| New Delhi, September
09, 2006: As the world continues to mourn the loss of Steve Irwin, Animal Planet
International will broadcast a special full day programming tribute beginning
on Sunday, 10th September at midnight. The event will highlight Steve's background
and personal history, from his early days at Australia Zoo, to his worldwide fame
as the Crocodile Hunter, as well as his boundless passion for wildlife and his
family. This special programming marathon will feature some of the best episodes
from the long-running Crocodile Hunter series, which showcase Steve's dedication
to conservation and his exuberant approach to educating viewers about the natural
world. Discovery Communications is deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden
loss of Steve Irwin, who was beloved by millions of fans and animal lovers around
the world and was one of our planet's most passionate conservationists. He has
graced Animal Planet's air since October 1996 and was essential in building Animal
Planet into a global brand. Rebecca Batties, Executive Vice President of
Creative Development for Discovery Networks International, overseeing Animal Planet
International said, "Steve was a true pioneer and heralded a fresh and innovative
approach to wildlife filmmaking. He invigorated the genre and introduced a new
generation of viewers to the natural world with his joyful, enthusiastic style.
We are celebrating his legacy by showcasing his unforgettable work on Animal Planet."
Animal Planet is proud to broadcast the following programs as part of Sunday's
special tribute: Start Time Programme Title 00:00
Operation: Bunya Rescue 1:00 Lights! Croc! Action! 2:00
Crocodile Hunter Wildest Home Videos 3:00 Captured On Camera 4:00
They Shoot Crocodiles, Don't They? 5:00 Search For A Super Croc
6:00 Steve's Singapore Safari 7:00 Final Entry 8:00
Confessions Of The Crocodile Hunter 9:00 Steve's Story 10:00
Crocodile Hunter Up Over The Down Under 11:00 Outback To Hollywood
12:00 Operation: Bunya Rescue 13:00 Lights! Croc! Action!
14:00 Crocodile Hunter Wildest Home Videos 15:00 Captured
On Camera 16:00 They Shoot Crocodiles, Don't They? 17:00
Search For A Super Croc 18:00 Steve's Singapore Safari 19:00
Final Entry 20:00 Confessions Of The Crocodile Hunter 21:00
Steve's Story 22:00 Crocodile Hunter Up Over The Down Under 23:00
Outback To Hollywood To honour Steve and the enormous
contribution he made to the world and to our company, DCI will rename the garden
space in front of Discovery's world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, the
"Steve Irwin Memorial Garden ."
In addition, DCI is planning to
create the Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter Fund. The Fund will be established to
honour Steve's passion and exuberance for conservation and the animal kingdom
and is expected to provide a way for people from across the globe to make contributions
in Steve's honor to support wildlife protection, education and conservation. Immediate
contributions in the memory of Steve Irwin can be made to the Wildlife Warriors
Fund at www.wildlifewarriors.org.au Animal Planet grabs you. The world's
leading animal entertainment brand, Animal Planet reaches 195 million subscribers
in more than 160 countries outside of the United States with programming customized
in 24 languages. Offering intrigue, adventure, humor, relationships, life and
death, Animal Planet is the only television network on the planet dedicated to
people's fascination with animals. A joint venture between Discovery Communications
and BBC Worldwide, Animal Planet launched in India in 1998 and is currently distributed
to 24 million subscribers in the region. |