Science Channel Unveils Its 2016-17 Upfront Slate Led by "Search for the Next MythBusters" and the Return of "Punkin Chunkin"

(New York, NY) Science Channel achieved its highest rated quarter ever among Persons 25-54/18-49, Men 18-49 and Women 25-54/18-49 in L+3 during 1Q16, after delivering the most watched year ever in Primetime 2015*. On the heels of these record ratings, Science Channel presents its 2016-2017 Upfront slate highlighted by the return of popular TV event PUNKIN CHUNKIN and the all-new series SEARCH FOR THE NEXT MYTHBUSTERS. Other new Science Channel series will include HOW TO BUILD... EVERYTHING which will compliment returning programs THROUGH THE WORMHOLE WITH MORGAN FREEMAN, SURVIVORMAN, WHAT ON EARTH?, and OUTRAGEOUS ACTS OF SCIENCE, among others.

Science Channel remains the cable destination for all things science as they happen with daily coverage of news and events via the network's popular SCIENCE PRESENTS DNEWS which offers the latest updates on space, technology and engineering weeknights at 9PM. Upcoming specials that give viewers front row seats to all-new space missions will include MISSION JUPITER (WT) which will cover NASA's New Frontiers Mission, currently en route to the planet Jupiter. Live coverage of breaking science events, including NASA space launches, will also continue to be broadcast ensuring that Science Channel viewers are always up-to-date on the latest developments.

"It's an exciting time for Science Channel as we're strengthening and energizing the brand with innovative and imaginative programming," said Marc Etkind, General Manager of Science Channel. "We're covering live events and science news updates while engaging our audiences with mind- blowing virtual reality experiences, breakthrough in-depth specials, and all new series to answer the biggest questions on air, online and socially."

The highlights of Science Channel's 2016-2017 Upfront schedule include:

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING

PUNKIN CHUNKIN is an epic gathering of unconventional engineers and builders as they battle it out using air cannons, centrifuges, catapults and even trebuchets to see whose homemade contraptions can propel a pumpkin the farthest.

NEW SERIES

SEARCH FOR THE NEXT MYTHBUSTERS - Science Channel is searching for an all-new generation of myth-busting science super stars with mind-blowing build skills and nerves of steel. Using social media and spectacular stunts, SEARCH FOR THE NEXT MYTHBUSTERS will feature a cast of fearless hopefuls who will be judged on their skills as they compete in never before seen myth-busting challenges. For more information on this program please visit www.ScienceChannel.com.

HOW TO BUILD . . . EVERYTHING - Structured in the spirit of a home installation guide, each half hour episode of this new series breaks down the step-by-step process behind some of the world's most complex apparatuses in a way even the most unlikely engineer can follow. From an Apache helicopter to a hovercraft, a cruise ship to a satellite, each episode will feature three monumental subjects and take viewers on a fascinating, tongue-in-cheek adventure as they learn how they're built in just a few "simple" steps!

RETURNING SERIES

THROUGH THE WORMHOLE WITH MORGAN FREEMAN explores the deepest mysteries of existence and the questions that have puzzled mankind for eternity. THROUGH THE WORMHOLE brings together the brightest minds and best ideas from the very edges of science - astrophysics, astrobiology, quantum mechanics, string theory, and more - to reveal the extraordinary truth of our universe. Topics from the next season of this Emmy Award nominated series will include, Can we live without privacy?, Can we cure aging? and Can we all become geniuses?

Science Channel is the leader on cable for space programming and the network's blue-chip series HOW THE UNIVERSE WORKS returns to ask the questions about how our universe was put together while revealing the inner workings of our planet, the solar system, the galaxies and the universe itself.

WHAT ON EARTH? - Satellites orbiting our planet have put more eyes on Earth's vast areas of land and sea than ever before. WHAT ON EARTH?, Science Channel's most watched series, investigates baffling anomalies from these satellites to reveal the world like we've never seen it before.

Science Channel proves that you can have your viral videos and your lab lessons too in the hit series OUTRAGEOUS ACTS OF SCIENCE, hosted by astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi and physicist Debbie Berebichez along with a team of experts. Each episode counts down the 20 best viral clips from the web testing the principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. From death-defying dives from the sky, to epic explosions that rock the desert, to full-sized cars performing perfect backflips - no experiment is too extreme.

SURVIVORMAN reveals the science behind survival tactics that include making fire, building shelters and enduring severe weather. Each week, Les Stroud takes off for remote corners of the world with no food, shelter or fresh water. Les only has his wits, stamina and a camera to record his survival adventure; he is truly alone as he faces new challenges and imparts key survival knowledge at every turn. Science Channel pushes the SURVIVORMAN boundaries by giving viewers a virtual reality experience released in conjunction with the series that is the next best thing to being with Les as he travels the world.

And finally, Science Channel returns two of its classic and ever-popular series this year, HOW DO THEY DO IT?, which follows the complex passages of our creature comforts that we often take for granted, such as the journey a piece of luggage takes before it goes on an airplane, and HOW IT'S MADE, a highly addictive assembly-line series which gives viewers an exclusive look at how our favorite and everyday items are manufactured.

*Source: Nielsen, L+3 Data Time Period 4/30/07-3/24/16, Live+SD Data Time Period 3/25/16-3/27/16. Prime M - Su (8p-11p).

About Science Channel

Science Channel, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc, 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 reaches over 75 million U.S. households. The network also features high traffic online and social media destinations, including ScienceChannel.com, facebook.com/ScienceChannel and @ScienceChannel on Twitter.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the leader in global entertainment reaching 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. Discovery satisfies curiosity, entertains and inspires viewers with high-quality content through global brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and through the Discovery Digital Networks portfolio, including Seeker and SourceFed. Discovery owns Eurosport, the leading pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.