Discovery Network International Acquires "Get Out Alive With Bear Grylls" From Electus International To Air On Discovery Channel Internationally

NEW YORK, April 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Networks International (DNI) and Electus International today announced the sale of "Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls," a new, larger-than-life and extreme adventure reality-competition series headlined by world-renowned adventurer Bear Grylls.  The series, which will premiere in the U.S. on NBC this Summer, is co-produced by Bear Grylls Ventures and Ben Silverman's multimedia studio, Electus. The series will premiere on Discovery Channel beginning in third quarter 2013 and will air in 218 countries and territories across Western Europe, CEEMEA (Central Eastern Middle East and Africa), Latin America and Asia Pacific.

"We are happy to be working with Electus to bring Bear's new survival program to DNI," said Luis Silberwasser, EVP & Chief Content Officer, DNI. "Survival is such a key genre for us and having Bear back home on Discovery Channel internationally is a great win for us.  Joining 'Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls' with our recently announced original commission, 'Bear's Ultimate Survival,' will guarantee our viewers the compelling heart-pumping programming that they expect of us." 

"Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls" features Bear putting teams of two to test the wild, well beyond their most extreme imaginations.  The series is filled with raw, tough, unrelenting journeys that inspires and teaches these teams the essentials of survival that may one day save their lives. Additional creative details will be revealed at a later date.

"There is no one like Bear – he is truly the most awe-inspiring talent the world of survival adventure has ever seen," said John Pollak, President of Electus International. "We could not be more proud to partner with Discovery Networks International to bring this show to life on such a global scale."

Grylls' passion for the outdoors was forged during his childhood in the UK on the Isle of Wight where his late father taught him to climb and sail.  Trained from a young age in martial arts, Grylls went on to spend three years as a soldier in the British Special Forces, serving with 21 SAS.  Despite a free-fall parachuting accident in Africa where he broke his back in three places, Grylls went on to become one of the youngest climbers ever to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Today, Grylls is perhaps best known for his international TV series "Man vs. Wild" (known as "Born Survivor" in the UK.), which has achieved a global audience of over 1.2 billion followers and author of his #1 best-selling book "Mud, Sweat and Tears."  

About Electus
Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world, including: broadcast, cable, digital, OTT and various emerging technologies. The company connects advertisers, distributors and content creators early on in the development process, enabling marketers and advertisers to be true partners in campaigns and content creation. Electus International, the global distribution arm of Electus, is responsible for all international sales and distribution for Electus' programming and its studio partners as well as programs and formats from other well-known 3rd party providers. Electus is an operating business of IAC (NASDAQ: IACI). For more information on Electus, visit www.electus.com.

About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.8 billion cumulative subscribers in 218 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 155 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. 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. Discovery Networks International distributes 26 international brands, reaching over 1.3 billion cumulative subscribers with programming available in 45 languages. For more information please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

About Bear Grylls Ventures
Bear Grylls Ventures (BGV), led by CEO Delbert Shoopman, manages all television, film, books, licensing and endorsement deals for the survival expert.  The goal of the company is to develop and endorse projects that embrace adventure and inspire people to realize their dreams.  Several product partners include Gerber Knives, Craghoppers, Bushnell, Coreban, Degree Men, Bear River and Dockers.

Media Contacts:
Discovery Networks International
Elizabeth Hillman, 240/662-2664
[email protected]

Electus/IAC
Justine Sacco,212/314-7326
[email protected]

Sunshine Sachs
Jessica Berger/Whitney Kuhn 212/691-2800
[email protected]/[email protected]

Bear Grylls Ventures
Delbert Dean Shoopman III, 424/229-9612
[email protected]

SOURCE Electus