CNBC PRIME LAUNCHES FIRST REALITY SERIES

"TREASURE DETECTIVES" PREMIERES TUESDAY MARCH 5TH AT 9PM ET/PT

Mixing Business with Treasure

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., February 22, 2013 - CNBC Prime launches its first reality series on Tuesday, March 5th with the premiere of "Treasure Detectives" at 9PM ET/PT. A show that takes you deep inside the world of arts, antiques and collectibles and asks the question: is it a fake or is it worth a fortune? Produced by Endemol USA, the eight-episode series introduces world-renowned art detective Curtis Dowling and his team of investigators whose clients may be the victim of elaborate hoaxes.

In this one-hour weekly show, Curtis Dowling and his team dig into the history of potentially counterfeit items using high tech science. Each week, the "Treasure Detectives" team meets collectors and verifies the authenticity of collectibles, artwork and antiquities using innovative technology and street smarts to determine whether they're sophisticated forgeries or extremely valuable collectors' items... answers that could cost or earn owners a small fortune. They trace not just where an item came from, but how it was made... and in many cases, how it was faked.

"TREASURE DETECTIVES" - PREMIERE EPISODE

Airing Tuesday, March 5th at 9PM ET/PT on CNBC

In the premiere episode, Dowling and his team meet a collector who believes he purchased a rare Lalique glass automobile hood ornament for only $1200. If it's authenticated, it could go at auction for hundreds of thousands of dollars. The "Treasure Detectives" team meets with a long time art collector who believes he has a valuable Roy Lichtenstein print. If it is the real deal, he is going to trade it for a face-lift from a prominent art loving plastic surgeon.

"TREASURE DETECTIVES" - Episode #2

Airing Tuesday, March 12th at 9PM ET/PT on CNBC

In the second episode, Dowling and his team meet a man who believes he is the owner of the world's most valuable and sought after baseball card: the Honus Wagner T-206. If Dowling determines that the card was indeed printed in 1908, the owner of the card could be $3 million dollars richer.

Visit treasuredetectives.cnbc.com to learn more about Curtis, meet his team and get behind-the-scenes video. Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/treasuredetectives, follow us on Twitter: @CNBCprimeTV and Instagram: @CNBCprime.

"Treasure Detectives" premieres Tuesday, March 5th at 9PM ET/PT followed by the premiere of "The Car Chasers" at 10PM ET/PT on CNBC.

"Treasure Detectives" is produced for CNBC by Endemol USA. Amber Mazzola is the executive producer for Endemol USA. Jim Ackerman is the executive producer for CNBC.

About CNBC:

With CNBC in the U.S., CNBC in Asia Pacific, CNBC in Europe, Middle East and Africa, CNBC World and CNBC HD+, CNBC is the recognized world leader in business news and provides real-time financial market coverage and business information to approximately 390 million homes worldwide, including more than 100 million households in the United States and Canada. CNBC also provides daily business updates to 400 million households across China. The network's 16 live hours a day of business programming in North America (weekdays from 4:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET) is produced at CNBC's global headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and includes reports from CNBC News bureaus worldwide.

CNBC also has a vast portfolio of digital products which deliver real-time financial market news and information across a variety of platforms. These include CNBC.com, the online destination for global business; CNBC PRO, the premium, integrated desktop/mobile service that provides real-time global market data and live access to CNBC global programming; and a suite of CNBC Mobile products including the CNBC Real-Time iPhone and iPad Apps.

About Endemol USA:

Endemol USA is a leading producer of television programming specializing in unscripted and scripted genres for network and cable television. David Goldberg is Chairman and CEO of Endemol North America. The studio produces hit series including Big Brother (CBS), Wipeout (ABC) and the syndicated daytime show Steve Harvey. They are also known for producing some of the most popular non-scripted primetime programming in North America, including Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Fear Factor. Endemol USA launched Endemol Studios, a scripted television studio operation in August, 2011. Scripted series include Hell on Wheels (AMC) Red Widow (ABC) and Low Winter Sun (AMC). Endemol USA's subsidiary production companies include Authentic Entertainment (Here Comes Honey Boo Boo), Endemol Studios, 51 Minds (Flavor of Love), Original Media (Swamp People) and True Entertainment (Real Housewives of Atlanta). Endemol USA is a division of the Endemol Group, a leading international content developer, producer and distributor of television and online programming. The company, headquartered in the Netherlands and the UK, has over 80 subsidiaries and joint ventures in 31 countries, including the major European markets, the U.S., Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. Endemol is a privately held company. For more information, please visit www.endemolusa.tv.