SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL(TM) COUNTS DOWN THE MOST TERRIFYING PREDATORS OF ALL TIME WITH

"TOP TEN DEADLIEST BEASTS"

TWO-HOUR SPECIAL PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24 AT 8PM ET/PT

NEW YORK - September 17, 2018 - An eight-foot Terror Bird with a head the size of a horse, a giant venomous lizard called Megalania and an aquatic scorpion the size of a human being. These aren't fantasy creatures but rather some of the most brutal predators to ever walk the face of the Earth. Premiering Wednesday, October 24 at 8 PM ET/PT, Smithsonian Channel's TOP TEN DEADLIEST BEASTS will count down the 10 most lethal animals in all of history, with computer-generated imagery showing these killers as they were in all their glory.

Ranking the beasts in order of the size of the prey they hunted, the special introduces viewers to familiar favorites such as the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Smilodon (otherwise known as the saber-toothed tiger), as well as lesser-known slayers such as the Megalania and Terror Bird. As the film team travels worldwide - from the Australian outback to the shark-infested seas of Southern Africa to the badlands of Montana - they are accompanied by scientific experts who explore fossil evidence revealing what these creatures looked like and how they may have hunted.

TOP TEN DEADLIEST BEASTS hones in on the incredible adaptations that allowed these beasts to reach the top of their food chain, featuring high-octane stunts and experiments showcasing the extraordinary abilities and feats of the Top 10. Whether it's crushing a car with the bite force of a prehistoric croc, testing how high a T-Rex could toss a man, or replicating the battering power of a sperm whale against a 40-ton battle tank, the special brings to life the true power of these predators.

TOP TEN DEADLIEST BEASTS is a Blink Film Production in association with Smithsonian Channel, France 5, SBS, N24, Channel 5 and BBC Worldwide. Dan Chambers is executive producer for Blink Films. Charles Poe and David Royle are executive producers for Smithsonian Channel.

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 factual entertainment, available in HD and 4K Ultra HD across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel, winner of Emmy(R) and Peabody awards for its programming, combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME(R) with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, travel, history, science, nature and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, America in Color, The Lost Tapes, Mighty Ships, Million Dollar American Princesses, The Pacific War in Color and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include The Coronation, The Mountain Lion and Me, Earth from Outer Space and Titanoboa: Monster Snake. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Earth(TM), through SN Digital LLC., a subscription video streaming service delivering spectacular 4K original nature and wildlife content. Smithsonian Channel is also available internationally in Canada, Singapore and Latin America. To learn more, go to www.smithsonianchannel.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.