HISTORY(R) DEVELOPING NEW ORIGINAL SCRIPTED DRAMA SERIES "#CARTEL" FROM CHRIS BRANCATO

ABC Signature and A+E Studios to Tell the Unbelievable True Story of El Chapo

NEW YORK, NY - May 3, 2016 - HISTORY(R) is partnering with writer/producer Chris Brancato ("Narcos") to develop the new original drama series "#Cartel," it was announced today by Jana Bennett, President & General Manager, HISTORY. The series would explore the global drug wars through the true story of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and is produced by ABC Signature and A+E Studios. The network has ordered a first episode script for this premium project.

The series would follow kingpin "El Chapo" Guzman's rise to power. It's a look inside the stranger-than-fiction world of drug cartels who use social media to maintain their image, recruit new members and threaten rivals. Unlike drug lords of decades past, El Chapo has fan followings, with relationships in the entertainment and music industry that stretch past the Mexican border and into the United States. "#Cartel" is a story of power, money, sex and the human cost of the drug wars like none ever seen on television.

"As we expand the canvas of topics covered by HISTORY to include events of the recent past, we are pleased to be teaming with Chris Brancato on this project,'" said Bennett. "The true story of El Chapo, fraught with murder, drugs, corruption and celebrity, has been and continues to be one of the most disturbing and fascinating of the past decade. Chris is the perfect person to bring this slice of modern history to the screen."

"I've long been an avid viewer of HISTORY, so it's a thrill to work with them on this story about the intersection of technology and crime," said Brancato. "The show is a metaphor for the lives we present on the internet, the secret selves we reveal in supposedly private communication, and the risks of not-so-humble-bragging on social media."

About HISTORY(R)

HISTORY(R), now reaching more than 96 million homes, is the leading destination for award-winning series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across all platforms. The network's all-original programming slate features a roster of signature series including "Pawn Stars," "American Pickers," "The Curse of Oak Island," "Alone" as well as the hit drama series "Vikings." The HISTORY website is located at history.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/history and Facebook at facebook.com/history.

About A+E Studios

A+E Studios is the studio unit of the award-�winning global media company A+E Networks, LLC. A+E Studios creates, produces and distributes high quality scripted programming across all networks and platforms in the A+E Networks portfolio, including A&E(R) Network, Lifetime(R), History(R), LMN(R), FYI(TM), and A&E IndieFilms(R). A+E Studios' slate of programming consists of scripted series, event series and movies, including "UnREAL" for Lifetime, and the upcoming event miniseries "ROOTS," the series "SIX" and "Knightfall," as well as "Texas Rising," "Sons of Liberty(TM)" and "Houdini" for HISTORY, among others.

About ABC Signature

Established in 2013, ABC Signature is ABC Studios' boutique division, spearheading development and production in premium and basic cable, emerging platforms and off-cycle, direct to series programming. Signature is currently in production on the horror dramedy series for Freeform, "Dead of Summer," from executive producers Eddy Kitsis & Adam Horowitz and Ian Goldberg. Additionally, they will co-produce "Guerrilla" written by John Ridley for Sky Atlantic and Showtime set for production in London this summer. Idris Elba will star and produce. Marvel Studios and ABC Signature received a straight to series order for "Marvel's Cloak and Dagger" which will go into production for FreeForm later this year. Most recently, Signature produced "Confirmation" along with Groundswell Productions, Kerry Washington and HBO Films for HBO, starring Kerry Washington and Wendell Pierce.