Costello, the Alaskan Malamute, Wins the 5th Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

Costello, the Alaskan Malamute, Wins the 5th Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

Animal Planet and Discovery Channel Viewers Agree with Judge's Pick

WHO/WHAT: Costello, an Alaskan Malamute from Lockport, New York, won
the prestigious title of Best in Show at the 5th annual
AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, the only true
invitational all-breed dog show, bringing together the top 25
best purebred dogs under one roof to compete for the elusive
Best in Show title. Judge Jane Forsyth said all the
finalists were exceptional, but the Alaskan Malamute had a
little somethin' extra. Upon hearing the news, Costello
jumped up on his hind legs, did a little dance and hugged his
owner/breeder/handler Sandra D'Andrea.

But the Planet's Greatest Dog Show isn't just about the
judges' picks. While watching the AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIP, audiences picked their favorite in each group
and their top dog for Best in Show by logging on to
http://www.animalplanet.com/ . Viewers concurred with the
judge's choice, selecting Costello for the Iams Company
Viewer's Choice Award for Best in Show.

WHEN/WHERE: The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship aired live from Tampa,
Florida on Saturday, January 14, and Sunday, January 15, 2006
on Animal Planet and was simulcast on Discovery Channel from
8-11 PM (ET). Saturday featured four groups of dogs and
Sunday featured the last three groups and Best in Show.

PHOTOS: Photos are available on PR Newswire, AP Photo and Knight
Ridder Tribune. For additional photos, please contact Maggie
Gallant or Alice Rao.

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060116/NYM050-ahttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060116/NYM050-bhttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060116/NYM050-c

FOOTAGE: Following Sunday night'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 received $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 took home baskets worth over $2,000,
comprised of everything from fetching fashions to the latest
in canine must-haves. Items included Manolo Barknik shoes,
Chewnel No. 5 perfume toy, Benedent 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 Best in Show winner took 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 vie 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
Alice K. Rao: 240-893-9937, Alice_Rao@discovery.com

PRNewswire -- Jan. 16

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060116/NYM050-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060116/NYM050-b
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060116/NYM050-c
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN3-5
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Animal Planet

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

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