Kids Document Their Lives in The Learning Channel's Groundbreaking MY LIFE AS A CHILD

Kids Document Their Lives in The Learning Channel's Groundbreaking MY LIFE AS A CHILD

SILVER SPRING, Md., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Learning Channel (TLC) breaks new ground in documentary filmmaking when it premieres the new series MY LIFE AS A CHILD on Monday, February 26 at 7PM (ET/PT). In TLC's first "user-generated" series, 20 children ages 7-12 document their lives on digital video for a first-person perspective on the lives of our youngest generation.

In February 2006, TLC asked children ages 7-12 to submit videos about their lives. Over 400 children responded, and 20 were selected for the series. Each child was producer, cameraperson and director of his or her segment, taping him or herself for approximately four months each and capturing footage that ultimately formed the six-episode series. Because kids control the cameras while TLC has crafted the series structure, the series marries the raw and spontaneous realm of user-generated content with quality network production values to give it a look, feel and tone that distinguish it from any other program on television.

In each one-hour episode, children give their unfiltered views on parents, peers and growing up. Frank, intimate and eye-opening, their perspectives offer powerful insight into the lives of American children in the 21st century. Some rites of passage stand the test of time, such as playing sports, striving in school, arguing with parents, or getting teased or bullied. But present-day kids also face new challenges: finding their way in blended families, growing up with same-sex parents, eschewing public schools for home schooling and more.

"First-person filmmaking by these children gives this series an intimacy unequaled on television," said David Abraham, executive vice president and general manager, TLC. "Furthermore, their perspectives on today's most pressing issues, including race, poverty, bullying and more are deeply insightful and far beyond their years. We are thankful to them for opening up their lives to us in such a powerful, raw and real way."

Just 10 years ago, a series like this wouldn't have been possible, but the digital video revolution has inspired a new era in first-person documentary filmmaking and the YouTube phenomenon, among others. Whereas once parents would operate the family's sole Super8 camera, now children familiar with reality TV and the Internet are taking the reins and directing the action themselves.

The featured stories include 8-year-old writing prodigy Adora who just published her first book and is working on another; 8-year-old Cole, who is challenging perceptions about living with cerebral palsy and taking karate classes; 11-year-old Miashanti who plays linebacker as the only girl in her local football league; 8-year-old Joshua who is growing up without a father in a tough Baltimore neighborhood; 10-year-old African-American Lisetanne whose perspectives on race are shaped by her relationship with her Caucasian adoptive mother, and many more.

The Learning Channel's MY LIFE AS A CHILD powerfully explores the world we are creating for future generations as reflected by a single camera lens focused on each child. Their often inspiring and heartwarming stories speak volumes to the ways in which we parent, teach and pass on life's lessons to those just beginning their journeys.

Online at TLC.com, the kids from MY LIFE AS A CHILD will discuss their experiences, and offer tips and insights to kids on how to make their very own videos.

MY LIFE AS A CHILD is produced for TLC by BBC Productions. For BBC Productions, executive producer is Abigail Harvey and series producer is Amy Kohn. For TLC, executive producer is Brooke Runnette.

TLC is the only television network dedicated to lifelong learning for viewers who want to grow up, not old. Featuring programming that explores life's key transitions and turning points, TLC presents high-quality, relatable and authentic personal stories. TLC connects more than 94 million homes in North America to the human experience with life's lessons you can't learn from books. TLC is a property of Discovery Communications, Inc., 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.

High-resolution photography is located at www.press.discovery.com

Source: Discovery Communications, Inc.

CONTACT: Don Halcombe, +1-240-662-2952, or Don_Halcombe@discovery.com,
or Shannon Martin, +1-240-662-2245, or Shannon_Martin@discovery.com, both of
Discovery Communications, Inc.

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

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