TRAVEL CHANNEL BUILDS ON CURRENT PROGRAMMING SUCCESS WITH BIG ADVENTURE, CRAZY-FUN ESCAPES, FAMILIAR FAVORITES AND BOLD-FACED NAMES
RENEWALS AND PROGRAMMING SLATE ANNOUNCED
Queen Latifah and Friends Reveal ‘The Best Place To Be’ in July Series Premiere
NEW YORK (March 29, 2016) – Fun and adventure will top the itinerary every night of the week with Travel Channel’s new programming slate taking off this spring. With five consecutive months of ratings gains, Travel Channel is well positioned to build on the success it has enjoyed with such entertaining travel pros as Josh Gates (“Expedition Unknown”), Bert Kreischer (“Bert the Conqueror”), Jack Maxwell (“Booze Traveler”), Anthony Melchiorri (“Hotel Impossible”), Adam Richman (“Secret Eats with Adam Richman”), Don Wildman (“Mysteries at the Museum”) and Andrew Zimmern (“Bizarre Foods” franchise). The network has commissioned more than 400 original programming hours, including premiere episodes of 16 returning series. It also has more than 35 new series and pilots in the pipeline.
Two new series will take some of the world’s biggest stars off-the-beaten path to their favorite places to eat, drink, shop and sightsee. “The Best Place To Be,” a new series from Queen Latifah, is an invitation to discover the world through the eyes and access of Hollywood’s hottest A-List celebrities. “Celebrity Adventure Club” offers an intimate adventure of discovery and exploration with actors Jon Cryer, Terry Crews and Eric Stonestreet. Currently, “Wild Things withDominic Monaghan” searches for exotic critters around the world.
In addition to bold-faced names, Travel Channel also is committed to creating content in broad categories that provide the perfect escape. The network’s additional programming themes include adventure/quests; crazy places; culinary travel; epic outdoors and “Dive In,” which focuses on water-related activities.
“Look for more Travel Channel shows like ‘Expedition Unknown’ and ‘Bizarre Foods’ that provide much-needed escape from the daily grind,” said Courtney White, senior vice president, programming, Travel Channel. “We’ll travel to plenty of farflung and fascinating places, eat mouthwatering foods and have lots of laughs along the way. We’ll spend time in warm-climate locales that viewers can’t get enough of – like Hawaii, Florida and the Caribbean. And we’ll even embark on a worldwide search with Josh Gates for the legendary Yeti in ‘Expedition Unknown: Hunt for the Yeti.'”
New series “Andrew Zimmern’s Driven by Food,” delivers a fresh perspective on culinary travel by sharing a locals-only experience with the James Beard award-winning chef. “Secret Eats with Adam Richman” uncovers hidden dishes around the world. Viewers also will journey to crazy places, where thrill-seekers immerse themselves in daring, treacherous and sometimes downright painful adventures. Returning series “Bert the Conqueror,” and the new series with actor/comedian Brian Unger, “Dartboard Road Trip,” will add a humorous spin on travel that showcases the country’s most awesome rides and roadside attractions. In the two specials of “You Only Live Once,” explorer Mikey Kay travels the globe to unexpected places to uncover amazing adventures, surprising cultures, extraordinary cuisine and interesting people. Additionally, beginning this summer, “Ghost Adventures” featuring Zak Bagans and his paranormal investigative team, returns with new episodes that explore some of America’s most haunted locations.
“Everest Air Rescue” (wt) is one example of the epic outdoors,adrenaline-fueled stories of adventure that are coming to the network, while “7 Water Wonders,” “Top Secret Swimming Holes,” “Island Explorers” (wt) and “Life’s a Beach” will kick off eight Sunday nights of programming that viewers can dive into this summer.
Below are the new and returning series on the Travel Channel spring/summer 2016 programming roster:
“Mysteries at the Museum”
Season premiere: Thursday, April 7, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT
Host Don Wildman digs into the world’s greatest institutions to unearth extraordinary relics that reveal incredible secrets from the past. Through compelling interviews, rare archival footage and arresting recreations, “Mysteries at the Museum” illuminates the hidden treasures at the heart of history’s most incredible triumphs, sensational crimes and bizarre encounters.“Hotel Impossible”
Season premiere: Monday, April 18, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT
As one of the network’s top-rated series for 2015, this new season of “Hotel Impossible” is filled with big surprises, moving moments, outrageous characters and unforgettable transformations. Armed with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality business, a no-nonsense approach and a team of skilled designers, host and hotel expert Anthony Melchiorri is on a mission to revive and repair every property he visits. Some hotels will follow his advice and be saved, others won’t!“Bert The Conqueror”
Season premiere: June
The thrills and excitement are bigger and more daring than ever as Bert Kreischer scours the country to take on the most exciting rides and challenges. “Bert the Conqueror” showcases the fun and ingenious side of America, all through the eyes of a man who throws himself into everything with a smile, a laugh and a scream.“Bizarre Foods”
Season premiere: June
“Bizarre Foods” with Andrew Zimmern is here with exotic eats from around the globe! Zimmern believes that the best way to explore other cultures is by sharing food, even though what’s common fare in one country may be a challenge for the Western palate. In “Bizarre Foods,” this adventurous eater infiltrates markets and restaurants taking viewers behind the scenes to savor the local cuisine. This curious traveler is game for anything and knows the most interesting food is found closest to the source.“Dartboard Road Trip”
Series premiere: June
Get ready to hit the road in “Dartboard Road Trip”! Host Brian Unger is throwing two darts at a map of the U.S. and wherever they land, he has the perfect road trip itinerary. Unger is cruising from point A to point B with spontaneous pit stops for some of the best food, adventures and places to sleep.“Food Paradise”
Season premiere: June
We’re serving up hefty plates of the country’s tastiest, most mouth-watering and decadent meals. We’re talking BBQ bliss, super stuffed sandwiches, boatloads of bacon, incredible Italian entrees and finger-licking deep fried dishes – and that’s only the beginning. Travelers love to eat their way across America and we’re giving them a guide, counting down all the must-eat spots across the country to have a one-of-a-kind dining experience. So bring your appetite and your stretchy pants as we dive into a healthy portion of “Food Paradise!”“7 Water Wonders”
Series premiere: June
Across the world, resorts are constantly redefining the pool experience to draw in more guests and up the wow factor with water features. From high octane water slides and lazy rivers to panoramic infinity edges and full service swim-up bars, it’s clear pools are an integral part of the vacation industry. On “7 Water Wonders,” we dive into seven resort pools per episode highlighting over-the-top amenities and breathtaking design. So whether you are looking to soak, slide, sunbathe or swim, we’ve got your next aquatic vacation destination.“Top Secret Swimming Holes”
Series premiere: June
You’ve never seen swimming holes like these! We’re on a mission to uncover the world’s most secluded, sexy and extreme natural places to cool off. We’ll hike, climb, boat and even dog-sled our way around the globe to track down the most amazing places to take a dip, jump off a cliff or explore underwater caves. From a crystal blue 100-foot waterfall buried deep in an Arizona Indian Reservation and the ancient Mayan underwater caves of Mexico to the country’s oldest commercial quarry in Vermont and the only place on Earth where you can share your swim with a manatee, “Top Secret Swimming Holes” gives you the keys to unlock the adventure of a lifetime.“Xtreme Waterparks”
Season premiere: June
“Xtreme Waterparks” take viewers on an all-access, adrenaline-filled ride on the wettest, wildest, most over-the-top and exhilarating water rides in the world. This series showcases some of the most insane water slides that will thrill even the craziest adrenaline junkies.“The Best Place To Be”
Series premiere: July
“The Best Place to Be” follows A-List celebrities as they take us on an all-access trip to their favorite cities around the world. From the moment they touch down, some of the world’s biggest stars take us off the beaten path to show us their favorite places to eat, drink, shop and sightsee.“Ghost Adventures”
New episodes: July
Lockdown your Saturdays with the fearless team from Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures.” Paranormal investigators Zak Bagans and Aaron Goodwin, along with A/V techs Billy Tolley and Jay Wasley, travel to haunted destinations where they meet with locals, eyewitnesses and experts to piece together the haunted history of each site. They then begin a dusk-to-dawn “lockdown” investigation, using the latest scientific gadgets and technology to confront the reported paranormal activity and document key evidence in an effort to uncover the truth behind each haunted mystery.“Island Explorers” (wt)
Series premiere: July
From Hawaii to the Caribbean and beyond, each episode of “Island Explorers” (wt) follows our adventurous hosts as they discover the best off-the-beaten path spots on one island, from spectacular sights and off-the-hook adventures to secret beaches and enticing places to eat.“Life’s a Beach”
Series premiere: July
So many people work year-in, year-out for those brief vacations, dreaming of escaping permanently to their own slice of heaven. “Life’s a Beach” celebrates the real stories of people who went for it – leaving their normal lives behind to pursue an everlasting beach paradise. Viewers will get an inside look at the fascinating tips and tricks these beachcombers use to create these magical lifestyles.“Secret Eats with Adam Richman”
Season premiere: July
Shhh… Adam Richman has a secret! In “Secret Eats with Adam Richman,” the foodie and in-the-know host crisscrosses the globe on the ultimate quest to uncover hidden food treasures that are unique, surprising and delicious. He unveils a combination of off-the-menu items and off-the-grid restaurants – some that are even hidden to locals.“Andrew Zimmern’s Driven By Food”
Series premiere: August
Chef Andrew Zimmern believes the best way to explore a town is to get to know the locals first, and who better than a cabbie. In “Andrew Zimmern’s Driven by Food,” Zimmern discovers the off-the-grid dives, daring adventures and the fun only insiders know how to find. With his guide – whether it’s a shikara driver in Kashmir, a gondolier in Venice or a taxi driver in the Deep South, Zimmern shares a locals-only experience, discovering the uniqueness of every destination.“Big Time RV”
Season premiere: August
“Big Time RV” gives viewers an all-access pass inside America’s largest, and one of the most prestigious, RV dealerships located in Tampa, Fla., and Tucson, Ariz. While touring and testing every make and model of RV available, the expert sales force and first-rate customization center work together to satisfy the demands of RV lovers looking to buy or rent the biggest, most over-the-top RVs in the business.“Celebrity Adventure Club”
Series premiere: August
“Celebrity Adventure Club” hands the camera to some of the most fascinating people in the world and asks them to explore what compels and inspires them. Celebrities travel around the world to take viewers on an intimate adventure of discovery and exploration on a variety of subjects including the marvels of space exploration with Jon Cryer, the rebirth of Motor City with Terry Crews and the intrigue of World War II espionage with Eric Stonestreet.TRAVEL CHANNEL is a multiplatform travel lifestyle brand with the core mission of providing inspiring and compelling programming that takes viewers beyond their everyday destinations, making the unfamiliar familiar, whether it’s around the world or around the block. A dual feed network that is also available in HD, Travel Channel is the world’s leading travel media brand, and is available in over 89 million U.S. cable homes. Owned and operated by Scripps Networks Interactive (NASDAQ: SNI), Travel Channel has offices in Knoxville, Tenn. and New York, N.Y. Scripps Networks Interactive (NASDAQ: SNI) also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.
Travel | David
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