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Theo Epstein To appear on Chicago Tribune

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:46:33 +0000

Comcast SportsNet will have a very special guest on “Chicago Tribune Live” presented by Captain Morgan (5:30 PM CT) as new Cubs President of Baseball Operations THEO EPSTEIN will join host David Kaplan to discuss Day One on the job, along with his short-term goals and long-term vision of bringing a World Series title to the northside.

NOTE: Comcast SportsNet will re-air the Epstein introductory press conference today at 4:30 PM CT and “Chicago Tribune Live” will be replayed at 11:00 PM CT.

In addition, CSNChicago.com will provide additional Epstein content including extended video clips from today’s press conference, new blogs from Kaplan and Cubs “Insider” Patrick Mooney, and much more.

Discovery Communications and Gaiam to Release 11 New Titles on DVD this September

admin — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:58:15 +0000

Gaiam, Inc., a leading producer of lifestyle media, announced today the release of 11 new DVD titles in September under its exclusive home video license agreement with Discovery Communications: Sister Wives 2; MythBusters Collection 7; Alaska: The Edge of Life; The Ultimate Guide: Dolphins; Kidnap and Rescue; River Monsters Season 3; Lost Tapes Season 2; The Haunted; Nightmare Next Door; Punkin Chunkin; and Toughest Military Jobs.

TLC’s Sister Wives 2
Major life changes hit the Browns as they enter new homes, new schools and welcome a new baby. In the wake of intense controversy, the family of TLC’s hit reality series Sister Wives pick up and move to the suburbs of Las Vegas. Scattered among four different houses, the nation’s most-watched polygamist family is faced with the threat of criminal charges and the challenge of integrating into a new community. This DVD has a total run time of 195 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 27, 2011.

Discovery Channel’s MythBusters Collection 7
The Emmy®-nominated series MythBusters aims to uncover the truth behind popular myths and legends. MythBusters Collection 7 takes on risky experiments as the team dives into dumpsters, attempts to crash and burn an out-of-control racecar and accepts challenges from YouTube fans, such as using a household match to light a homemade cannon. This two-disc DVD set has a total run time of 430 minutes with a SRP of $19.98. Street date: September 13, 2011.

Discovery Channel’s Alaska: The Edge of Life
In Alaska: The Edge of Life viewers will take a virtual, grand-sweeping tour of the Alaskan landscape from the treacherous to the tranquil. This title includes nine hours of nature and its most spectacular moments. The pure white vastness of this mysterious terrain holds both wisdom and turbulent nature, grizzly bears and graceful elk, thundering avalanches and the winding Yukon. This two-disc DVD set has a total run time of 378 minutes with a SRP $19.98. Street date: September 6, 2011.

Discovery Channel’s The Ultimate Guide: Dolphins
In this latest edition of The Ultimate Guide, the program dives into the world of dolphins. These crafty sea creatures are known to have strong intellectual capabilities, which lead them to react with human-like emotions. In this informative series, The Ultimate Guide: Dolphins teaches viewers about the characteristics that make dolphins unique, the secrets of sonar, how they channel aggression and their mating habits. This DVD has a total run time of 129 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 13, 2011.

Discovery Channel’s Kidnap and Rescue
Kidnap and Rescue recounts first-person stories of abduction and explores the challenges of their rescue and recovery. Dramatized re-enactments give viewers an action-packed series where each case is different – whether it is a D.E.A. agent taken by a vengeful cartel, a top high-profile executive being held for ransom or a child being trafficked illegally into someone else’s hands. This DVD has a total run time of 215 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 27, 2011.

Animal Planet’s River Monsters Season 3
The popular series returns, this time traveling to the world’s most remote and exotic destinations. In River Monsters Season 3, biologist and extreme angler Jeremy Wade battles an underwater monster in Papua, New Guinea, known for devouring certain male body parts. He even takes on a pack of eels that are known to rip the flesh from unfortunate swimmers. This two-disc DVD set has a total run time of 430 minutes with a SRP of $19.98. Street date: September 20, 2011.

Animal Planet’s Lost Tapes Season 2
Werewolves, vampires and the Jersey Devil are all explored among animals and insects that science does not recognize. Lost Tapes Season 2 blurs the line between fact and fiction in this first-person, immersive series that reveals creatures with other-worldly biological and behavioral characteristics. Creepy moments are caught on tape and each episode takes an in-depth look at what they reveal. This DVD has a total run time of 200 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 6, 2011.

Animal Planet’s The Haunted
The Haunted will have any viewer wondering if ghosts really exist! Chilling, real-life stories of unexplainable phenomena are explored in each episode. Using sensitive audio recording devices, special infrared cameras and a keen canine teammate, paranormal experts investigate a variety of claims of paranormal activity affecting animals and their owners. In this terrifying series, viewers will witness shadows move across rooms, ghostly voices captured on recorders and a demonologist being attacked. This two-disc DVD set has a total run time of 405 minutes with a SRP of $19.98. Street date: September 6, 2011.

Investigation Discovery’s Nightmare Next Door
Tales of mysterious murders that rocked small-town America are retold in Nightmare Next Door. In this Investigation Discovery series, investigators, prosecutors, family members and neighbors share their stories to help reveal what really happened. Cases reviewed include a college student who disappeared and was found in a landfill the next morning, as well as a suburban Korean-American family that was brutally attacked during a home invasion. This DVD has a total run time of 215 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 6, 2011.

Science Channel’s Punkin Chunkin
The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association began in 1986 and each year lines up the biggest and best competitors in chunking pumpkins! In Punkin Chunkin, teams compete to build the best machine to turn their pumpkins into projectiles. Each team brings something unique, from air cannons to catapults, and other custom-built machines. This DVD has a total run time of 215 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 27, 2011.

Military Channel’s Toughest Military Jobs
Protecting American lives and borders is not an easy operation. Toughest Military Jobs explores the most difficult and dangerous jobs on land, in the air and at sea on military bases across the country. In this series, see how the Air Force’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal team mines forests to defuse bombs. This DVD has a total run time of 172 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 20, 2011.

Each new DVD release will be available in stores and online wherever DVDs are sold.

About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 210 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 130-plus worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as US joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. 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 HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

About GAIAM
Gaiam, Inc. (Nasdaq: GAIA) is a leading producer and marketer of lifestyle media and fitness accessories. With a wide distribution network that consists of 64,000 retail doors, 14,600 store within stores, 5,600 media category management locations, a digital distribution platform and more than 10 million direct customers, Gaiam is dedicated to providing solutions for healthy and eco-conscious living. The company dominates the health and wellness category and releases non-theatrical programming focused on family entertainment and conscious media. In addition, Gaiam has an exclusive licensing agreement with Discovery Communications and other licensing partners.

Anna Chlumsky And Warren Christie Star In ‘Three Weeks, Three Kids’ A Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere, May 7

admin — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 15:03:35 +0000

Anna Chlumsky (“My Girl,” “Lights Out”) plays a free spirit who has to finally embrace adulthood when she is suddenly saddled with taking care of her sister’s kids in “Three Weeks, Three Kids.” The Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere Saturday, May 7 (9 p.m. ET/PT, 8C) is part of Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Mother’s Day” campaign, with special programming to honor moms everywhere. Chlumsky co-stars with Warren Christie (“October Road”), Chelah Horsdal (“Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle”), Susan Hogan (“Battlestar Galactica”) and Kevin McNulty (“Robson Arms”) in the romantic comedy.

Twenty-five-year-old Jennifer Mills (Chlumsky) lives her life without commitments—she rides a bright red Vespa, she makes her own hours at work, and she is confident and relieved that her boyfriend isn’t even close to putting a ring on her finger. Not at all like her older sister, Mandy (Horsdal), who married young and settled into family life; Jennifer loves being carefree. But her mother, Kathryn (Hogan), sees Jennifer’s wild ways as a fear of settling down, and hatches a secret plan to take her from playful to parent in just three weeks. When Mandy and her husband plan a three-week European vacation without their three kids, Kathryn convinces Jennifer to help watch them until she can get into town, feigning her husband Russell’s (McNulty) broken hip as an excuse not to travel.

Jennifer quickly finds out playing house isn’t for kids. From sneaking out to meet friends to schoolyard bullies and boyfriends with motorcycles, Mandy’s three kids make Jennifer realize she has to go from cool aunt to strict parent if she’s going to keep her sister’s trust. But, with a little help from the handsome new neighbor across the street, Will (Christie), Jennifer manages to pull it together to prove to everyone, and even herself, that taking responsibility can be rewarding.

“Three Weeks, Three Kids” is a Johnson Production Group in association with Annuit Coeptis Entertainment productions. Tim Johnson and Jean Abounader are the executive producers. Tosca Musk and Kim Spencer-Nairn are the producers. Mark Jean directed from a script by J.B. White.

Columbus Blue Jackets’ Guardian Project Superhero – The Blue Jacket – Revealed

admin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:28:42 +0000

Columbus Blue Jackets fans cast the most votes to meet their team’s new superhero character, The Blue Jacket. The full unveiling of all 30 Guardian superhero characters within the Guardian Project will be held in a special presentation during the 2011 NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover in Raleigh, N.C. on Sunday, January 30 (4 p.m. ET live broadcast on VERSUS in the U.S. and on CBC and RDS in Canada).

A great military mind, the Blue Jacket lives to fight and he has the power of mediumship to communicate with the Union Civil War Generals that he idolizes. In battle, he relies on his heart and intelligence and not on modern technology. The Blue Jacket is entirely cased in a metal suit of armor that houses a devastating array of weaponry. For weaponry, he has an armada of 1857 Napoleon Cannons strapped all over his body. The cannons on his wrists, shoulders and thighs fire cannon balls loaded with explosives. At his side hangs the state flag of Ohio made of astral plasma. He has the ability to cocoon his victim with the flag, giving the illusion the victim has disappeared when in reality, the victim is temporarily suspended in time.

“The Blue Jackets fire off a Napoleonic Cannon in their arena when they score so it seemed natural to use them in the design of the character,” said Tony Chargin, EVP of GME Creative Affairs. “A very specific idea on how to do that was created and after weeks of developing, the Blue Jacket came to life and is one of the most unique Guardians.”

With the highly anticipated unveiling of the 30 individual Guardians within the Guardian Project, the Guardian 30 Match-Up is a Facebook application that enables fans to determine the order in which each team’s Guardian will be unveiled. Launched on December 20, hockey fans determine which team wins each match-up, with team superhero character revealed daily.

Created and developed by Stan Lee, Chargin, and Jake Shapiro, each Guardian has been derived from its corresponding NHL team, complete with special powers representative of each team and city.

With an initial plan to reach an all-family audience and narrower target demo of tween boys, GME hopes to bring a new audience to the NHL, while engaging the existing, established hockey fan base through a compelling tale of good vs. evil.

SPEED Premieres Hollywood’s Hottest Car Chases to Launch Second Annual ‘SPEED Dream Ride’

admin — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:09:34 +0000

SPEED premiere Hollywood’s Hottest Car Chases to Launch Second Annual ‘SPEED Dream Ride.’ Gene Hackman, as Det. ‘Popeye’ Doyle, commandeering a civilian’s 1971 Pontiac Le Mans in The French Connection, Steve McQueen’s Lt. Frank Bullitt wheeling a 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 CID Fastback through the streets of San Francisco in Bullitt … the famed ‘Eleanor’ in both versions of Gone in 60 Seconds … or maybe Matt Damon performing automotive gymnastics with a Mini Cooper through the streets of Paris in The Bourne Identity. Whichever scene is your favorite, great movie car chases get our adrenaline pumping and set arguments raging as each generation makes a case for their favorite celluloid pursuit.

On Thanksgiving Day, SPEED continues the debate with a two-hour, high-powered special entitled Hollywood’s Hottest Car Chases, kicking off “SPEED Dream Ride 2,” a holiday programming and promotional event, highlighted by a national consumer “Dream Ride” sweepstakes with a chance to win an extraordinary VIP experience at Infineon Raceway that only SPEED can deliver.

Five winners and their guests will spend three days at the famed track in Sonoma, Calif., riding along with Mario Andretti (in a two-seater IndyCar), Kyle Petty (in a NASCAR stock car), Jason Pridmore (on a two-up MotoGP sportbike) and Tanner Foust (on a Drifting course) … and if riding shotgun isn’t enough to jack up your adrenaline, winners will take turns crushing cars behind the wheel of the menacing black and green Monster Truck known as “Gravedigger” and touring the beautiful Northern California countryside piloting a collection of Super Cars supplied by World Class Driving.

Several other “surprise” guests from the worlds of racing and entertainment will make appearances throughout the three-day experience.

“SPEED Dream Ride 2,” presented by Prestone and supported by sponsorships from Zales, Progressive Insurance and Lexus, whose new 552-horsepower LFA supercar will make an appearance in the “SPEED Dream Ride 2” garage.

The campaign is supported by www.speeddreamride.com, an Internet micro-site hosted by the network Web site www.SPEED.com (Keyword: “Dream Ride”). The micro-site, which opens Nov. 1, will offer sweepstakes entry beginning Thanksgiving Day, “SPEED Dream Ride 2” video teasers and promotional content, as well as prize information and program schedules.

A strong “SPEED Dream Ride 2” affiliate promotion and prize package also is in place, with Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Charter, Cox, Mediacom and Cable One systems combining to put the promotion in front of millions subscribers.

HDNet Present Exclusive Interview With Assemblyman Bob Reilly on ‘Inside MMA’

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 11:33:49 +0000

HDNet will present exclusive interview with Assemblyman Bob Reilly on “Inside MMA,” on September 3 at 9:00 PM ET. Bob Reilly is the man leading the charge against legalizing mixed martial arts in the state of New York.

Reilly said “What attracts people to Ultimate Fighting unfortunately is the violence and violence is not good for our society. The difference between mixed martial arts and every other sport is that in mixed martial arts the purpose is to damage your opponent.”

Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten are joined on the panel this week by Randy and Ryan Couture and Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard, all who strongly disagree with Reilly’s statements.

“I think it’s an uneducated view,” says Randy Couture. “He doesn’t understand our sport. We’re not crazy, we’re not dangerous, this is not violence, it’s a combative sport.”

Also on this week’s show, the Coutures discuss their respective recent victories in the cage, and Lombard talks about his upcoming title defense.

Plus, Ron Kruck has breaking news on a Bellator fighter who isn’t letting a recent diagnosis with leukemia keep him out of the gym, and the “Inside America’s Gyms” series continues with a look at the Grudge Training Center in Wheat Ridge, CO.

ESPN Kicks Off Monday Night Football Preseason On Thursday, Aug. 12

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:13:08 +0000

ESPN will begin its Monday Night Football preseason broadcast on Thursday, Aug. 12, at 8 p.m. ET when quarterback Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens host the Carolina Panthers and running back DeAngelo Williams.

Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and analysts Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden will call the game, joined by reporter Suzy Kolber. To view photos of the MNF team, click here. Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 inductee Jerry Rice will voice the open to all four MNF preseason games.

The game will be preceded by a one-hour Monday Night Countdown (7 p.m.) hosted by Stuart Scott from Bristol, Conn., with analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson.

HDNet Broadcast ‘HDNet Fights: Mark Burnett Presents King of the Cage – Bad Boys Too’ From Detroit

admin — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:39:10 +0000

HDNet has announced that it will broadcast “HDNet Fights: Mark Burnett Presents King of the Cage – Bad Boys Too” LIVE from Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan on Friday, April 16 at 10:00 p.m. ET.

Three-time NCAA wrestling champion Jake Rosholt (7-2) facing veteran Jeremy Horn (84-19-5) in a 195-pound catch-weight bout. Rosholt is looking to get back on track after a 1-2 run in the UFC is the main evening event.

In other action, submission expert Joe Doerksen (43-12) looks to expand his four fight win streak as he takes on Chad Herrick (6-4), and Daron Cruickshank (3-0) meets Jason Holmes (6-1). Plus Ben Lagman (5-1) takes on Angelo Popofski (13-7) and Waylon Lowe (7-2) meets Steve Berger (21-19-2).

Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights, said “Jeremy Horn has found a way to win 84 times – it will be an interesting test for Jake Rosholt at this point in his career. Also, the rest of the card offers fans a chance to see the next generation of MMA stars.”

Bob Walker Appointed As EVP of Marketing and Cross Platform Development Of The Weather Channel

admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:06:45 +0000

The Weather Channel has appointed Bob Walker as executive vice president of marketing and cross platform development based at the company’s Atlanta headquarters.

Walker will be reporting to Michael J. Kelly, CEO of TWCC and be responsible for the company’s marketing strategy and enterprise wide marketing activities including research, consumer marketing and distribution marketing and will work closely with the heads of product, business development, programming and advertising sales to accelerate cross platform development.

Walker served as president & general manager of WXIA-TV and WATL-TV in Atlanta before joining The Weather Channel. He was responsible for the overall management, operation and strategic direction for two television stations and growth of the stations’ digital businesses.

He has served as the president & general manager of WXIA-TV since 1996 and assumed responsibility for WATL-TV in 2006 after Gannett acquired the station. Prior to that role, Walker was vice president of broadcast and held various sales, marketing and research roles in his nearly 22 year career with Gannett. He began his professional career with Arthur Andersen & Company in Denver.

Kelly said “We are thrilled that Bob is joining us, particularly at a time when our growth and presence on all platforms is accelerating rapidly. Bob’s deep background in local news on both video and digital platforms and his relationships with the broadcasting community will have significant impact on our cross platform strategy and our industry-leading positions in mobile, online and television.”

Walker stated “The opportunity to join Mike and the team at The Weather Channel Companies is truly an honor. The trust and credibility that The Weather Channel brand has earned is a tribute to their commitment to provide best in class service for advertisers, distributors and consumers on television, online and on mobile devices.”

Time Warner Cable Launches 28 New High-Definition Channels in El Paso, Texas

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:51:08 +0000

Time Warner Cable announced the launch of 28 new high-definition channels to its El Paso, Texas programming line up. Time Warner Cable has added new HD channels to Standard Tier subscribers and above and the new HD channels include:

ESPNews HD

Food Network HD

Hallmark Movie Channel HD

History Channel HD

National Geographic HD

Syfy Network HD

Travel Channel HD

Gary Underwood, Vice president of communications for Time Warner Cable in North Texas, said “We’re responding to our customers’ requests for more HD content.”