What Would You Do in the Wake of a Global Catastrophe?

MIAMI, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- With the current flurry of dooms day talk as 2012 approaches, some have begun to wonder what they would do in the wake of a global disaster. How they would find the very basics of survival: food, water and shelter? The Colony, premiering January 18 at 9 PM ET/PT on Discovery en Espanol, is a controlled experiment that resides in reality and attempts to determine exactly what it would take to survive and rebuild a functioning new society when the world we've grown accustomed to has been destroyed.

In The Colony, a group of 10 volunteers whose backgrounds and expertise represent a cross-section of modern society, are isolated for two months in an urban environment in downtown Los Angeles and tasked with creating a livable society. With no electricity, no running water and no communication with the outside world, all they have to work with are their skills and whatever tools and supplies they scavenge from their surroundings.

Their world -- a 50,000 sq. ft. abandoned warehouse infested with rats and pigeons on three-and-a-half acres near the LA River - was designed by experts in homeland security, engineering and psychology using elements from both real-life disasters and models of what the future could look like after a global catastrophe.

Throughout the series, these experts comment on the challenges the Colonists would face in the context of real-world disasters as they work together to build the necessities of survival and society, such as a water filtration system, a battery bank for electricity, a solar cooker, a shower system, greenhouse - and even some comforts of home (a coffee maker!). Certain elements, such as tools and sparse food items, were strategically placed to represent what might be viably available in an urban post-disaster landscape, based on actual event data recorded during past real-life catastrophes.

As part of the experiment, a hostile gang of looters and thugs challenges their resources and security, prompting the Colonists to devise a safety plan to protect themselves. Throughout the two-month experiment, their emotions are put to the test as they work through their feelings of isolation, desperation and interpersonal relationships with each other.

The Colony experiment begins with an exciting weeklong stunt marathon (episodes 1-5) running from January 18th through January 22nd, 2010:

Ep.1 Arrival and Survival - 1/18 at 9 PM - ET/PT

Ten volunteers enter an experimental disaster-stricken world to see if they can survive and rebuild after a global catastrophe. Cordoned off in a downtown Los Angeles warehouse, they must secure shelter, filter water, and defend their new home from thieves.

Ep.2 Power Struggle - 1/19 at 9 PM - ET/PT

With their power supply dwindling, the volunteers attempt to build a generator that runs on smoke from wood scraps. When they scavenge the nearby streets for supplies, they must face off with a motorcycle-riding thug.

Ep.3 Comfort in Chaos - 1/20 at 9 PM - ET/PT

After securing the basic necessities for survival, the volunteers focus on the one creature comfort they can't live without: a hot shower. But focusing on comfort leaves them open to a massive attack that threatens their long-term survival.

Ep.4 Safety and Security - 1/21 at 9 PM - ET/PT

Following an attack that shatters the volunteers' sense of security; they must focus on building weapons and fortifying the warehouse. But before they can finish, a truckload of gun-toting traders arrives to test the volunteers' unity.

Ep.5 A Stranger Among Us - 1/22 at 9 PM - ET/PT

The survivalists have the opportunity to up their electricity and power capabilities when they scavenge a stock of abandoned solar panels. But the experiment takes a violent turn when a stranger breeches their security and tries to steal their supplies.

The Colony experiment continues with the remaining 6 fascinating episodes on Tuesdays at 09:00 PM - ET/PT starting on 01/26 (Loss and Communication, A Test of Faith, Recon Mission, Breaking Point, and Exodus).

For Discovery en Espanol programming information, interactive games and more, viewers may log onto discoveryenespanol.com.

About Discovery en Espanol

Discovery en Espanol is the Spanish-language voice of Discovery. It is the premiere network dedicated to offering the finest in quality programming in the areas of science and technology, world culture and history, nature and wildlife as well as real-life drama. The network creates an indelibly enriching experience by collecting the best of what Discovery's networks have to offer in combination with its own original Spanish-language content. Created by the world's most trusted media brand, Discovery en Espanol translates not just the words, but the feeling of Discovery, educating and engaging audiences nationwide with fascinating glimpses into the incredible world they inhabit. For more information, visit discoveryenespanol.com.

SOURCE Discovery en Espanol