Animal Planet Launches Robust Slate of Original Web Series Featuring Stars of Network’s Top Series

’Turtleman Takes Manhattan’ and More to Premiere on AnimalPlanet.com --

Animal Planet’s slate of “surprisingly human” hit series is full of big drama, big entertainment and big characters. The network announces it’s getting even bigger with its first slate of original web series on AnimalPlanet.com that builds on and features the fascinating personalities on popular TV franchises like FINDING BIGFOOT, TANKED, PIT BOSS and CALL OF THE WILDMAN and more.

With short-form digital companions planned for seven of the network’s most popular returning TV series, the programming represents the network’s most expansive web slate to date, and includes:

Shorty’s Top Dog: The PIT BOSS, Shorty Rossi, always has his main man and service dog, Hercules, by his side. But which four-legged friend will be Hercules’ successor when the time comes for this top dog step down? This ten-episode series, available now online, follows Shorty as he travels to Mexico on his quest to find his future “number two.”

Tanked Aftershow: Premiering March 22, the Aftershow catches up with TANKED’s Wayde King, Brett Raymer and the ATM team and captures the behind-the-scenes stories about the ambitious aquarium projects they take on in each show. The 20-episode series will premiere each Friday on AnimalPlanet.com following TANKED premieres.

Hell Cats Revisited: How Do You Like Meow?: What happens to those troubled cat owners and difficult felines after MY CAT FROM HELL’s Jackson Galaxy leaves? In Hell Cats Revisited, debuting April 6, Galaxy catches up with the families featured in current premieres and some of the most hellish cats from previous seasons to see if life is still heavenly after expert advice from Galaxy.

How to Catch a River Monster: Beginning April 7, this returning online series features RIVER MONSTERS’ Jeremy Wade revealing how he captures the elusive, finned creatures featured in the network’s most-watched series. Wade provides the ultimate guide to fishing for monsters, revealing the tricks of the trade that help him hone in on some of the world’s most mysterious freshwater fish.

Turtleman Takes Manhattan: Kentucky’s own "Turtleman,” Ernie Brown, Jr., is known for his down-home ways and bare-handed, animal-trapping skills. However, the beloved star of CALL OF THE WILDMAN is a fish out of water in this eight-episode online series in which he explores Manhattan – from meeting the cast of Broadway’s Annie to pondering fine art. With his best friend Neal by his side, Turtleman Takes Manhattan premieres this May on AnimalPlanet.com.

“Animal Planet viewers turn first to our network for their favorite series and stars, and we look forward to helping them connect on an even deeper level with our new online series,” said Miguel Monteverde, Vice President of Digital Media, Discovery Communications. “From our long-form ‘surprisingly human’ franchises on the living room TV to complementary short-form web originals on smaller screens, our mission is to delight Animal Planet’s wildly passionate audiences across all platforms"

All of Animal Planet’s web originals will be available at AnimalPlanet.com and additional series extending on hit series WHALE WARS, FINDING BIGFOOT and others will be unveiled later this year.

About Animal Planet
Animal Planet Media (APM), a multi-media business unit of Discovery Communications, is the world’s only entertainment brand that immerses viewers in the full range of life in the animal kingdom with rich, deep content via multiple platforms and offers animal lovers and pet owners access to a centralized online, television and mobile community for immersive, engaging, high-quality entertainment, information and enrichment. APM consists of the Animal Planet television network, available in more than 96 million homes in the US; www.animalplanet.com, the ultimate online destination for all things animal; the 24/7 broadband channel, Animal Planet Beyond; and other media platforms including a robust Video-on-Demand (VOD) service; mobile content; and merchandising extensions.

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. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.