MATT ROGERS NAMED AS NEW HOST OF DISCOVERY CHANNEL'S "THE DIRT," POPULAR PRE-SHOW TO THE NETWORK'S #1-RATED SHOW "GOLD RUSH"

'The Dirt' returns Friday, Oct. 16 at 8 PM ET/PT on the Discovery Channel

(Los Angeles, Calif.) - TV personality and singer/songwriter Matt Rogers has been named the new host of Discovery's THE DIRT, the popular pre-show to the network's #1-rated show GOLD RUSH. THE DIRT returns Friday, October 16, at 8 PM ET/PT on the Discovery Channel.

"GOLD RUSH has such a massive following and I'm definitely one of its biggest fans," Matt said. "I can't wait to dive in each week on 'The Dirt' to hear stories from the teams getting their hands dirty. It's the ultimate dream: to live off the land and strike it rich!"

Matt first found fame as a season three finalist on the reality singing competition "American Idol." He has since gone on to host many television shows including Discovery Channel's "Really Big Things," CBS's "There Goes the Neighborhood" and GSN's culinary reality series "Beat The Chefs." As an advocate for the armed forces, Matt hosted Lifetime's "Coming Home," where he brought home service men and women as a surprise to their family. He currently co-hosts "Home and Family" on Hallmark as it enters its fourth season. He has also worked as a correspondent on several entertainment and sports shows including "Turner Sports College Football." Matt continues his music career performing with his band.

THE DIRT, which started off as an occasional pre-show, has grown to become a regular fixture for the network. Christo Doyle, who played double duty as host as well as serving as Discovery's Vice President of Production and Development, will continue to oversee both series. He will also expand his production duties on other projects including the highly-anticipated new series PACIFIC WARRIORS to air on Discovery this fall.

A series of one-hour shows, THE DIRT gives the inside scoop from the miners on all things GOLD RUSH. Fans also get access to behind-the-scenes, cutting room floor material that never makes it into the show. Season 6 of GOLD RUSH on Friday, October 16 at 9 PM ET/PT.

THE DIRT is produced for Discovery Channel by the Broadcast Division of The Agency. For THE DIRT, Mary Clare Baquet and Matt Katzive are executive producers, Christina Bavetta is director and Mark Johnston is series producer. For Discovery Channel, Christo Doyle is executive producer and Meagan Davis is producer.

About Discovery Channel

Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 210 countries and territories, 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 #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than two billion cumulative subscribers in 223 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 162 worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as U.S. joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Across the Nordic region, Discovery owns and operates SBS Discovery Media, a top-three portfolio of 20 television brands that feature leading nonfiction content, as well as locally produced entertainment programs, sports and the best scripted series and movies from major studios. Discovery also is the leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of digital textbooks, and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including Revision3. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.