TRAVEL CHANNEL'S HIT SERIES 'EXPEDITION UNKNOWN' STARRING JOSH GATES POSTS SECOND HIGHEST-RATED EPISODE EVER

Network Picks Up Season Four with 14 New Episodes

Josh Gates gives a smile while resting along the railing of a bridge full of prayer flags in Bhutan, as seen on Travel Channel's Expedition Unknown.

NEW YORK (March 13, 2017) - Travel Channel's hit series "Expedition Unknown" achieved its second highest-rated episode ever on Wednesday, March 8 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with its intriguing "The Ark of the Covenant" episode, nabbing the #11 spot for all viewers A25-54 and the #9 spot for M25-54 in its timeslot, among all ad-supported cable networks. The gripping episode, which follows avid explorer Josh Gates as he searches for an iconic biblical relic, attracted over 1.2 million total viewers and propelled Travel Channel to rate 63 percent higher than the prior season average for viewers A25-54 and M25-54.

The network has renewed the series for a fourth season, ordering 14 new episodes of the top-rated series, which is currently on track to garner its highest-rated season yet - posting a 37 percent increase in ratings year over year to date and attracting more than 10 million total viewers. The new episodes start production this spring, continuing Gates' global journey to find the truth behind captivating stories, digging through years of historical evidence, facts and myths.

"'Expedition Unknown' satisfies our audience's appetite for epic adventure," said Courtney White, senior vice president, programming, Travel Channel. "Josh's love of exploration, innate curiosity and sense of humor are contagious and help deliver the type of exhilarating travel programming that appeals to all audiences."

ABOUT TRAVEL CHANNEL

For virtual and active travelers who want to go on a thrilling quest; taste other cultures; enjoy the mystery of the unexplored; get a dose of epic adventure or a splash of wacky fun; there is no better daily escape than Travel Channel. Reaching more than 85 million U.S. cable homes, Travel Channel is the world's leading travel media brand. Fans also can visit Travel Channel for more information or interact with other fans through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Travel Channel is owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., which also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.