THE PRESIDENTS’ GATEKEEPERS Break Their Silence Exclusively to Discovery Channel

The Power behind the Presidency, History in Their Own Words --

(Los Angeles, Ca.) There’s the power of the presidency and then there’s the power of the men behind the president. Discovery Channel lifts the curtain for the extraordinary behind the scenes history of the White House Chiefs of Staff in THE PRESIDENTS’ GATEKEEPERS, a 2013 world premiere television special event.

From the acclaimed filmmaking team of brothers Gedeon and Jules Naudet (9/11, In God’s Name) Peabody Award-winning news producer Chris Whipple (60 Minutes, ABC News), and Peacock Productions comes an unprecedented series looking at the key moments, the quiet conversations, back room bargains and heated debates that made history and have never been heard before until now. In addition, Pulitzer Prize winning White House photographer David Hume Kennerly serves as producer of THE PRESIDENTS’ GATEKEEPERS, lending his extraordinary body of work to tell this rich, untold history.

“When Discovery does history it’s about great storytelling. That’s why I am so excited about THE PRESIDENTS’ GATEKEEPERS. We are working with the best filmmakers in the business, offering the ultimate insider’s guide to the modern presidency,” said Eileen O’Neill, Group President of Discovery and TLC Networks.

Called the world’s second toughest job - and also the world’s worst, the White House chiefs of staff translate the presidents’ policies into reality - or disaster. They are the inside eyewitnesses to history, and the confidants with whom the president, and the first lady, share their secrets. THE PRESIDENTS’ GATEKEEPERS spans nine administrations with interviews from former Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush as well as former chiefs of staff including Rahm Emanuel, Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, James A. Baker III, John Sununu and Mack McLarty.

THE PRESIDENTS’ GATEKEEPERS is surprising and revealing. How did Reagan’s chiefs James Baker and Ken Duberstein handle the demands of Nancy Reagan’s infamous astrologer? What experience as White House Chief of Staff does Dick Cheney blame for bringing on his first heart attack? Why was Rahm Emanuel so apprehensive about taking the job? What moment of crisis under Lyndon Johnson, unknown to the public, brought the U.S. and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war? Would Jimmy Carter have avoided the disastrous mission to rescue the American hostages in Iran - if only he’d asked his Chief of Staff Jack Watson? Which 25-year-old Chief of Staff was put in charge of reviewing J. Edgar Hoover’s infamous FBI files before forwarding them to the president?

THE PRESIDENTS’ GATEKEEPERS is produced for Discovery Channel by Goldfish Pictures Inc., CCWHIP Productions and Peacock Productions. Executive Producers for Goldfish Pictures are Gedeon and Jules Naudet. Executive Producer for CCWHIP Productions is Chris Whipple. THE PRESIDENTS’ GATEKEEPERS is directed by Gedeon and Jules Naudet, and subjects are interviewed by Chris Whipple. Executive Producer for Peacock Productions is Knute Walter. David Hume Kennerly is Producer. For Discovery Channel, Nancy Daniels serves as Executive Producer.

About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel 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 is distributed to 100.1 million U.S. homes, can be seen in over 180 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 www.discovery.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 217 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 153 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.