DISAD Discovery Communications, (MM)

- World Premiere 11-Part Series Kicks Off Thursday, January 15 at 10PM ET/PT - SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- TREASURE QUEST takes the meaning of "cold case" to a new level - it's not always what you find, but what you find out. Discovery Channel and Odyssey Marine Exploration (OME), the world's only publicly-traded company dedicated to deep ocean shipwreck exploration, plunges viewers to the ocean floor as they track the unsolved mysteries of the deep sea in this 11-part world premiere series. The nonstop race against time, secret locations and international intrigue will make the viewer's pulse race and remind them of their childhood fantasies. For the Odyssey crew and the Discovery Channel production team, it is a dream job -- but not one without its major challenges. TREASURE QUEST premieres Thursdays at 10PM ET/PT, beginning January 15, 2009. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080919/NEF051LOGO-b) Taking viewers on the hunt for precious artifacts, TREASURE QUEST combines the exciting search for valuable treasure with cutting edge technology and the captivating stories of the historic ships and those who sailed them. With over three million shipwrecks estimated on the ocean's floor, Odyssey has abundant opportunity for both tremendous successes -- and huge failures. There's a ton at stake, and what they find could contribute not only to the historical record, but could make Odyssey's shareholders immensely rich. Led by their driven Chairman and CEO Greg Stemm, a pioneer in deep-ocean exploration, the Odyssey team includes some of the world's finest researchers, deep-ocean marine archaeologists, ROV pilots and technicians, shipwreck artifact conservators, information technology developers and data managers. Rounding out the team is Tom Dettweiler, who was the leader of the team that discovered the Titanic, and whose resume reads like an encyclopedia of deep-ocean adventure. As the Odyssey crew identifies high-value targets across the world's oceans, TREASURE QUEST provides an intimate look at the adventure, drama and high stakes involved in deep ocean exploration - and the amazing things they often find at the shipwreck sites. From scrutiny by international military forces to investigating the wreckage of the Lusitania and a 19th century paddle-wheel steamer, few challenges are too great for Stemm and his crew. Online, viewers can dive deeper into the shipwrecks featured in TREASURE QUEST at discovery.com/treasurequest. Online features will include shipwreck tours, disaster timelines and a treasure chest that details the types of coins and artifacts brought up from the depths. Users will get a closer look at life on a modern-day exploration vessel in exclusive webisodes, from gourmet meals (fruit sculptures!?) to MacGyver-like ingenuity and high-seas hijinks. Odyssey's unique and spectacular shipwreck photomosaics and crystal clear images of previously undiscovered deep ocean sites will also be available on the site. TREASURE QUEST is produced for Discovery Channel by JWM Productions. Jason Williams and Bill Morgan are executive producers for JWM. Paul Gasek is executive producer for Discovery Channel. About Discovery Channel DISCOVERY CHANNEL (DSC) is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which reaches 98.1 million viewers in the US, can be seen in over 170 countries, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit http://www.discovery.com/. About Discovery Communications Discovery Communications (NASDAQ:DISADNASDAQ:DISBDNASDAQ:DISCK) is the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit http://www.discoverycommunications.com/. About Odyssey Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (NasdaqCM: OMEX) is engaged in the exploration of deep-ocean shipwrecks and uses innovative methods and state-of-the-art technology to conduct extensive search and archaeological recovery operations around the world. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080919/NEF051LOGO-bDATASOURCE: Discovery Channel CONTACT: Elizabeth Hillman, +1-240-662-2664, , or Katherine Nelson, +1-310-975-5975, Web Site: http://www.discovery.com/ http://www.discoverycommunications.com/

Copyright