ALL-NEW DISCOVERY CHANNEL SERIES BRINGS LEONARDO DA VINCI'S INFAMOUS DRAWINGS TO LIFE FOR THE FIRST TIME

-- "DOING DAVINCI" Premieres Monday, April 13 at 10PM ET/PT --

(Silver Spring, Md.) -- One of the greatest artists of all time, the legacy of Leonardo daVinci (1452-1519) includes some of the most well-known paintings ever made. But daVinci's talent exceeded far beyond painting �- he was also a successful architect and engineer, and his drawings of military weapons have been highly regarded and studied for nearly 500 years. These drawings capture exceptionally engineered weapons unlike anything that had been developed at the time they were created, yet there is no record that these designs were ever constructed ... until now. Discovery Channel's six-part world premiere original series, DOING DAVINCI, puts a team of 21st century builders, engineers and historians together to take on one of history's greatest minds as they attempt to build daVinci's weapons once and for all. The series premieres Mondays at 10PM ET/PT beginning April 13.

Shot entirely in high definition, DOING DAVINCI puts a modern twist on the classics, taking viewers through the build process to determine whether daVinci's designs can be constructed to function as he had envisioned. Using materials only available in daVinci's time, the team works each week to construct his inventions -- from a futuristic armored tank to a towering three-story siege ladder to a scythe chariot -� to determine how realistic each design really is and whether his genius ideas are better left in the history books.

The DOING DAVINCI team consists of four energetic and experienced experts with complimentary specialties that work each week to create these never-before constructed inventions. Flash Hopkins is one of the most sought-after large-scale industrial artists in the country. Valek Sykes is a special effects expert and mechanical designer who has worked on motion picture features including I Am Legend, A.I. and Minority Report. Bill Duggan is a renowned carpenter and is the host of HGTV's Curb Appeal. The fourth role on the team � the builder � is shared by Jurgen Heimann and Alan Bovinett. Heimann has worked in several areas of filmmaking, including animation, special effects, performance and writing, and is a designer, builder and puppeteer. Bovinett is a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur who specializes in design.

In each episode, the team works closely with Dr. Jonathan Pevsner, an expert on Leonardo daVinci with several published books about the artist to his credit. He advises the team throughout the build process, providing them with insight into history and daVinci's intent.

On the April 13 premiere episode, the team takes a shot at constructing one of daVinci's most futuristic designs -- the armored tank, a design that could rival even modern-day inventions. Additional designs featured in the series include a machine gun, a self-propelled cart and a catapult.

DOING DAVINCI is produced for Discovery Channel by Pilgrim Films and Television. Craig Piligian and Rob Katz are executive producers for Pilgrim Films. For Discovery Channel, Tim Pastore is executive producer.

About Discovery Channel

Discovery Channel (DSC) is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which reaches 98.1 million viewers in the US, can be seen in over 170 countries, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.