Discovery Captures Nik Wallenda’s Historic Tightrope Crossing Over the Grand Canyon
Discovery Captures Nik Wallenda’s Historic Tightrope Crossing Over the Grand Canyon
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TORONTO(June 23, 2013) – Tightrope walker Nik Wallenda, “The King of the HighWire,” has made history by becoming the first person ever to cross over theGrand Canyon. This was the highesttightrope walk ever attempted by Wallenda — towering 460 metres above theLittle Colorado River, a height greater than the Empire State Building. Discovery’s SKYWIRE LIVE WITH NIK WALLENDA aired live across Canada, the U.S.,and in 223 countries on Sunday, June 23.
Stunning success! Wallenda conquered the Canyonin an incredible live event on Discovery, shared in 223 counties
** NEW PHOTOS will be available for download later tonightat https://discovery.box.com/s/vfe81i5ckmtkt33m254z**
** FOOTAGE willbe available for download at 12 AM EDT on Monday, June 24. http://premieretvmedia.com/Client/Discovery/SkywireLive/**
“The GrandCanyon was a place I visited as a kid. For as long as I can remember, it hasbeen a dream of mine to cross over such a spectacular setting,” said the34-year-old Wallenda, a seventh-generation member of the legendary FlyingWallenda family. “I’m incrediblygrateful to the Navajo Nation for allowing me to accomplish my dream and theDiscovery Channel for trusting in my abilities.”
“This wascertainly history in the making,” said Eileen O’Neill, Group PresidentDiscovery and TLC Networks. “Nik inspires so many people around the worldto follow their dreams. We areincredibly proud to have brought this event into so many homes across thecountry and around the globe.”
Wallendawalked over the canyon on a tightrope, approximately 380 metres across, withoutusing any type of harness or restraint. Wallenda believes the harness creates a false sense of security anddiminishes a craft that his family has spent generations learning toperfect. The untethered walk was also achance to honour his great-grandfather, the legendary Karl Wallenda, who diedafter falling from a tightrope in Puerto Rico in 1978.
“A walk we’llnever forget, it was quite an honor to produce this historic live event forDiscovery,” said Sharon Scott, President and GM of NBC News’ PeacockProductions. “Nik’s vision and lifelongdream, this was a remarkable project to collaborate on, and we congratulate Nikon achieving this astonishing milestone.”
The tightropecrossing took place in a remote section of the Grand Canyon operated by theNavajo Nation Parks and Recreation and served as a spectacular backdrop to theevent.
“It was anhonour to have Nik Wallenda and Discovery Channel broadcast the event from ourtribal lands,” said Geri Hongeva-Camarillo, Media Representative of the NavajoParks and Recreation. “It was an opportunity to show the world the beautythat exists here and we hope that many viewers will make Navajo Nation one oftheir top destinations for travel.”
“The missionof the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department is to protect, preserve, andmanage tribal parks, monuments and recreation areas for the enjoyment andbenefit of the Navajo Nation,” said Helen Webster, Park Manager of Navajo Parksand Recreation. “The broadcast showcasedall the spectacular landscapes and areas of beauty and solitude.”
Viewers aroundthe world joined Team Wallenda through social media leading up to and during thehistoric walk. Discovery Channel sharedinsight about Nik, his family and training through videos, pictures, #SkywireTweets and more. Canadian and U.S. audiences also had the opportunity to go to SkywireLive.com and get Wired In through an immersive six-cameramultiplatform experience complementing the live Discovery on-air event.
The Grand Canyon walk marks Nik Wallenda’s eighthworld record, including his 2012 tightrope walk directly over the Niagara Fallsfrom the United States to Canada. Heis currently planning his next major feat, which may include stringing a wirebetween the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.
SKYWIRE LIVE WITH NIK WALLENDA was producedby Peacock Productions for Discovery with Gretchen Eisele, Knute Walker, PhilAlongi and Benjamin Ringe serving as executive producers. Howard Swartz serves as executive producerfor Discovery. Other Executive Producersinclude Nik Wallenda, David Simone, Winston Simone and Shelley Ross. To learn more, go to skywire.discovery.com.
About Discovery Canada:
Theworld is just awesome! With compelling real-life programming that inspires andentertains, Discovery reveals the world in all its wonder, diversity andamazement. Discovery offers a signature mix of adrenaline-charged stories,larger-than-life personalities and vivid imagery for viewers with curiousminds. With the best non-fiction programming from Canada and around the world,Discovery captures the excitement of a passion for life – one lived fully andat its most extreme. With exceptional and immersivestorytelling, the channel offers in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at theextraordinary people and places that shape our world. Launched in Canadain 1995, Discovery is now available in more than eight million Canadian homes.Discovery is offered in standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD)simulcast – for viewers who want an even bigger and bolder experience.Discovery Canada is a jointventure between Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’slargest communications company, and Discovery Communications Inc. Find moreinformation and interactive online features at Discovery.ca.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1nonfiction media company reaching more than two billion cumulative subscribersin 223 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfyingcuriosity through 162 worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel,TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as U.S. jointventure networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first24-hour 3D network. Across the Nordic region, Discovery owns and operates SBSDiscovery Media, a top-three portfolio of 20 television brands that featureleading nonfiction content, as well as locally produced entertainment programs,sports and the best scripted series and movies from major studios. Discoveryalso is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools andowns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, includingRevision3. Discovery Networks International distributes 33 internationalbrands, reaching over 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers with programmingavailable in 45 languages. For more information please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
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