NIK WALLENDA TO WEAR BLINDFOLD FOR PORTION OF TIGHTROPE WALK IN CHICAGO
SKYSCRAPER LIVE WITH NIK WALLENDA to air Live in More Than 220 Countries Beginning at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT, Sunday, Nov. 2 on the Discovery Channel
(Los Angeles, Calif.) - Nik Wallenda, "The King of the Highwire," announced today that he is planning to walk a portion of the tightrope walk over the Chicago skyline wearing a blindfold. The broadcast titled SKYSCRAPER LIVE WITH NIK WALLENDA will air live around the world in more than 220 countries beginning at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT, Sunday, November 2, on the Discovery Channel. It will be hosted by NBC News' Willie Geist, Natalie Morales and The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore.
"I'm always pushing myself both physically and emotionally. I hope to inspire people around the world and show that the impossible is not so impossible if you set your mind to it," said the 35-year-old Wallenda. "This has been a dream of mine and something that I've been practicing for awhile."
For the first part of the tightrope crossing, Wallenda will walk further than two city blocks - uphill rising to a 15-degree angle - from the iconic Marina City's west tower to the Leo Burnett Building at more than 50 stories high above the Chicago River. Not only will this be the highest skyscraper walk in the history of the Flying Wallenda family, it will be the first time that he has ever attempted it at such a steep angle.
Nik will then be blindfolded for the second part of the tightrope walk, which will span from the Marina City's west tower to the east tower. Dozens of cameras will be positioned across the city and on helicopters - capturing every step as Wallenda attempts to cross one of the windiest sections of Chicago.
"For both parts of the tightrope walk, I'm going to face challenges like I've never experienced before," Wallenda said. "I'll not only need incredible physical strength to complete this walk, but laser-focused concentration. I'm incredibly excited to show the world what you can do if you put your mind to it, pursue your dreams and never give up."
In addition, viewers who go online will get a front row seat to the event at SkyscraperLive.com. Available in 60 countries and 14 languages, the site will bring viewers from around the world to Chicago. Fans can join Nik on his training journey through the 'Road to Skyscraper' video series and take the walk for themselves with the 360 virtual walk and 3-D interactive experience. With additional camera angles from the walk and a live backstage pre-show with host Chris Jacobs, SkyscraperLive.com will take online viewers behind-the-scenes as Wallenda attempts his most thrilling high wire walk yet.
SKYSCRAPER LIVE WITH NIK WALLENDA is produced by Peacock Productions for Discovery with Gretchen Eisele, Colleen Halpin, Knute Walker, Benjamin Ringe and Betsy Wagner serving as executive producers. Sharon Scott is President and GM of Peacock Productions. Executive Producers for Discovery Channel are Howard Swartz and Denise Contis. Other Executive Producers include Nik Wallenda, David Simone, Winston Simone and Shelley Ross. To learn more, go to SkyscraperLive.com on Facebook at Facebook.com/discovery and on Twitter @Discovery.
About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 210 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 pay-TV programmer reaching 2.7 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity, engaging and entertaining viewers with high-quality content on worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery and Science, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery also controls Eurosport International, a premier sports entertainment group, including six pay-TV network brands across Europe and Asia. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
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