Planet Green's Fall Schedule Explores New Programming Territory with Compelling Original Series, Specials and High Profile Acquisitions

Planet Green's Fall Schedule Explores New Programming Territory with Compelling Original Series, Specials and High Profile Acquisitions

SILVER SPRING, Md., July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- From a spectacular global slideshow compliments of the International Space Station, to a pair of gear heads with the planet's best interests at heart, Planet Green's fall lineup is a captivating blend of unique series, specials and celebrated acquisitions new to American audiences. Original programming will feature fresh categories for the network with an environmental filter, including medical investigation and mega-architecture, while a new crop of acquisitions brings Planet Green viewers provocative story lines with an international flavor. Coupled with season debuts of fan favorites like Living with Ed and World's Greenest Homes, Planet Green's fall slate continues to build on a broader, bolder programming commitment for the channel and its two digital platforms. Laura Michalchyshyn, President and General Manager, Planet Green made the announcement:

"This fall our viewers will see an exciting and refreshing Planet Green emerge," said Michalchyshyn. "We are tapping into engaging stories and rich new programming genres. This is the continuation of a dynamic brand expansion for the channel that began earlier this year with the launch of our Reel Impact documentary strand and next month's multiplatform Blue August programming event."

Planet Green on-air content is complemented by two robust online platforms, PlanetGreen.com and sister site Treehugger.com. Expanded video elements, short-form series, innovative interactive features, blogs and take-action resources will immerse viewers in a unique 360 degree experience designed to entertain, engage and inspire.

Simulcast in HD, Planet Green offers the following original programming (alphabetical):

LIVING WITH ED (13x30) - Season 3 Premieres Wednesday, October 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET

Living With Ed chronicles the day to day, eco-friendly adventures of actor Ed Begley, Jr. and his wife Rachelle, as they navigate life in Los Angeles with Ed always trying to leave the smallest possible carbon footprint in his wake. This season follows the dynamic couple as they embark on exploits including an unlikely trip to Vegas (yes, Ed in Vegas), a wedding anniversary getaway only Ed could organize and a major home renovation not to be missed. Other new features this season include an "On the Road with Ed" video diary and a host of new companion elements on PlanetGreen.com including original webisodes with Ed and Rachelle, blogs and special interactive events. Living With Ed is produced for Planet Green by Brentwood Communications.

ULTIMATE POWER BUILDERS (4x60) - Premieres Friday, December 3 at 10:00 p.m. ET

Ultimate Power Builders defies all four basic elements (earth, air, heat, and water) to engineer big, ambitious and environmentally-friendly projects that will shape the Earth's landscape for future generations, while providing unlimited sources of energy. Watch as the construction of one mega-structure after another evolves, whether it's a carbon neutral city in the Middle East; a skyscraper in China which produces its own power and water; an energy plant that harnesses the power of the atom or a geothermal station that drills deep within the Earth to tap the extreme heat down below to operate. Ultimate Power Builders reveals how far technology will go to secure a sustainable existence for all. Ultimate Power Builders is a co-production of Saint Thomas Productions and Planet Green.

Acquisitions:
PLANET MECHANICS (8x60) - Premieres Tuesday, September 8 at 9:00 p.m. ET

Planet Mechanics Dick Strawbridge and Jem Stansfield use eco-engineering smarts and stubborn determination to build energy efficient creations that are equal parts science and art. If the projects they are undertaking don't frustrate them into submission, their individual personalities might drive them over the edge. Against all odds, this dynamic pair takes viewers on a wild journey of cutting edge technology and elbow grease that includes the successful creation of Britain's first street legal, air driven motorbike, a wood fueled truck and a farm powered solely by cow manure! Planet Mechanics is produced by RenegadePictures.

COOLFUEL (6x60) - Premieres Tuesday, September 8 at 10:00 p.m. ET

A radical road trip fueled by a tank full of surprises is in store for adventurer Shaun Murphy when he decides to travel 16,000 miles across America in vehicles run on anything but gasoline! The adventure begins as he journeys from California to the Midwest, and all the way down to the Deep South, using nothing but alternative fuels. No vehicle will go untested in this "Coolfuel Challenge" whether it's electric cars, motorcycles, dragsters or even boats! Murphy and his crew try everything to get from points A to B, including solar power, bio-diesel, corn whiskey, hemp or a whole slew of other organic fuels. This group is determined to make it GO! Coolfuel is produced by Balance Vector.

THE 100 MILE CHALLENGE (6x60) - Premieres Monday, October 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET

Six families in the town of Mission, British Columbia accept a challenge to consume only food and drink produced within a 100-mile radius for 100 days in The 100 Mile Challenge. How hard can it be? As the kitchen cupboards are stripped bare the families begin to panic as they soon discover it is not going to be as easy as it first appeared. Items on the "banned in Mission" list include coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar, beer, pop, rice, pepper, most spices, tropical fruits, peanut butter, and commercial bread and pasta. So, what does that leave? Good question. The 100 Mile Challenge is a food revolution that documents the 100-Milers' progress, revealing the ups and downs, and downright creativity of ordinary citizens as they try to cook three full meals day after day from locally available ingredients. The 100 Mile Challenge is produced by Paperny Productions.

NATURE, INC. (6x30) - Premieres Tuesday, October 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET

How much is nature really worth to the world economy? Can a value be placed on what the global ecosystem provides? Nature, Inc explores, the question of "what if?" and the ripple effect of a world without coral reefs, honeybees, and other key species. Nature, Inc is produced by dev.tv.

WORLD'S GREENEST HOMES (13x30) - Premieres January 2010

From hi-spec super-homes fit for Hollywood to experimental eco-dwellings that belong in a sci-fi film, World's Greenest Homes features high concept, one-of-a-kind homes that are on the cutting edge of sustainable building technology. Take an exclusive tour of these homes from around the globe and see how to coexist with the environment without leaving a great impact or sacrificing comfort. Think it's impossible to be green and glam? Well, think again! World's Greenest Homes is produced by Cineflix.

Specials:
TOXIC FILES (1x60) - Premieres December 2009

An electrician from rural Delaware is struck with a searing headache, blurred vision and dizziness. His life begins to unravel as the symptoms get increasingly worse with passing time and he finds he is often confined to his bed, wracked with unexplainable pain. No one has a diagnosis for the source of his agony. A six-year-old is no longer able to sleep, battling epic bouts of insomnia and suddenly begins to lose hand control. Her parents' worst fear is that her leukemia is no longer in remission, but physicians soon dispel that conclusion and arrive at another; their daughter is being poisoned and they are the prime suspects. Two very separate cases with one common denominator: environment. Toxic Files takes viewers inside a world of intrigue and shocking revelations as each medical mystery is unraveled symptom by symptom. Toxic Files is produced by Atlas Media.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 90 MINUTES (wt) (1x120) - Premieres 2Q10

At midnight, travel to the tiny country of Monaco and watch residents riding on a gondola on a beautiful summer night. By 12:05 a.m. you are transported to Canada to watch a gaggle of geese forage for food on a grassy knoll. Seem impossible? Not when the photographs are provided by the International Space Station as it orbits the Earth. Around The World in 90 Minutes tells the spectacular story of what happens around the globe during one 90-minute voyage through a series of high definition images broadcast from thousands of miles away. Around The World in 90 Minutes is a co-production of Burning Blue Media and Planet Green.

About Planet Green:

Planet Green is the multi-platform media destination devoted to the environment. Launched on June 4, 2008, this brand with a mission is available in 57 million homes. Planet Green is the center for a new conversation, speaking to people who want to understand how humans impact the planet and how to live a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle. It's for people who truly want to make a difference in meeting the critical challenge of protecting our environment.

Planet Green and its two robust websites planetgreen.com and TreeHugger.com, offer unique, original, insightful, inspiring, and entertaining content related to how we can evolve to live a better, brighter future. Planet Green's unique programming, digital tools, and content will enlighten, empower and most certainly, entertain.

Planet Green is a division of Discovery Communications.

Source: Planet Green

CONTACT: Annie Howell, +1-240-893-9757, Annie_Howell@discovery.com, or
Janice Sample, +1-240-662-7504, Janice_Sample@discovery.com

Web Site: http://www.planetgreen.com/

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