DISCOVERY EXTENDS SHARK WEEK WITH FIRST-EVER "SHWEEKEND" FEATURING SPECIAL, ALL-NEW SHARK PROGRAMMING AIRING SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 30

(Los Angeles, CA) This July, Discovery's SHARK WEEK returned bigger than ever before, blowing the competition out of the water and making a splash as the highest-rated SHARK WEEK in the event's 28 year history. And because viewers can't get enough of all things shark, for the first time ever, Discovery will introduce SHWEEKEND, a special weekend of all-new SHARK WEEK programming on Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30, officially making 2015 the "Summer of the Shark."

SHWEEKEND will feature four all-new SHARK WEEK programs throughout the weekend, delivering even more compelling and jaw-dropping shark stories and never-before-seen shark technology. SHWEEKEND programming includes: MythBusters vs. Jaws (WT) and Shark Alley (WT) on Saturday, August 29; and Air Jaws: Ring of Death (WT) and Still Alive: Shark Surprise (WT) on Sunday, August 30.

Below is the air schedule for SHWEEKEND 2015 (All Times Eastern/Pacific):

MYTHBUSTERS VS. JAWS - Airing Saturday, August 29 at 9PM ET/PT

In 2005, the MythBusters took a dive into shark-infested waters to test theories from the 1975 classic film "Jaws." In the episode, the MythBusters revisited the epic final scene of "Jaws" and tested whether shooting a scuba tank with a bullet would actually make it explode. The myth was busted, but many viewers thought they got it wrong. Now, ten years later and to coincide with the 40th anniversary of "Jaws," the MythBusters are back to test new ideas, theories and angles from the film. MythBusters vs. Jaws will not only retest the scuba tank explosion, but will also attempt to find out if the sounds of Orcas and the smell of dead sharks repel sharks.

SHARK ALLEY - Airing Saturday, August 29 at 10PM ET/PT

Imagine if you could live a day in the life of a Great White shark. Using the most advanced underwater surveillance system imaginable, Shark Alley will take viewers into the Great White waters that surround Dyer Island, South Africa. Shark Alley follows the adventure of a juvenile Great White as it learns what it takes to survive in the ruthless hunting grounds surrounding South Africa.

AIR JAWS: RING OF DEATH - Airing Sunday, August 30 at 8PM ET/PT

Now in its seventh installment, Air Jaws programming has pushed and expanded our understanding of Great White sharks and has become one of the iconic SHARK WEEK programs. In Air Jaws: Ring of Death, legendary natural history producer Jeff Kurr, world renowned shark photographer Chris Fallows and shark diver Dickie Chivell return to South Africa to embark on a quest to learn even more about Great Whites. Great White sharks live most of their lives on or near the sea floor where humans dare to venture. In the special, Fallows descends to the bottom in W.A.S.P., a craft that will allow him to enter the mysterious underworld of the Great White. Joining Fallows on the quest is Chivell with his own underwater craft called H.O.R.N.E.T. Chivell's goal is to capture the breach of a Great White shark from underwater and topside, and the result is one of the most spectacular scenes in SHARK WEEK history.

STILL ALIVE: SHARK SURPRISE - Airing Sunday, August 30 at 9PM ET/PT

Still Alive is a new series featuring the incredible stories of people surviving near-death experiences - with a twist! They were filming what they saw, when they thought they were going to die. In this SHWEEKEND episode, Still Alive: Shark Surprise, we experience two terrifying moments when divers come face-to-face with huge sharks. In Hawaii, a local spear fisherman gets an unwanted visit from a 13-foot tiger shark intent on stealing his catch; the incident is all caught on his head mounted camera. Later, in the treacherous waters near Western Australia, two young divers find themselves in a life or death encounter with a giant Great White. Stranded in open water, far from their boat, they must face off with the predator as it circles them and looks set to attack!

SHARK WEEK 2015 was the highest-rated SHARK WEEK in the event's 28 year history in Prime Time in Persons 25-54, Women 25-54/18-49. It was also the highest-rated SHARK WEEK on record in Total Day in Persons/Men Women 25-54, Persons/Women 18-49, Women 18-34, Persons 6-11 and Total Viewers P2+ from July 5-11 in L+3. Additionally, Shark After Dark, SHARK WEEK'S late-night talk show, hosted by filmmaker Eli Roth, grabbed its highest ratings in the history of the series (this is the third year). The series was up double digits vs. 2014 in Persons 25-54 (13% vs. 2014) and had its best ratings on record in Persons/Men/Women 25-54, Persons/Women 18-49, Women 18-34 and Total Viewers P2+. Shark After Dark also ranked #1 in its time period on cable across Persons/Men/Women 25-54.

About Discovery Channel

Discovery Channel 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 is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 224 countries and territories, 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 #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. For 30 years Discovery has been dedicated to satisfying curiosity and entertaining viewers with high-quality content through its global television brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery controls 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, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.