TRAVEL CHANNEL GREENLIGHTS NEW ORIGINAL SERIES “STURGIS: 24/7 (wt),”

AND ONE-HOUR SPECIAL “NETHERWORLD” HOSTED BY ZAK BAGANS; PLUS NEW SERIES IN DEVELOPMENT “CELEBRITY LAYOVER (wt)”

NETWORK RE-UPS NEW SEASONS OF FOUR POPULAR PRIMETIME SERIES:

SEASON FIVE FOR BOTH “BIZARRE FOODS AMERICA” WITH ANDREW ZIMMERN, AND “THE DEAD FILES,” SEASON THREE FOR BOTH “TOY HUNTER” AND “TRIP FLIP,” AND ORDERS SIX ADDITIONAL EPISODES OF “AIRPORT: 24/7”

 Top row, left to right: Zak Bagans in “Netherworld”; “Sturgis: 24/7” (wt)

Bottom row, left to right: Andrew Zimmern of “Bizarre Foods America”; “Trip Flip” host Bert Kreischer; “Toy Hunter” Jordan Hembrough

CHEVY CHASE, MD (July 15, 2013) – Travel Channel greenlights two original productions – “Sturgis: 24/7 (wt),” a one-hour series that provides an up-close and personal view of South Dakota’s 73^rd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally – the largest motorbike rally in the world, as well as a one-hour special, “Netherworld,” which follows Zak Bagans (“Ghost Adventures”) as he travels to one of the world’s most mystifying locations – the Paris Catacombs.   In addition, the Network is in development for a new original series – “Celebrity Layover (wt),” featuring celebrities as they provide a unique local perspective on a destination in a window of 24 to 48 hours. The announcement was made today by Travel Channel President, Laureen Ong.

Travel Channel has also renewed four hit series for new seasons.  They include the fifth seasons of “Bizarre Foods America” with Andrew Zimmern and “The Dead Files,” and the third seasons of “Toy Hunter” and “Trip Flip.”  Additionally, the Network is adding six new episodes of “Airport 24/7: Miami” to the series’ current second season, extending its run through August.

“Travel Channel viewers are active trendsetters – they like to try new things, immerse themselves in cultural experiences and expand their knowledge of the world,” said Ong.  “We strive to reinvent the travel experience and look for ways to spotlight destinations from a unique lens – whether it’s from the seat of a motorcycle or with Zak Bagans as he explores the origin of supernatural based cultural customs.  Our diverse mix of entertaining programs will continue to inspire and inform.”

New program descriptions:

“STURGIS: 24/7 (wt)” (8 x 60)

“Sturgis: 24/7 (wt)” covers the 73^rd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and follows a few of the most standout occurrences that take place in a normally sleepy town.  From bike builders to biker babes, Sturgis Lawmen to Sturgis Virgins, tattoo shops to the largest biker bar in the world – this series is an around-the-clock chronology of the most outrageous party on the planet.  Produced by Big Fish Entertainment with Travel Channel’s David E. Gerber as Executive Producer.

“NETHERWORLD” (1 x 60)

In “Netherworld,” investigator Zak Bagans explores one of the world’s most mysterious and iconic locations – The Catacombs of Paris.  In this special, his mission is to explore the history, the culture and the mysteries behind this eerie underground graveyard, as it relates to the most important questions of life and death. Produced by MY Tupelo Entertainment with Travel Channel’s Daniel A. Schwartz as Executive Producer.

“CELEBRITY LAYOVER (wt)” (6 x 30)

“Celebrity Layover (wt)” features a different celebrity taking on the place in the world they know and love most, sharing secret hot spots, exclusive know-how and personal insights.  Produced by Marc Summers Productions with Travel Channel’s Daniel A. Schwartz as Executive Producer.

Additional show descriptions:

“AIRPORT 24/7: MIAMI” (6 x 30)

“Airport 24/7: Miami” will roll out six additional all-new episodes to its current second season run. The series grants an all-access pass inside the intense and dramatic world of Miami International Airport (MIA).  This season goes deeper behind the scenes to reveal the inner workings and happenings at MIA, whether it’s intercepting drug smugglers, fighting terrorism, securing an Air Force One landing, handling medical emergencies or dealing with sting operations and aircraft malfunctions.  Produced by 2C Media with Travel Channel’s Bill Howard as Executive Producer.

“BIZARRE FOODS AMERICA” WITH ANDREW ZIMMERN (10 x 60)

In the fifth season of “Bizarre Foods America,” chef, writer and culinary explorer Andrew Zimmern is back as he continues his quest to taste the weird and wonderful foods that can be found right here in the US. This time around, Zimmern heads to some of America’s iconic cities including Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Atlantic City.  Produced by Tremendous! Entertainment, Inc. with Travel Channel’s David E. Gerber as Executive Producer.

“THE DEAD FILES” (13 x 60)

This fall, “The Dead Files” returns for a fifth season with the extraordinary paranormal investigative duo Steve DiSchiavi and Amy Allan. DiSchiavi, a retired NYPD Homicide Detective, and Allan, a physical medium, combine their unique skills to solve unexplained paranormal phenomena in haunted locations across the U.S. DiSchiavi and Allan come together only at the end, to reveal the results as they formulate into one shocking – and often terrifying – conclusion.  This season the team travels to Chicago; Cressona, PA; St. Clair Shores, MI; and more. Produced by Painless Entertainment, Inc. with Travel Channel’s David E. Gerber as Executive Producer.

“TOY HUNTER” (13 x 30)

Back for its third season in 2014, “Toy Hunter” continues to follow acclaimed toy and collectible expert Jordan Hembrough as he travels across the country buying and selling great iconic toys. This new season will feature more celebrities as the scope of this toy hunter’s travels expands beyond basements and attics taking him to bigger conventions, more Comic-Cons, and even overseas. Produced by Sharp Entertainment with Travel Channel’s Daniel A. Schwartz as Executive Producer.

“TRIP FLIP” (13 x 30) 

Premiering in 2014, professional fun-seeker and travel expert Bert Kreischer is back for season three of “Trip Flip.” Every week he convinces two random people to spontaneously agree to a three-day surprise adventure. Kreischer delivers an action-packed itinerary stacked with the kind of VIP-access, high-octane activities, unexpected twists and celebrity appearances that only Travel Channel can deliver.  Produced by High Noon Entertainment with Travel Channel’s Dale Roy Robinson as Executive Producer.

TRAVEL CHANNEL (http://www.travelchannel.com) is a multiplatform travel lifestyle brand with the core mission of providing inspiring and compelling programming that takes viewers beyond their everyday destinations, making the unfamiliar familiar, whether it's around the world or around the block.  A dual feed network that is also available in HD, Travel Channel is the world’s leading travel media brand, and is available in over 94 million U.S. cable homes.  Owned and operated by Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), Travel Channel has offices in Chevy Chase, MD, and New York, NY.  Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.