONE? month Science Channel will also air premiere NASA'S MISSION TO MARS on Tuesday, March 19 at 9 PM (ET/PT). This in-depth special reveals the science behind Curiosity - NASA's largest and most powerful rover ever - and its exceptional journey to the red planet. TRANSIT OF VENUS, premiering Tuesday, March 26 at 9 PM (ET/PT) on Science Channel, brings a unique, fresh perspective to the rare astronomical event that occurred on June 5, 2012, when Venus passed directly between the Earth and the Sun.

ALIEN ENCOUNTERS is produced for Science Channel by Karga Seven Pictures. For Karga Seven Pictures, the executive producers are Emre Sahin, Kelly McPherson and Sarah Wetherbee, with co-executive producer Avigail Schotz. ALIENS: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE is produced by Arrow Media and Handel Productions. For Arrow Media, Tom Brisley is executive producer, Mike Davis is director and Lucy van Beek is series producer. For Handel Productions, Alan Handel is executive producer and André Barro is producer. Debbie Adler Myers is the executive vice president and general manager of Science Channel, and Bernadette McDaid is vice president of production. Executive Producers for Science Channel are Rocky Collins and Neil Laird, Kaitlin McIntyre is a producer and Katie Pyne is an associate producer.

ARE WE ALONE? EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS:

**All Times ET/PT**

ALIEN ENCOUNTERS

The Invasion World Premieres Tuesday, March 5 at 10 PM

The Offspring World Premieres Tuesday, March 12 at 10 PM

These two episodes of ALIEN ENCOUNTERS begin where last year's two episodes left off. A swarm of alien spacecraft hover in the Earth's atmosphere and suddenly deposit thousands of mysterious capsules on the surface. As the mother ship floats, ominously silent, in Earth's orbit the capsules begin to split and multiply as humans scramble to brace for the unknown. How will mankind respond to the extraterrestrial presence? Will humans panic or show restraint? How will humans understand the aliens' motives if there is no common language or technology? What happens when mankind sends an ambassador rover to the mother ship? Using cutting-edge science and dramatic science fiction, ALIEN ENCOUNTERS examines these exciting questions and more.

ALIENS: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE

Episode One World Premieres Tuesday, March 19 at 10 PM

Episode Two World Premieres Tuesday, March 26 at 10 PM

This all-new special is an "Encyclopedia Galactica" of non-Earth life forms, and an investigation into the latest scientific understanding of life beyond planet Earth. ALIENS: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE showcases the brilliant scientists who are currently grappling with extraordinary questions about alien life including: what will aliens really look like; how will they sound; what might their worlds look like; and, of course, will they come in peace. This two-part special takes viewers to stunning, remote locations on Earth as well as elsewhere in the universe.

About Science Channel

Science Channel, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), is home for the thought provocateur, the individual who is unafraid to ask the killer questions of "how" and "why not." The network is a playground for those with audacious intellects and features programming willing to go beyond imagination to explore the unknown. Guided by curiosity, Science Channel looks for innovation in mysterious new worlds as well as in its own backyard. Science Channel and the Science Channel HD simulcast reach more than nearly 80 million U.S. households. The network also features high-traffic online and social media destinations, including ScienceChannel.com, facebook.com/Science Channel and twitter.com/Science Channel.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 200 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through more than 140 worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as US joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.