SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL(TM) COMMEMORATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF LANDMARK SCI-FI TELEVISION SERIES WITH "BUILDING STAR TREK" SET TO PREMIERE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 AT 8 P.M. ET/PT

Two-Hour Special to Take In-Depth Look At Far Reaching Influence That Original Star Trek Series Has Had on Science And Technology

NEW YORK, JULY 6, 2016 - Smithsonian Channel will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek with a two-hour special that will take a look at the lasting influence the original Star Trek series has had on the world. BUILDING STAR TREK will premiere Sunday, September 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel.

When the series debuted on September 8, 1966, the world was introduced to a number of alien concepts, such as hand-held communication devices, desktop computers, space shuttles, touch screens, and more. Star Trek's visionary creator was remarkably able to conceive of a world so different from his own that the series would go on to have a profound legacy in television history.

BUILDING STAR TREK will follow the conservation team from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum as they attempt to restore and conserve the original 11-foot, 250-pound model of the U.S.S. Enterprise from the original series. The special also will track the effort to rebuild a model of the original U.S.S. Enterprise bridge by using authentic set pieces and props, which recently went on display at Seattle's EMP Museum.

The two-hour special also profiles a new generation of engineers and scientists who are making Star Trek's visionary technology real, pushing the boundaries of physics with inventions first conceived on the iconic series: warp drives, medical tricorders, cloaking devices and tractor beams. Proving that one TV show has truly gone where no man has gone before, BUILDING STAR TREK will showcase clips from the original series that highlight each scientific innovation and the new technologies that have inspired generations.

Smithsonian Channel is also launching the BUILDING STAR TREK Sweepstakes www.buildingstartreksweeps.com, which is offering Trekkies the chance to win a trip to Star Trek: Mission New York. This three-day event is the ultimate destination for Star Trek fans, filled with interactive exhibits, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, screenings and much more. Star Trek: Mission New York will take place September 2-4, 2016 at the Javits Center in Manhattan. One sweepstakes winner will win a four-night trip to New York, VIP passes to Star Trek: Mission New York and VIP passes to the Starfleet Academy Experience at the Intrepid Museum. See official rules.

BUILDING STAR TREK is being produced by Yap Films for Smithsonian Channel and Discovery Canada. Executive producers for Yap Films are Elliott Halpern and Elizabeth Trojian. The writer and director is Mick Grogan. Executive producers for Smithsonian Channel are David Royle, Charles Poe and Tim Evans.

Smithsonian Channel(TM), owned by Smithsonian Networks(TM), a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where curiosity lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME(R) with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create award-winning programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, history, science, nature, and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, Million Dollar American Princesses, The Weapon Hunter, Mighty Ships, Mighty Planes and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include Civil War 360, 9/11: The Heartland Tapes; MLK: The Assassination Tapes and The Day Kennedy Died. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Earth(TM), through SN Digital LLC., a new subscription video streaming service delivering spectacular original nature and wildlife content. To learn more, go to www.smithsonianchannel.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.