TLC Announces Revival of Popular Medical Documentary Series BIZARRE ER

Related: BIZARRE ER, TLC, Reality TV

TLC International today announced the revival of popular medical documentary series, BIZARRE ER. The award-winning[i] program from Maverick TV is narrated by famed singer, stage and TV actor John Barrowman, and features the compelling, fascinating and downright strange cases of amazing medical survival that come through hospital doors - from both sides of the pond. Internationally, BIZARRE ER is set to air beginning in March 2013 on TLC as well as on Discovery Networks International's (DNI) female-skewing global networks, Discovery Home&Health and Real Time. The series will also air on Discovery Fit & Health in the United States.

"With its combination of the 'only-on-TV' kind of medical emergencies, uniquely relevant factoids and a Touch of humor, the return of BIZARRE ER will satisfy our global audience's appetite for extraordinary and sometimes relatable medical programming," said Jon Sechrist, Vice President, Lifestyle Production and Development, TLC International. "We are thrilled to team up with Maverick to bring more of this popular and entertaining series to a global stage."

Mark Downie, Head of Factual at Maverick Television, said: "This new series features some of the world's most extraordinary ER cases - from the hilarious to the horrifying. From a case of lockjaw caused by eating a gigantic sandwich to a woman with an unexploded hand-grenade embedded in her cheek, we're proud to bring to TLC International some truly incredible stories which are a fascinating insight into the world of medical science and the remarkable resilience of the human body."

Filmed primarily in the US, the United Kingdom and with follow up stories from around the world, each 30 minute episode of BIZARRE ER follows several patients facing an unusual injury, from the moment they walk through the doors of the emergency room. Viewers will join patients through the process of diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately discharge from the hospital. The circumstances which caused these patients' peculiar injuries are often funny, and are reconstructed with Maverick's award-winning graphics and animations[ii]. From body piercings gone awry to an eye glued shut, BIZARRE ER brings viewers into the lighter side of the emergency room.

BIZARRE ER is produced for DNI and TLC International by Maverick TV. For DNI and TLC International, Jon Sechrist is executive producer and for Maverick, Head of Factual Mark Downie is executive producer.

About TLC International

TLC and the female flagships, the leading lifestyle and entertainment channels for women, are available in over 150 markets and reach nearly 300 million households outside the United States, including the programming block in China. The most widely distributed female-targeted entertainment and lifestyle channel brand in pay-TV, TLC is a global lifestyle and entertainment destination for women, presenting non-scripted and scripted programming featuring real life stories and universal themes that resonate with viewers around the world. TLC's programming is told through the lens of larger than life characters and adaptable formats, celebrating everything from relationships and life stages, to makeover and transformation to food and travel. In the United States, TLC is a top 10 network for women and one of the fastest-growing female lifestyle channels.

About Discovery Networks International:

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. Discovery Networks International distributes 26 international brands, reaching over 1.3 billion cumulative subscribers with programming available in 45 languages. For more information please visit www.discoverycommunications.com

About Discovery Fit & Health:

Discovery Fit & Health, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), entertains viewers with gripping, real-life dramas, featuring storytelling that chronicles the human experience from cradle to grave. Network programming includes forensic mysteries, amazing medical stories, emergency room trauma, baby and pregnancy programming, parenting challenges, and stories of extreme life conditions. Discovery Fit & Health also features popular online and social media destinations found at DiscoveryFitandHealth.com, facebook.com /DiscoveryHealth and twitter.com/disc_health.

About Maverick TV:

For two decades, Maverick has created hundreds of hours of award-winning shows from character-driven documentaries, factual and features series for all major UK broadcasters from their UK offices in London and Birmingham. In Spring 2012, Maverick launched an office in Los Angeles, USA. The multi-award winning company has enjoyed considerable success internationally, with its shows now sold to more than 130 territories. In recent months, Maverick has triumphed with programmes including International Emmy-winning Embarrassing Bodies: Live from the Clinic (Channel 4), Billy Connolly's Route 66 (ITV1), Britain's Next Big Thing (BBC Two), Gok's Teens: The Naked Truth (Channel 4) and My Naked Secret (Discovery Real Time). Alongside its broadcast output, Maverick pioneers in digital media: it has a treble-BAFTA and International Emmy award-winning multiplatform department, producing highly innovative content.