Science Channel and Overbrook Entertainment Announce New Production Deal

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SILVER SPRING, Md. and LOS ANGELES, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,Overbrook Entertainment and Science Channel announced a partnership to producean innovative, new two-hour television event, Young Scientist Challenge. Witha scheduled debut on January 18, 2009, this marks Overbrook Entertainment'sfirst foray into non-fiction television. Overbrook Entertainment partnersJames Lassiter, Will Smith, and Ken Stovitz will serve as executive producers.

The program will showcase the nervous energy, joy and drama inherent inthe ultimate science competition - the Discovery Education 3M Young ScientistChallenge. Cheered on by their friends and family, middle school studentsfrom around the country compete to be named the best-of-the-best. Thecontestants were chosen from thousands of nationwide entries, and this fallthe top 10 finalists converged on NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center inWashington, D.C. for an unparalleled battle of brains and innovation in thisunique science championship.

"We are enthusiastic about working with the Science Channel and believe inthe Young Scientist Challenge," said Overbrook Entertainment partner KenStovitz. "We enjoy the opportunity to get kids excited about learning."

"When Discovery Communications started this competition ten years ago, wewanted to inspire middle school students to continue their passion for scienceat a time when kids usually lose interest," said Clark Bunting, president andgeneral manager, Discovery Emerging Networks. "James, Will and Ken areincredible storytellers and we could not ask for better, more engaged partnersto help us create an entertaining special that puts these kids in thespotlight they so richly deserve."

In celebration of NASA's 50th Anniversary, the 2008 competition theme isThe Science of Space, and contestants will be judged on communications skills,knowledge, teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Judges determine the winnerthrough fun mini-competitions, including: large-scale, hands-on experiments;fast-paced quizzes; thoughtful and engaging presentations of difficultscientific concepts; and an innovation challenge where participants mustcreate something unique out of the "ingredients" provided. At stake is thetop prize - a $50,000 savings bond - and once-in-a-lifetime experiential prizetrips for the runners-up.

For the first time, the program will begin with the students in their hometowns, as they hear the exciting news that they've been chosen to go toWashington, D.C. From that point, they are on a whirlwind adventure, flyingto Washington to meet their competitors, making new friends with students whoare equally excited about all things science and teaming with real NASAscientists at a working space center. Viewers will be with the kids everystep of the way, from high-anxiety departures from home to the triumphant teamsuccesses and both disappointing and thrilling personal finishes inherent inthe battle to be named America's Top Young Scientist.

About Overbrook Entertainment

Overbrook Entertainment, an entertainment production company, was formedin 1998 by partners James Lassiter and Will Smith. In 2007 the companywelcomed a third partner, Ken Stovitz. Films the company has produced overthe last 10 years include "Ali," "I-Robot," "Hitch," "Saving Face," "ATL,""The Pursuit of Happyness," "I Am Legend," "Hancock," "Lakeview Terrace," and"The Secret Life of Bees." Future projects include "The Human Contract,"which will mark the directorial debut of Jada Pinkett Smith. OverbrookEntertainment also produced the television series "All of Us" which ran forfour years on UPN.

About Science Channel

Science Channel is broadcast 24 hours a day and seven days a week to morethan 55 million U.S. homes and simulcast on Science Channel HD. We immerseviewers in the incredible possibilities of science, from string theory andfuturistic cities to accidental discoveries and outrageous inventions. We takethings apart, peer inside and put things together in new and unexpected ways.We celebrate the trials, errors and brinking moments that change our livesforever. To find out more go to http://www.sciencechannel.com

About Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge

Celebrating the milestone of its 10th Anniversary, the Discovery Education3M Young Scientist Challenge is the nation's premier science competition formiddle school students, targeting kids in the years when research indicatestheir interest in science begins to fade and encouraging them to explorescientific concepts and creatively communicate their findings. Thecompetition is designed to nurture the next generation of American scientiststhrough an innovative and interactive science program open to every middleschool student in America.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world'snumber one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulativesubscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore theirworld and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led byDiscovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green,Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer andeducational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digitalmedia services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, pleasevisit http://www.discoverycommunications.com.

SOURCE Science Channel

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