Discovery Unveils New Programming Across Channel Bouquet

LOS ANGELES: At its TCA presentation, Discovery Communications outlined the upcoming programming highlights for its bouquet of channels, including Destination America, which is planning to air the first-ever live televised exorcism.

Exorcism: Live! will revisit the house that inspired the iconic movie The Exorcist on its 66th anniversary this October. The live event will take place at the original Exorcist House, where the infamous ritual was performed in 1949. The event will air on Destination America on October 30 at 9 p.m., timed for Halloween.

The flagship Discovery Channel has lined up Louie Psihoyos’s documentary Racing Extinction as a global TV event on December 2 at 9 p.m. The doc, from the group behind the Academy Award-winning film The Cove, exposes the world of endangered species trafficking and the race to prevent mass extinction. The broadcast event will see the film premiere in 220 international markets across the world within a span of 24 hours.

Investigation Discovery is to feature new programming with such well-known names as Barbara Walters, Wendy Williams and Chris Hansen. Walters will lead the brand-new series Barbara Walters Presents American Scandals, which debuts November 2. It sees the legendary newswoman revisiting some of her biggest stories, including exclusive new interviews. Williams is fronting Death by Gossip with Wendy Williams, launching October 9. The show features the TV personality uncovering crimes fueled by rumors and half-truths that lead to betrayal and even murder. Killer Instinct with Chris Hansen sees the investigative correspondent taking an in-depth look at America's most horrific crimes. The show debuts August 17. Also coming to Investigation Discovery is Do Not Disturb: Hotel Horrors, executive produced by renowned filmmaker Joel Schumacher. The network expanded its relationship with journalist Tony Harris, greenlighting a documentary special and limited series featuring reporting from the Al Jazeera America anchor. 

The all-new series Secret Space Escapes is lined up for Science Channel. Premiering November 10, the show will reveal inspiring accounts of survival and resourcefulness in the Space Age.

For the motoring channel Velocity, season two of Bitchin' Rides is kicking off September 29. The series sees the return of automotive artist Dave Kindig, who makes mechanical masterpieces come alive.

There are a number of new programs set for American Heroes Channel. This includes the special One Giant Leap, which commemorates the iconic 1969 Apollo 11 mission. The one-hour program is scheduled to premiere August 5. August 12 will see the debut of the new show Manhunt: Kill or Capture, which profiles history's most unforgettable chases and undercover operations. In American Titans, the network profiles the tycoons who made America, from Rockefeller to Hearst to Carnegie. That series is launching August 4.

The Discovery Family channel has the new original series From Wags to Riches with Bill Berloni premiering this August. The show brings viewers into the world of theatrical animal trainer Bill Berloni, who transforms shelter dogs into stars. It will debut as part of the network's month-long dog-themed programming event Pawgust. Animal advocate and actress Betty White is hosting the Pawgust event, which will kick off on August 1 with the broadcast of 101 Dalmations. The channel has lined up a slew of new family movies for its fall roster as well, including Robots, Annie, The Beverly Hillbillies and the Back to the Future trilogy. Discovery Family will be the exclusive home for the world premiere of My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Friendship Games on September 26 at 8 p.m. Also coming to the channel this fall is Lost and Found (working title). The new series, debuting in November, reunites grateful owners with meaningful mementos.