New True-Crime Series Killing Fields Part of Discovery’s 2016 Lineup

LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK: Discovery Communications has revealed a slew of programming highlights for its bouquet of networks, including the flagship Discovery Channel, which is airing its first true-crime series, Killing Fields.

Killing Fields, which debuted earlier this week, takes viewers inside an active criminal investigation as it unfolds. The show is filmed in real time and follows the hunt for the killer. It is produced by Leftfield Entertainment’s Sirens Media. Another Discovery Channel highlight is Telescope, which explores the making of NASA’s James Webb space telescope. Telescope, which comes from Oscar-nominated filmmaker Nathaniel Kahn, will premiere as part of Science Weekend on February 20 at 9 p.m. exclusively on Discovery Channel. Science Channel will launch the film, which is produced by Radical Media in association with Crazy Boat Pictures, at the same time on February 21.

Due to debut this spring on TLC is Single Dad Seeking…, a tentatively titled new series about single fathers and their love lives. The show is produced for the network by Bray Entertainment.

February 7 will see the Discovery Studios-produced Puppy Bowl XII airing on Animal Planet from 3 to 5 p.m. Accompanying the broadcast of the event is Puppy Bowl Virtual Reality, which allows users to get up close and personal with the canines. The network also is partnering with the Pro Football Hall of Fame to introduce the Puppy Bowl Hall of Fame to honor legacy players throughout Puppy Bowl and promote the adoption of older animals in addition to puppies and kittens.

Over at Investigation Discovery (ID), Oscar-nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger has signed on for Judgment Day: Prison or Parole?, which explores the process of paroling. The new three-part series is slated to begin airing in the spring. It is produced for ID by Blumhouse Productions and Radical Media.

“Led by the esteemed filmmaker Joe Berlinger, Judgment Day: Prison or Parole? is an incredible series that takes viewers into the heart of the justice system,” said Henry Schleiff, the group president of Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel and Destination America. “With Joe’s incredible and proven track record of shining a light on critical aspects of the justice system—from his work in Brother’s Keeper, to the Oscar-nominated and Emmy and Peabody Award-winning Paradise Lost trilogy—we are thrilled to be able to offer our viewers the front-row seat to his next criminal-justice project. Deciding between forgiveness and freedom and risk and responsibility, Judgment Day offers great insight into the lesser-known side of the law and we are, indeed, proud to partner with Joe on this important documentary series.”

“I am thrilled to work with Investigation Discovery, as well as my partners at Radical Media and Blumhouse Productions on Judgment Day,” noted Berlinger. “ID understands the power of the medium to inform audiences, and as the leading crime and justice network, is the perfect home for this immersive and compelling new series that unveils a very high-stakes game encountered by the parole boards and those affected by the crimes.”

ID has also lined up Hate in America, a new docuseries spotlighting the case files of America’s leading hate crime fighters at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). The program, hosted by Emmy-winning journalist Tony Harris, is produced by NBC News’ Peacock Productions. It will premiere exclusively on ID on February 29 at 8 p.m.

“The SPLC is the preeminent group fighting daily to cripple America’s most notorious hate groups and to champion the cause of equality and fairness,” said Schleiff. “A personal hero of mine, it is a privilege to bring the story of Morris Dees and his amazing team at the SPLC to ID viewers. While there are many unsung heroes of the civil rights movement, Morris has devoted a lifetime of work and has fought tirelessly to protect the rights and freedoms of all U.S. citizens.”

“Unfortunately, our nation has a history of not recognizing the threat of hate groups and other extremists until they have lashed out with deadly violence,” stated Dees. “At the Southern Poverty Law Center, we have spent decades monitoring this threat and taking extremists to court when they resort to violence. We were eager to open our case files for Investigation Discovery and share stories of our most harrowing cases to raise awareness about the extremist threat in America.”

In addition, ID has greenlit Front Page: The Steven Avery Story, which will present the details surrounding the Steven Avery case featured in the Netflix series Making a Murderer. Journalist and Dateline NBC correspondent Keith Morrison has been tapped as host of the Peacock Productions special, which is due to debut later this month.

“We are excited to share with viewers the latest in this compelling saga,” remarked Schleiff. “Following our investigation, we expect that Front Page: The Steven Avery Story will present crucial testimony and information that addresses many of the questions surrounding Steven Avery.”

Returning to Science Channel on February 23 at 10 p.m. will be NASA’s Unexplained Files. “Science Channel is the home to more space programming than any other network, from awe-inspiring tours of the solar system to series like NASA’s Unexplained Files, revealing and exploring the many mysteries that space has to offer,” said Marc Etkind, the network’s general manager.

Science Channel also lined up an all new season of Outrageous Acts of Science, which premieres tomorrow night at 9 p.m. “Outrageous Acts of Science and our panel of experts show that science really is everywhere, including the middle of the pop-culture zeitgeist in the most imaginative, fun and outrageous viral videos we share with each other every day,” said Etkind.

Destination America has signed up ghost-hunting experts Nick Groff and Katrina Weidman for Paranormal Lockdown, which will see the pair “live with the dead.” The show is produced for Destination America by Groff Entertainment. It will begin airing on March 4 at 10 p.m.

“As valued fixtures of the paranormal community, Nick and Katrina have years of thrilling investigation under their belts and join the Destination America family with huge support from their fans,” said Jane Latman, the general manager of Destination America. “Overnight explorations are a staple of ghost hunting, but Paranormal Lockdown supersizes the suspense in a round-the-clock, multi-day investigation that has never been conducted before on a paranormal TV series.”

“Living with the dead was a whole new experience for me and Katrina, giving us the opportunity to document some incredibly enticing evidence about the afterlife that we can’t wait to reveal to Paranormal Lockdown‘s viewers,” added Groff.

American Heroes Channel’s (AHC) Q1 slate includes Justice for MLK: The Hunt for James Earl Ray, a two-hour event airing on January 17 at 9 p.m. “The loss of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. devastated millions of followers and admirers—it was a turning point in American history and a tragedy felt the world over,” said Kevin Bennett, the general manager of AHC. “This blue-chip special offers a poignant look at all the key players who rose to the occasion in these dark days to track down a killer who managed to stay one step ahead—and to finally bring justice to Dr. King.”

Kate Harrison, the president of Cream Productions, commented: “The details and events of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and the FBI’s manhunt have been obscured in myth and conspiracy theories. With this film we are taking an almost forensic look at the investigation that led the FBI to James Earl Ray. Viewers will see for the first time some incredible photography in the moments after the shooting, hear police dispatches and relive King’s final moments as told by those closest to him. We are delighted to work with AHC to present new insights into one of America’s most remarkable leaders.”

January 23 will see AHC kick off Western Week, a programming stunt led by the two-part television event The Cowboy. Other premieres include the two new original series Blood Feuds and American Lawmen, which will debut at 10 p.m. on January 6 and February 17, respectively. “Western Week explores the facts and the folklore surrounding the American Frontier, providing a credible, entertaining and nostalgic look into an iconic time in our country’s history,” noted Bennett. “AHC showcases the historical and cultural importance of this period with extraordinary storytelling, expert insight and exclusive interviews—from the early days of the Wild West as told in our all-new series Blood Feuds, to an in-depth look at the modern hero of the era in The Cowboy.”

This quarter, AHC will also feature the return of Against The Odds, What History Forgot and Codes and Conspiracies.