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[11/19/13 - 01:47 PM]
More Than 1.9 Million Viewers Tune in for "The Challenger Disaster" Simulcast on Science Channel and Discovery Channel on Saturday
Discovery spins the numbers for Saturday, November 16.

[via press release from Discovery]

MORE THAN 1.9 MILLION VIEWERS TUNE IN FOR "THE CHALLENGER DISASTER" SIMULCAST ON SCIENCE CHANNEL AND DISCOVERY CHANNEL ON SATURDAY

--Critically-Acclaimed Debut Scripted Feature Starring William Hurt Is Science Channel's Most-Watched Program of 2013 and Third Most-Watched Telecast in Science Channel History--

(Silver Spring, Md.) - THE CHALLENGER DISASTER, Science Channel's critically-acclaimed original scripted feature starring William Hurt, attracted more than 1.9 million total viewers P2+ to a simulcast audience on Science Channel and Discovery Channel on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 9 PM ET. For Science Channel it was the most watched program of 2013.

THE CHALLENGER DISASTER averaged 730,000 total viewers P2+ on Science Channel, which co-produced the feature with the BBC. This performance made THE CHALLENGER DISASTER the network's most-watched broadcast for 2013 based on P2+ delivery and the third most-watched program in Science Channel history (tied with FIREFLY: BROWNCOATS UNITE).

On Discovery Channel at 9PM, THE CHALLENGER DISASTER earned a 0.89HH/0.54P25-54/0.64M25- rating and delivered 1.2 million total viewers P2+. This telecast ranked in the Top Ten ad-supported original cable programs on Saturday evening (#6) among Men 25-54 delivery, excludes sports/movies.

More than five million total unique viewers watched THE CHALLENGER DISASTER during its debut weekend across both networks*.

On the morning of January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger tragically exploded in the sky over Cape Canaveral, Fla. In the months following, a special Presidential Commission worked to determine the explosion's cause in the hopes of making future spaceflight missions safer. THE CHALLENGER DISASTER follows the riveting story of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Richard Feynman's role on the Presidential Commission. Based upon Feynman's book "What Do You Care What Other People Think?", the drama chronicles Feynman's efforts to uncover the cause of the Challenger explosion by deftly navigating the many vested interests represented on the commission, and his ability to quickly learn everything about the vast complexity of the space shuttle.

THE CHALLENGER DISASTER features powerful performances from an all-star cast that is headlined by Academy Award-winning actor William as the brilliant physicist Dr. Richard Feynman. Joining Hurt is actor Bruce Greenwood who plays fellow commissioner U.S. Air Force General Donald Kutyna in the second lead role. He is joined by Brian Dennehy as William Rogers, Chairman of the Presidential Commission, actress Joanne Whalley who plays Feynman's wife Gweneth, and Eve Best as astronaut Sally Ride.

Source: Nielsen. NHI Calendar. 11/16/13. Live+SD AA% and AA (000).

(*)Source: Nielsen, 11/16-11/17. Live + Same Day, P2+ cume based on 6 minute qualifier for all plays.

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 224 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 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 to0 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 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 1.8 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 a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including Revision3. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.





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· CHALLENGER DISASTER, THE (SCIENCE)
· FIREFLY (FOX)





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