First Live HD Auto Auction Series, Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars and More

SILVER SPRING, Md. & MARENGO, Ill.--Revving up its programming engine, today HD Theater and Mecum Auction Company announced MECUM AUTO AUCTION: MUSCLE CARS AND MORE, the first live high-definition auto auction weekly series covering Mecum’s premier events, specializing in high-end muscle cars, timeless classics and rare exotics. MECUM AUTO AUCTION: MUSCLE CARS AND MORE premieres Saturday, March 29 from 8-11 PM ET on HD Theater, Discovery Networks' original HD network which brought viewers the first live HD footage from space in 2006 and from an Antarctic solar eclipse in 2003. The live series runs for six consecutive Saturdays starting March 29 and then culminates with a special grand finale on Saturday, May 17 from 2-6 and 8-11 PM ET live from Mecum’s 21^st Annual Spring Classic, where over 1,000 cars will hit the auction block.

MECUM AUTO AUCTION will broadcast live each Saturday night from Mecum Auction Company’s event at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Each episode will feature approximately 60 collector cars live from the auction block as bidders vie for some of the hottest rides and coolest classics. The series not only profiles the amazing cars, eccentric collectors and deal-by-deal auction drama, but also explores the behind-the-scene process of these high-end automotive auctions, including the crucial evaluation process.

According to Mecum Auction Company’s CEO Dana Mecum, “MECUM AUTO AUCTION: MUSCLE CARS AND MORE will showcase our highly-spirited automotive auctions, which blend some of the best dramatic elements of sports, reality and game shows. Each auction features real buyers and sellers in a competitive display of bidding prowess, while contemplating the crucial car-by-car question of ‘What’s it worth?’”

“HD Theater is excited to partner with Mecum Auction Company and present the dynamic live action of their collector car auctions,” stated Clint Stinchcomb, executive vice president and general manager of HD Theater and Turbo Media. “MECUM AUTO AUCTION represents our commitment to transport HD Theater’s viewers to compelling live events and capture in HD the meticulous craftsmanship and artistic detail of these spectacular cars.”

The Mecum Auction Company, with corporate headquarters located in Marengo, Ill., is in its 21^st year of selling collector cars, specializing in muscle cars and Corvettes. Mecum also produces the Bloomington Gold Corvettes USA show, which is in its 35^th year. In 2008, Mecum will host and manage 14 auctions across the United States and expects to sell its 50,000^th car in the spring.

The first 24-hour high-definition network to broadcast all of its content in brilliant 1080i and 5.1 digital surround sound, HD Theater offers compelling real-world and motorized content from a wide range of categories including adventure, technology, nature and world culture – all designed to provide viewers with the highest-quality television experience available. Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks are led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health, Military Channel and HD Theater, with digital media properties including HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. , Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com/.

**Photography and Artwork Available at www.press.discovery.com**