Travel Channel Airs SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: THE MAKING OF SWIMSUIT '13 Tonight

Travel Channel joins with Sports Illustrated for an up-close-and-personal excursion to the exotic locales featured in the 2013 edition of SI Swimsuit multi-platform franchise. The one-hour Travel Channel original special, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: THE MAKING OF SWIMSUIT '13 - 7 Continents, 17 Wonders," premieres tonight, February 17 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and crisscrosses the world, giving exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into what makes these shoots so difficult, and so spectacular.

This year's Swimsuit production is a groundbreaking effort that brought the models and team to all seven continents - an unprecedented achievement -- to capture the breathtaking imagery from the farthest corners of the globe. This includes the first fashion shoot to take place on the ice-covered terrain in Antarctica. From battling sandstorms in the African dunes to traversing treacherous cliffs in Asia, we'll show what goes into capturing these singular moments on film.

"Hands down, this is the most fantastic armchair adventure you can take this winter," says Laureen Ong, President, Travel Channel. "We jumped at the chance to partner with Sports Illustrated, knowing our viewers will enjoy this fascinating and exciting travel show packed with extreme backdrops and locations. This is not an hour of just models posing on sandy beaches - this special takes viewers to all seven continents, spotlighting the most magnificent places in the world.

"Sports Illustrated: The Making of Swimsuit '13 - 7 Continents, 17 Wonders," is produced by Sports Illustrated Productions in association with Ocean Sky Films. SI's Ian Orefice and Christopher Hercik serve as executive producers. For Travel Channel, the executive producer is Dale Roy Robinson.

"The journey to all seven continents was a bold undertaking to deliver, once again, a spectacular Swimsuit production for our millions of loyal fans," said Mark Ford, President of the Time Inc. Sports Group. "We are delighted that the Travel Channel will present the vibrant behind-the-scenes narrative and visuals of this Epic and rigorous production. It will show a completely new and captivating perspective of the Swimsuit franchise."