The Emmy Award-Winning ATLAS Returning Franchise Takes Viewers Into The Fourth Dimension Of Time Travel (In 3D!)

Discovery Channel Taps Darlow Smithson for World Premiere Special Series Coming Spring 2010

Discovery Channel's award-winning series returns traveling through time as ATLAS 4D and airing its stunning visuals and state-of-the-art graphics for the first time in 3D.  ATLAS 4D transports viewers through millions of years of evolving geology and climate - past, present and future.  In this three hour special event, dynamic regions are featured and explained, including the African Great Rift Valley, the Mediterranean and the islands of Hawaii.  Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP) is producing the original three-part special for Discovery.

ATLAS 4D travels across time to tell the science and history of each stunning locale, uncovering extraordinary and surprising connections between the landscape, natural history and indigenous peoples. Previously unknown connections include how the spread of Islam sparked the Italian Renaissance, how an ancient ice age provided Polynesian settlers in Hawaii with a breakthrough technology and how the formation of the Rift Valley forced a crucial evolutionary step for humankind.

"ATLAS 4D is going to amaze viewers as they see the 'how' and 'why' of some of the globe's most riveting locales.  We believe that 'discovery' is not just our name, it is our overarching mission," said Clark Bunting, president and general manager, Discovery Channel. "The [4D] time-machine is an extremely innovative filmmaking technique and Darlow Smithson is leading the pack in this field.  This type of creative tool enables us to tell science and history stories and enhances John Hendrick's vision of telling the world's stories in a new and riveting way."

The critically praised, Emmy® award-winning ATLAS first premiered in 2006.  The brainchild of Discovery Communications founder and chairman John Hendricks, ATLAS was the most ambitious high-definition television project ever to go into production.  The special event series combined captivating photography and cutting-edge special effects to paint a record of civilizations and geographies.  Hendricks' on-air vision grew into robust educational offerings with teaching materials and resources still being used in classrooms around the world.

"We are building on an already successful Discovery property that has, for the last few years, brought the natural beauty of the world to audiences via groundbreaking technology.  ATLAS 4D takes a completely new approach with a fully narrated series, richer graphics in HD and a focus on stunning regions rather than countries.  We hope this is just the beginning for this revitalized brand," said John Smithson, DSP's executive chairman and chief creative director.

ATLAS 4D is a Darlow Smithson Production for Discovery Channel. John Smithson and Sarah Swingler are executive producers for Darlow Smithson.  Susan Winslow is executive producer for Discovery Channel.