Discovery Networks U.S. Hispanic Group to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month With Slate of Original Programming for U.S. Audiences

Discovery Networks U.S. Hispanic Group to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month With Slate of Original Programming for U.S. Audiences

- Discovery en Espanol to Premiere PIONEROS Documentary Series About Outstanding Latino Leaders -

MIAMI, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Networks U.S. Hispanic Group, the leading provider of high-quality, real-world Spanish-language programming, will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by featuring original programming, showcasing the diverse contributions of U.S. Hispanics, across all three of its channels. Discovery en Espanol will premiere PIONEROS, an original, four- part documentary series, profiling prominent leaders in the U.S. Hispanic community who are impacting today's society on Sunday, September 17, at 8:00 PM (ET/PT). Discovery Kids en Espanol will go back in time to showcase historic Latin American heroes, while Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir) will take viewers to important Hispanic historic sites in the United States.

"To commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, Discovery's portfolio of Hispanic networks will honor the distinct contributions of Latino influencers who have shaped our country and have made a difference in our society through a variety of programming specials," said Luis Silberwasser, senior vice president and general manager of Discovery Networks U.S. Hispanic Group. "These special shows further demonstrate our commitment to offer culturally relevant programming in Spanish that accurately portrays Hispanics and stimulates our viewers."

DISCOVERY EN ESPANOL

PIONEROS, an inspiring and uplifting documentary series, will honor the extraordinary achievements of many outstanding U.S. Hispanic influencers of our time. Each episode recounts the stories of sacrifice and success of those who have reached prominent positions in the arts, science and space, politics and public affairs, and professional sports:

PIONEROS ("Arts"), September 17, at 8:00 PM (ET/PT), will showcase exclusive interviews with music producer and entrepreneur, Emilio Estefan; "Brokeback Mountain" Oscar-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla; writer Isabel Allende; and Hispanic actress Michelle Rodriguez and actors Edward James Olmos and Hector Elizondo.

PIONEROS ("Science and Space"), September 24, at 8:00 PM (ET/PT), will inspire viewers through revealing interviews with Franklin Chang Diaz, the first Hispanic astronaut; Mario Molina, the 1995 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry; Jose Szapocznik, a clinical psychologist and one of the nation's leading family therapists specializing in Hispanic families; Victor Penchaszadeth, director of the World Health Organization's Collaborating Center in Community Genetics and Education; and Seismologist Ines Cifuentes.

PIONEROS ("Politics and Public Affairs"), October 1, at 8:00 PM (ET/PT), will enlighten viewers with substantive discussions with U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FLA.); Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, Maria Elena Salinas, co-anchor of Noticiero Univision, U.S. Representative Hilda Solis (D-CA), and Antonia Novello, New York City Health Commissioner and Former Surgeon General of the United States.

PIONEROS ("Sports"), October 8, at 8:00 PM (ET/PT), will feature behind- the-scenes interviews with New York Yankee star baseball player Jorge Posada; world-famous boxer Jose Torres; San Antonio Spurs basketball player Manuel Ginobilli; Florida Marlins baseball player Miguel Cabrera; Venezuelan race car driver Milka Duno; and soccer great Marcelo Balboa.

DISCOVERY KIDS EN ESPANOL

During Hispanic Heritage Month, Discovery Kids en Espanol will air a series of short, original programs that feature the lives of four Latin American heroes that fought for freedom in their countries: General Simon Bolivar (Venezuela), known as "El Libertador" and often referred to as the "George Washington of South America"; Mexico's greatest and most beloved national hero and former president Benito Juarez; Francisco de Paula Santander (Colombia), former president, soldier and statesman who fought beside Simon Bolivar in the war for South American independence; and Jose Marti (Cuba), Latin American writer and poet, known for his opposition to slavery and for his dedication to freedom from colonial rule in Cuba.

DISCOVERY TRAVEL & LIVING (VIAJAR Y VIVIR)

Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir) will explore important sites in the United States that hold a significant place in Hispanic-American history. Premiering during Hispanic Heritage Month, these travel vignettes will highlight the consequential events that occurred at such recognized landmarks as the California Missions, the Freedom Tower in Miami, and St. Augustine, Fla., the nation's oldest city. These original shorts are designed to help preserve the cultural heritage of the U.S. Hispanic community and to encourage viewers to visit the sites for their distinctive beauty and contribution to history.

In addition, Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir) will feature U.S.- focused episodes of two of its most popular programs. On MIENTRAS NO ESTABAS, unsuspecting Southern California residents are surprised with amazing transformations to their homes as the design team and workers complete dream makeovers. MIENTRAS NO ESTABAS will air on Friday, September 15, September 29, and October 13 at 9:00 PM ET/PT. CIUDADES & COPAS will present the local scenery culture and character of Los Angeles and Miami as it highlights select beverages that represent those vibrant cities. These special episodes are set to air on Sunday, September 22 and October 9, at 9:00 PM ET/PT.

Viewers interested in receiving these channels can call the toll-free telephone number 1-877-PIDELOS (1-877-743-3567).

About Discovery Networks U.S. Hispanic Group

Discovery Networks U.S. Hispanic Group is the leading provider of high- quality factual and lifestyle programming for Spanish-speaking audiences in the United States. Distributing three distinct, standalone networks that offer content from Latin America as well as popular American programs transcreated for U.S. Hispanic audiences, the portfolio includes Discovery en Espanol, the premier factual network delivering content that stimulates, informs and empowers, giving viewers a fascinating look at the incredible and often surprising world from a Latino perspective; Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir), the first lifestyle channel created for Spanish-speaking audiences in the U.S., serving as an in-home getaway to the best travel, food and style the world has to offer; and Discovery Kids en Espanol, the leading children's network for U.S. Hispanic audiences, dedicated to bringing premium programming to families in a trustworthy environment that nurtures curiosity and creates lifelong learners. Discovery Networks launched Discovery en Espanol in 1998 in response to the growing demand for Spanish-language programming in the United States, and expanded the portfolio in 2005 to better serve the unique interests of Latino women, children and families with the addition of Discovery Kids en Espanol and Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir).

Source: Discovery Networks U.S. Hispanic Group

CONTACT: Candice Georgi, +1-305-520-9018, georgic@fleishman.com, for
Discovery Networks U.S. Hispanic Group

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

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