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Live Event to Broadcast Across Asia-Pacific and Around the World on Discovery in May 2014. The world is about to witness one of the greatest human feats ever captured on television – when California resident Joby Ogwyn attempts the first wing suit flight off the summit of Mount Everest. The epic event titled EVEREST JUMP LIVE will broadcast live on the Discovery Channel and in 224 countries and territories in May 2014.
“This is history in the making,” said Eileen O’Neill, Group President Discovery and TLC Networks. “Discovery Channel continues to bring live broadcast events unlike anything you’ll see on television – from Felix Baumgartner’s world record for the highest space jump to Nik Wallenda’s incredible tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon.”
Discovery will take viewers along the journey with two, one-hour pre-shows revealing Joby’s intense training and preparations for Everest. The special will then culminate with a live 2-hour broadcast – showing Joby as he battles the grueling conditions on the way to Everest’s summit and ultimately takes the final plunge from the top. Joby’s custom-made wingsuit will be equipped with cameras bringing a bird’s eye view as he descends more than 10,000 vertical feet at speeds of over 150 mph.
WINGSUIT JUMPER JOBY OGWYN TO LEAP OFF SUMMIT OF MOUNT EVEREST LIVE ON THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL
Joby is no stranger to Everest. He first summited the world’s highest peak at just 24-years-old, becoming the youngest American to make it to the top. In 2008, Joby set the world record for the fastest ascent of Mt. Everest, climbing from the base of the south side route to the summit in just nine and a half hours (it typically takes 3-4 days). Ever since then, he’s searched for the ultimate way to explore the mountain – and now he’s found it.
“This will be the final piece of my dream. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve imagined what it would be like to fly. I can’t think of a more spectacular backdrop than Everest,” said Joby. “Everything that I’ve ever accomplished in my life has just been practice for what I’m about to do.”
Joby will conduct dozens of test jumps in California, Florida, Utah and the Swiss Alps. After extensive preparation, he will then travel to the Himalayas for final training. After six weeks of acclimatization, Joby and his team will be ready to summit Everest.
But many questions will remain unanswered until he arrives. Will the weather cooperate? Did he bring the right equipment? And has Joby’s training actually prepared him for something no human has ever done before? For most climbers, reaching the summit of Everest is the ultimate dream but for Joby – it’s only the beginning.
The live event is produced by Peacock Productions for Discovery with Gretchen Eisele, Colleen Halpin, Benjamin Ringe and Knute Walker serving as Executive Producers. Sharon Scott is President and GM of Peacock Productions. Howard Swartz serves as executive producer for Discovery. Discovery Education will bring the wonder of Everest to students nationwide with interactive content, digital learning experiences and resources found on its suite of digital classroom services. To learn more, go to www.discovery.com/EverestJumpLive and follow Facebook at facebook.com/DiscoverySEAsia for updates.
DISCOVERY CHANNEL ANNOUNCES EVEREST: LIVE FROM BASE CAMP WITH FIVE DAYS OF LIVE PROGRAMMES FROM EVEREST BASE CAMP BEGINNING MAY 6, LEADING UP TO EVEREST JUMP LIVE AIRING LIVE ON MONDAY, MAY 12
Kyle Martino of NBC Sports and Chris Jacobs of Velocity to Host Live Nightly Broadcasts From Mt. Everest Beginning Tuesday, May 6, Prior to Live Jump on Monday, May 12
Discovery Channel will broadcast five days of live programmes from Everest Base Camp, all leading up to the colossal 2-hour historic event chronicling climber Joby Ogwyn’s journey to the summit of Mt. Everest – battling the grueling conditions and ultimately taking the plunge from the top wearing a wingsuit equipped with cameras to give a bird’s eye view. Hosted by Kyle Martino of NBC Sports and Chris Jacobs of Velocity, EVEREST: LIVE FROM BASE CAMP, will provide viewers around the world with a behind-the-scenes perspective of the most challenging and complicated live broadcast ever attempted, airing live across select markets in Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe, at 11:00am (MY) daily from Tuesday, May 6 to Saturday, May 10 (weather permitting) on Discovery Channel (Astro Channel 551).
The monumental jump, titled EVEREST JUMP LIVE, produced by NBC News’ Peacock Productions, will air in every pay-TV market across Asia-Pacific, Central/Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America, Nordics and Western Europe, beginning Monday, May 12 (weather permitting).
“These daily live programs enhance this already epic undertaking by allowing audiences a chance to share the experience and to see what it’s like to actually be at Everest Base Camp—not just for Joby, but for all those around the world who contribute to Everest’s unique culture,” said Luis Silberwasser, Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, DNI. “We’re incredibly excited to bring together our diverse, global viewers to immerse themselves in an adventure like none other!”
Each day, Kyle and Chris will check-in with Joby ¬ to receive updates on where he is along the journey and to determine the challenges and dangers that lie ahead. This insider access includes interviews with a variety of special guests including the medics, Sherpa guides, other climbers, and additional individuals making the event possible.
Adding to this supersized opportunity, the team will monitor up-to-the-minute weather patterns. But will they be able to keep track of Everest’s highly unpredictable conditions? Joby will have some tough decisions to make as the clock ticks and he decides when to take the leap of a lifetime and his greatest challenge to date.
Viewers around the globe will also have an opportunity to take part in the live broadcast by joining in the conversation with social media updates for the chance to ask Joby live questions each night leading up to his jump. Social media questions will be sourced from around the world for the opportunity to interact with Joby and the production team. The live broadcast will capture the global social media conversation in new ways by looking at real-time data and reporting on who’s watching, in which countries, and what they’re saying to support Joby during his trek. Live cameras will also be in place at Everest Base Camp that can be viewed 24/7 for a bold multiplatform immersion experience at www.EverestJumpLive.com.
Kyle and Chris will begin the strenuous climb to Everest Base Camp next week. Kyle, a former professional athlete, serves as a studio analyst for NBC Sports Group’s critically-acclaimed Premier League soccer coverage and is the lead analyst for Major League Soccer on NBC and NBCSN. Kyle also served as a game analyst during NBC Universal’s coverage of the 2012 London Summer Olympics. As a soccer star, he played a combined six seasons with the Columbus Crew and Los Angeles Galaxy. Chris has numerous television credits, including co-hosting Discovery’s and Velocity’s OVERHAULIN’. He also served as host of The Insider from 2009 to 2011 and was a correspondent for Entertainment Tonight. Most recently, Chris served as online host for Discovery Digital during CHOPPER LIVE, GOLD RUSH LIVE and SKYWIRE LIVE WITH NIK WALLENDA.
EVEREST: LIVE FROM BASE CAMP is produced by NBC News’ Peacock Productions for Discovery with Betsy Wagner as Executive Producer and Solly Granatstein as Co-Executive Producer. Gretchen Eisele, Colleen Halpin, Benjamin Ringe and Knute Walker also serve as Executive Producers for Peacock Productions. Sharon Scott is President and GM of Peacock Productions. Howard Swartz serves as executive producer for Discovery with Executive Producers Denise Contis, Andrew Jackson and Julie Meisner Eagle.
To learn more, go to www.discoverychannelasia.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DiscoverySEAsia and on Twitter @DiscoverySEAsia. Join the conversation by using the hashtag #EverestLive.
* All dates and times stated are based on Singapore/Hong Kong time, +8 GMT
About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel, the flagship network of Discovery Communications, is devoted to creating the highest quality non-fiction programming in the world and remains one of the most dynamic networks on television. First launched in 1985, Discovery Channel now reaches more than 193 million subscribers in Asia-Pacific. Globally, Discovery Channel is one of the world’s most widely distributed television brands, reaching 436 million subscribers in 224 countries in 45 languages. It offers viewers an engaging line-up of high-quality non-fiction entertainment from blue-chip nature, science and technology, ancient and contemporary history, adventure, cultural and topical documentaries. For more information, visit www.discoverychannelasia.com.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than two billion cumulative subscribers in 224 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 196 worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as U.S. joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Across the Nordic region, Discovery owns and operates SBS Discovery Media, a top-three portfolio that feature leading nonfiction content, as well as locally produced entertainment programs, sports and the best scripted series and movies from major studios. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including Revision3. In Asia-Pacific, eight Discovery brands reach 590 million cumulative subscribers in 36 countries with programming customised in 15 languages and dialects.
