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High-Octane Entertainment Fuels Velocity's 2016-17 Upfront Slate
Velocity Unveils 400 Premiere Hours Including 100 Hours of BARRETT-JACKSON LIVE, 13 Popular Franchises and New Original Series Headlined by SPEED IS THE NEW BLACK (wt) and WILD RIDES ALASKA (wt)
(New York, NY) - Americans love the thrill of the open road, and during 2015, they were along for the ride with Velocity as the network rolled to its best year ever. Planting its flag as a leading primetime television destination for Men, Velocity ended last year as the #1 non-sports network for both M18-49 and M25-54 in 4Q15 among its distribution tier*. Additionally, Velocity shifted into high gear in 2015 with significant primetime ratings growth in Men +10%, +14% in Households and +9% in Persons while primetime delivery produced gains of +24% in Men, +25% in Households, +20% in Persons, +2% M18-49, +6% in M25-54 and +3% in P25-54 vs. 2014.
Velocity's 2016-17 programming lineup of approximately 400 premiere hours will continue fueling the network's position as the #1 provider of high-octane entertainment. The 2016-17 programming slate features 13 returning series, 100 live hours of premier event coverage and several new series that once again include the most captivating stories, leading experts and the boldest characters the automotive world has to offer.
"After launching more than four years ago Velocity's new car smell isn't fading," said Robert Scanlon, General Manager of Velocity and Automotive Content. "Under our hood in 2016-17 are fan favorite franchises, exciting new series and electrifying live events powered by vibrant personalities, the most knowledgeable experts and riveting stories. The 50 million people - that's one in six Americans - who self-identify as motor enthusiasts can continue finding the very best of the car world on Velocity."
For many car enthusiasts the look of their car is a top priority, while others want one attribute over any other - speed. Thirty-year-old prodigy Noah Alexander's Classic Car Studio in St. Louis satisfies car owners' need for speed as the premiere automotive shop in the Midwest. He and his team are building custom cars - for those who want to participate in cross country rally races, go 200 miles-per-hour at the legendary Texas Mile or race their old Challenger against a newer model. In the all new series SPEED IS THE NEW BLACK (wt), Velocity brings viewers inside Noah's shop where cars are tailor made for a client's lifestyle, environment, driving style and driving mission. In addition to SPEED IS THE NEW BLACK (wt), Velocity adds two new series to the 2016-17 programming slate including the network's first foray into the wildly popular world of trucks in WILD RIDES ALASKA (wt), and RMD DESIGN (wt) features an award-winning, urban automotive design and build shop.
JUNKYARD EMPIRE and UNIQUE RIDES, two stellar original series, highlight the network's strong slate of 13 returning franchises this Upfront season. Now a top five series for Velocity after debuting in the spring of 2015, JUNKYARD EMPIRE follows the father-son duo of Bobby and Andy Cohen as they cut through the clutter of their crowded junkyard business and clashing management styles, to turn greasy parts or burned up engines into high-priced payoffs that keep the family empire thriving. Will Castro and his Team Unique crew return in UNIQUE RIDES to unite style, stunning visuals and impeccable craftsmanship into every vehicle they create for a new base of high-profile celebrity clientele. UNIQUE RIDES debuted on Velocity in February 2016 with singer-songwriter Jason Derulo, N.B.A. star Carmelo Anthony, N.F.L. star Odell Beckham, Jr., and more turning to Castro and Team Unique for exceptional, custom redesigned vehicles.
More returning hit franchises to the Velocity 2016-17 programming slate include the network's two most popular series BITCHIN' RIDES with host Dave Kindig and the global phenomenon WHEELER DEALERS with hosts Mike Brewer and Edd China. CHASING CLASSIC CARS starring Wayne Carini also returns, as well as FANTOMWORKS, GARAGE SQUAD, GRAVEYARD CARZ and Ray Evernham in AMERICARNA. ALL GIRLS GARAGE and CAR FIX, Velocity's two extremely popular automotive "how to" series, return to the network in the Spring of 2017.
BARRETT-JACKSON LIVE debuted in 2015 with 23 million people watching Velocity's premiere coverage of the four prestigious, world famous Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auctions. Ratings success followed suit in January 2016 with the second installment of BARRET-JACKSON LIVE from Scottsdale driving Velocity to its best primetime ratings and delivery week ever (January 25-31) across several demos, and planted the network as the #1 Primetime channel for Men among its distribution tier** for the week. BARRET-JACKSON LIVE returns to the 2016-17 programming slate with 100 hours of live coverage of Barrett-Jackson auctions in Las Vegas, Scottsdale, Palm Beach and Mohegan Sun.
*Among networks with under 70 million subscribers.
**Among networks with under 80 million subscribers.
The full list of Velocity's Upfront programming slate follows below.
4Q16
Returning Series
BITCHIN' RIDES
(12x60)
Premieres October 2016
Some great artists work with oil on canvas, others with clay, but for Dave Kindig, iron and chrome are the tools of his creative self-expression and he is an artist at the top of his automotive design craft. From his sprawling 27,000 square foot custom fabrication shop, Kindig It Design, Dave and his team use cars as their canvases to create extraordinary works of art for serious car lovers nationwide. Velocity is proudly giving audiences another glimpse into the imaginative genius of Kindig's self-made empire in season three of the hit series BITCHIN' RIDES.
GRAVEYARD CARZ
(13x60)
Premieres October 2016
GRAVEYARD CARZ host Mark Worman takes his "Mopar or No Car!" credo seriously as the first person in history to recreate Mopar(R) - the beloved 1970 Chrysler assembly line process. Ride along for new episodes as Worman, his best friend Royal, daughter Allysa and Will Scott bring audiences more history, more tech and more Mopar expertise. Relive the American muscle car phenomenon of the late 1960s and early 1970s one hour at a time on GRAVEYARD CARZ.
UNIQUE RIDES
(6x60)
Premieres November 2016
At Long Island, N.Y. based Will Castro's Designs, proprietor Will Castro and his Team Unique crew create exceptional custom vehicles for the most popular tastemakers of movies, music, television and sports. He's made four wheeled dreams reality for the likes of N.B.A. superstar Lebron James, singer and songwriter Jason Derulo, N.F.L. Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon, actor and comedian John Leguizamo, P. Diddy, N.Y. Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, actress Pamela Anderson and more. In the hit series UNIQUE RIDES, Velocity takes viewers inside Castro's extraordinary business, creative and production process as he and his team deliver the automotive dreams of the world's most demanding clientele.
Specials/Live Events
BARRETT-JACKSON LIVE - LAS VEGAS
(20 Live Hours)
Premieres October 2016
Established in 1971 Barrett-Jackson, the world's leading collector car auctions and automotive lifestyle events, specializes in providing products and services to astute classic and collector car owners and automotive enthusiasts around the world. Velocity's BARRETT-JACKSON LIVE brings viewers inside their biggest auctions across the U.S. including Scottsdale, Palm Beach, the Northeast and Las Vegas where hundreds of the world's most sought-after, unique and valuable automobiles cross the block.
1Q17
Returning Series
RESTORATION GARAGE
(12x60)
Premieres January 2017
Get into high gear and rev up for a busy season with lots of cool cars at the Guild of Automotive Restorers where David Grainger and his team salvage rare, classic gems from around the world. Grainger's automotive mavericks spin rust into gold, but not without hitting a few bumps in the road. RESTORATION GARAGE finds Grainger and his billionaire sidekick Larry Burns scouring elite auctions for four-wheeled treasures to fix and flip while shop manager Paul Taylor struggles to meet the demands of difficult clients and tight schedules that only add fuel to the drama on the shop floor.
WHEELER DEALERS
(9x60)
Premieres February 2017
For more than a decade, WHEELER DEALERS' Mike Brewer and Edd China have found, fixed, flipped, tested and traded over 100 cars on the international market. Now, the international hit and one of Velocity's highest rated series chases the American dream as Mike and Edd establish their shop in the most exciting and competitive car market in the world. From the sunny beaches of California to the coldest edges of Maine, the guys hunt coast-to-coast for the best vehicles to buy, restore, test and sell for a tidy profit in all new episodes of WHEELER DEALERS.
AMERICARNA
(10x30)
Premieres March 2017
For three seasons, three time NASCAR champion pit crew chief Ray Evernham has led viewers through the history of cool car moments in America. From automotive secrets hidden in Elvis Presley's private vault and the restoration of Jeff Gordon's famous championship race car to A-list celebrities sharing their favorite automotive stories, AMERICARNA has scouted the extraordinary lesser known moments that have helped shape American culture. Season four returns in 2017 with Evernham cross-crossing the country to open locked garage doors and lift the hoods on four-wheeled treasures.
ALL GIRLS GARAGE
(16x30)
Premieres March 2017
Season six of ALL GIRLS GARAGE taps into the expertise of hosts Cristy Lee, Rachel De Barros and Bogi Lateiner as they work behind the gears at an automotive shop. Each episode finds the women approaching complex projects that rival those undertaken by their male counterparts as they repair, modify, and restore all types of vehicles, and reveal some tips and tricks for the weekend mechanic in all of us.
CAR FIX
(16x30)
Premieres March 2017
Step inside the essential "how to" car series featuring the talents of Lou Santiago and Jared Zimmerman. In CAR FIX, this dynamic duo showcases special hands-on automotive projects including modifications, upgrades and repairs using high-end performance and aftermarket products that car junkies cannot wait to get their hands on.
CHASING CLASSIC CARS
(13x30)
Premieres March 2017
Collector car archeologist Wayne Carini, returns to pursue one-of-a-kind autos in secret stashes - homes, garages and barns - throughout America in season nine of the hit series CHASING CLASSIC CARS. Carini meets with some of the most admired collectors in the high-end car market, as well as restorer experts and artisans, making it his business to find and restore the world's rarest vehicles to their original beauty.
GRAVEYARD CARZ
(13x60)
Premieres March 2017
GRAVEYARD CARZ host Mark Worman takes his "Mopar or No Car!" credo seriously as the first person in history to recreate Mopar(R) - the beloved 1970 Chrysler assembly line process. Ride along for new episodes as Worman, his best friend Royal, daughter Allysa and Will Scott bring audiences more history, more tech and more Mopar expertise. Relive the American muscle car phenomenon of the late 1960s and early 1970s one hour at a time on GRAVEYARD CARZ.
Premiere Series
WILD RIDES ALASKA (wt)
(8x60)
Premieres February 2017
There's likely no other spot in the country where owning a truck is a must than in Alaska. Crazy weather and rugged terrain have Alaskans turning to Ryan Cropper the owner of Total Truck Customs. In Velocity's original series WILD RIDES ALASKA (wt) they design, fabricate and build vehicles that are "wild proof." Far from stock these cars, trucks and ATVs will pass any test in "The Last Frontier."
Specials/Live Events
BARRETT-JACKSON LIVE - SCOTTSDALE
(40 Live Hours)
Premieres January 2017
Established in 1971 Barrett-Jackson, the world's leading collector car auctions and automotive lifestyle events, specializes in providing products and services to astute classic and collector car owners and automotive enthusiasts around the world. Velocity's BARRETT-JACKSON LIVE brings viewers inside their biggest auctions across the U.S. including Scottsdale, Palm Beach, the Northeast and Las Vegas where hundreds of the world's most sought-after, unique and valuable automobiles cross the block.
2Q17
Returning Series
IRON RESURRECTION
(8x60)
Premieres April 2017
From motorcycles and cars to boats Discovery Channel's BIKER BUILD-OFF winner Joe Martin brings new life to old iron at his shop Martin Bros Customs outside of Austin, Texas in Velocity's IRON RESURRECTION. Working with his wife Amanda, and best friend Shag, this custom shop oversees every phase of restoration - from design, fabrication and mechanicals to the final paint job. IRON RESURRECTION has it all - the search for hidden gems, the haggling needed to buy them, the big time re-build by experienced designers and fabricators, and finally an eye-popping reveal and final sale.
JUNKYARD EMPIRE
(8x60)
Premieres May 2017
Don't tell Andy Cohen that "father knows best." As the owner of several successful auto businesses Andy manages the complexities of a custom car shop and the mayhem of a fast-paced junkyard where old autos, cast-off car parts and salvageable metals are turned into cold hard cash. He's trying to run a well-oiled operation and relies on his dad Bobby to help out by managing the very lucrative junkyard. But Bobby's easy going, old school ways conflict with Andy's hard charging style and sparks fly in an all new season of Velocity's hit series JUNKYARD EMPIRE.
FANTOMWORKS
(14x60)
Premieres June 2017
Every car has a story and if you can prove to restoration expert Dan Short that you love your vehicle and want the job done right he MAY accept you as a client. FantomWorks is a bustling shop with a busy production pipeline. From concept to execution, Dan and his team handle anything and everything in-house as they meticulously restore some of America's favorite rides. Old cars come with new obstacles every week including irate car owners, personality clashes, cost overruns, parts problems and walk-outs. Come along for the ride in an all new season of FANTOMWORKS.
WHEELER DEALERS
(9x60)
Premieres June 2017
For more than a decade, WHEELER DEALERS' Mike Brewer and Edd China have found, fixed, flipped, tested and traded over 100 cars on the international market. Now, the international hit and one of Velocity's highest rated series chases the American dream as Mike and Edd establish their shop in the most exciting and competitive car market in the world. From the sunny beaches of California to the coldest edges of Maine, the guys hunt coast-to-coast for the best vehicles to buy, restore, test and sell for a tidy profit in all new episodes of WHEELER DEALERS.
Premiere Series
SPEED IS THE NEW BLACK (wt)
(6x60)
Premieres April 2017
Some people focus on the look of their car, but others have the need... the need for speed. That's where 30-year-old Noah Alexander and his team at Classic Car Studio in St. Louis come in. In the original series SPEED IS THE NEW BLACK (wt), Noah and his team are redesigning beloved rides for going fast, and that are built to fit the owner perfectly like a fine suit. It's automotive customization for the younger crop of gearheads in SPEED IS THE NEW BLACK (wt).
Specials/Live Events
BARRETT-JACKSON LIVE - PALM BEACH
(21 Live Hours)
Premieres April 2017
Established in 1971 Barrett-Jackson, the world's leading collector car auctions and automotive lifestyle events, specializes in providing products and services to astute classic and collector car owners and automotive enthusiasts around the world. Velocity's BARRETT-JACKSON LIVE brings viewers inside their biggest auctions across the U.S. including Scottsdale, Palm Beach, the Northeast and Las Vegas where hundreds of the world's most sought-after, unique and valuable automobiles cross the block.
ISLE OF MAN TT
(7x60)
Premieres June 2017
Velocity is bringing viewers seven nights of same-day motorcycle racing coverage from the annual Isle of Man TT, arguably one of the most well-known road races in the world. With riders of all categories topping speeds approaching 200 miles per hour - on closed public roads - the route twists through mountains, fields and towns, offering an awesome motorsports viewing experience.
BARRETT-JACKSON LIVE - NORTHEAST
(20 Live Hours)
Premieres June 2017
Established in 1971 Barrett-Jackson, the world's leading collector car auctions and automotive lifestyle events, specializes in providing products and services to astute classic and collector car owners and automotive enthusiasts around the world. Velocity's BARRETT-JACKSON LIVE brings viewers inside their biggest auctions across the U.S. including Scottsdale, Palm Beach, the Northeast and Las Vegas where hundreds of the world's most sought-after, unique and valuable automobiles cross the block.
3Q17
Returning Series
CHASING CLASSIC CARS
(13x30)
Premieres July 2017
Collector car archeologist Wayne Carini, returns to pursue one-of-a-kind autos in secret stashes - homes, garages and barns - throughout America in season nine of the hit series CHASING CLASSIC CARS. Carini meets with some of the most admired collectors in the high-end car market, as well as restorer experts and artisans, making it his business to find and restore the world's rarest vehicles to their original beauty.
GARAGE SQUAD
(10x30)
Premieres August 2017
Across America cherished vintage cars lay abandoned because their owners lack the time, resources or simple know-how to get their autos road ready. Amateur mechanics always start with the best restoration intentions, but unfortunately, along the way, many weekend mechanics get in over their heads under the hood and are forced to put their beloved project on hold. Velocity's GARAGE SQUAD responds to the requests of home mechanics for much needed help completing their automotive endeavors. National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) driver Bruno Massel, lead mechanic Joe Zolper and new co-host Heather Storm bring expertise, parts, tools and a team of experts to work round the clock to transform neglected cars.
UNIQUE RIDES
(10x60)
Premieres September 2017
At Long Island, N.Y. based Will Castro's Designs, proprietor Will Castro and his Team Unique crew create exceptional custom vehicles for the most popular tastemakers of movies, music, television and sports. He's made four wheeled dreams reality for the likes of N.B.A. superstar Lebron James, singer and songwriter Jason Derulo, N.F.L. Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon, actor and comedian John Leguizamo, P. Diddy, N.Y. Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, actress Pamela Anderson and more. In the hit series UNIQUE RIDES, Velocity takes viewers inside Castro's extraordinary business, creative and production process as he and his team deliver the automotive dreams of the world's most demanding clientele.
Premiere Series
RMD DESIGN (wt)
(8x60)
Premieres September 2017
RMD DESIGN (wt) brings viewers inside the garage of Ralph Holguin, an entrepreneur who built his custom car company from a mobile detail business that he started at the age of 18. Holguin and the RMD team take pride in creating timeless automobiles, and jaw-dropping experiential advertising for top brands including Lexus, Ford, Red Bull, Toyo Tires, Pilot Automotive and more. RMD DESIGN (wt) brings viewers inside Holguin's garage as they push automotive design boundaries to create eye-popping wheels that make car lovers everywhere swoon.
About Velocity
Velocity, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), is the only upscale men's cable network that focuses on thrilling automotive for its viewers. Velocity programming is diverse, intelligent and engaging; capturing the best of the human experience as told by the top experts in the field. Formerly HD Theater, the fully HD network is available in 65 million homes. For more information on Velocity, please visit Velocity.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/VelocityTV or on Twitter @Velocity.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the leader in global entertainment reaching 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. Discovery satisfies curiosity, entertains and inspires viewers with high-quality content through global brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and through the Discovery Digital Networks portfolio, including Seeker and SourceFed. Discovery owns Eurosport, the leading pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
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