Best In Show To Be Crowned at The 2006 AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Airing Live Tonight On Animal Planet and Discovery Channel

Best In Show To Be Crowned at The 2006 AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Airing Live Tonight On Animal Planet and Discovery Channel

-- Footage and Behind-the-scenes Photos Available Following Tonight's Show --

WHO/WHAT: Dogs from around the world are getting their paws pedicured, their fur clipped and their high struts in order, to compete in one of America's most prestigious dog shows. The AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, the only true invitational all-breed dog show that brings together the top 25 best purebred dogs under one roof to vie for the elusive "Best in Show" title. The winner will be announced LIVE tonight on Animal Planet and the simulcast on Discovery Channel.

But the Planet's Greatest Dog Show isn't just about the judges' picks. While watching the AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, audiences pick their favorite in each group and their top dog for the Iams Company Viewer's Choice Award by logging on to www.animalplanet.com. The winner will be announced LIVE.

WHEN/WHERE: The AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP airs live from Tampa, Florida on Saturday, January 14, and Sunday, January 15, 2006 on Animal Planet and simulcasts on Discovery Channel from 8-11 PM (ET). Saturday featured four groups of dogs and Sunday will feature the last three groups and "Best in Show."

PHOTOS: Following tonight's show, photos will be available on PR Newswire and Knight Ridder. For additional photos, please contact Maggie Gallant or Alice Rao.

FOOTAGE: Following tonight's show, footage will be available via satellite and Vyvx on Monday, January 16, from 2:00-2:30 AM EST (FIRM OUT)

For Satellite Feed Access:
SBS6 Transponder 02 KU-Band Analog
Uplink Frequency: 14049.5H
Downlink Frequency: 11749.5V
Orbital Position: 74 Degrees (43MHZ)

For Fiber Feed Access:
Request a PGAD (additional drop) from Vyvx at 800-364-0807
using reservation # 1993020

PRIZES: The Best in Show winner will receive $50,000, the largest cash prize in dog shows, a 14-carat white gold champion medallion and a lifetime supply of Iams dog food.

It wouldn't be an award show without fabulous gift baskets. Each group winner will take home baskets worth over $2,000 which include everything from fetching fashions to the latest in canine must-haves. Items include Manolo Barknik shoes, Chewnel No. 5 perfume toy, dog breath mints for red carpet interviews, Spa Dog botanicals grooming products, sleeping bags from TrixieandPeanut.com and after messin' around, there's the latest Bissell Spotbot vacuum cleaner. The top dog will take home this basket plus a weekend stay at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Talk about your pampered pooches! (For a complete product list, call Maggie Gallant at 917-207-0010.)

BACKGROUND INFO: Ron Reagan returned as host, along with dog show veteran Lee Arnold, and renowned dog show judge Edd Bivin. Feature reporter Leanza Cornett checked in with special profiles of owners, handlers and dogs, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what it takes to contend with the big dogs.

The AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP is a production of Painless Productions for Animal Planet. For Painless Productions, Joe Carolei and Jim Casey are executive producers. For Animal Planet, Margo Kent is executive producer.

Animal Planet, available in more than 87 million homes nationwide, is the only television network dedicated exclusively to the connection between humans and animals. The network brings people of all ages together by tapping into a fundamental fascination with animals through an array of fresh programming that includes humor, competition, drama and spectacle from the animal kingdom. Animal Planet is a property of Discovery Communications, the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 160 countries and territories with 1.3 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI's over 90 networks of distinctive programming represent 25 network entertainment brands. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates 120 Discovery Channel Stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ:DISCA)(NASDAQ:DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.

Contact: Maggie Gallant: 917-207-0010
Maggie@Spotlightcomm.com -OR-
Alice K. Rao: 240-893-9937
Alice_Rao@discovery.com

PRNewswire -- Jan. 15

Source: Animal Planet

Web site: http://www.animalplanet.com/
http://www.discovery.com/

-------
Profile: intent