This Just In: Travel Channel Takes Viewers on a Paranormal Journey Starting Friday, September 23‏

TRAVEL CHANNEL JOURNEYS TO THE OTHER SIDE WITH THE LAUNCH OF A NEW ORIGINAL INVESTIGATIVE SERIES “THE DEAD FILES”

ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 AT 10:00 PM ET/PT

New Series to be Paired with Season Five of “Ghost Adventures,”

Featuring Travails of the Popular Paranormal Investigative Team as

They Explore Haunted Locations Around the World

Chevy Chase, Md. (August 4, 2011) – Travel Channel will take viewers on a paranormal journey on Friday nights beginning September 23 with the launch of “The Dead Files,” an original investigative series premiering at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.  The new one-hour series pairs a hard-nosed detective, who looks at the physical evidence, with a gifted psychic communicator, who has her well established sixth sense to work with. They explore each crime scene on their own, and only join together at the end to compare notes and together discover some shocking results. “The Dead Files” will be paired with the fifth season of the hit show “Ghost Adventures”, premiering at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT as the popular investigative team discovers locations that are ample with dark history, brimming with trapped souls and energy.  

“Our Friday night series takes viewers beyond the haunted destinations -- They provide a different type of escape, providing a taste of the other side and a new perspective on their own surroundings,” said Fred Graver, SVP, Programming & Development, Travel Channel.

Premiering at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, “The Dead Files” introduces heroes who are both incredibly gifted in their fields of expertise, and see what no one else can.  The team approaches every case from their two specific areas of expertise: Steve DiSchiavi is a retired Homicide Detective with the New York City Police Department with more than 21 years of active service; and Amy Allan is a Psychic Communicator. Each investigator’s methods and findings remain hidden from the other team member to preserve the integrity of their discoveries, until the shocking results are revealed to the homeowner in the compelling conclusion of each episode. While much of Steve’s factual findings have already been disclosed to the audience during his investigation, the most shocking information is saved for last. During this moment of truth, Steve and Amy come together with the homeowner to present all of their findings, which gel into one undeniable – and often terrifying – conclusion.

During this one-hour, eight-episode series, Steve begins each investigation exploring the property, questioning the owners or tenants about what they’ve witnessed and what they know about the building’s past.  Then he goes out to gather more facts -- speaking to local historians, police investigators and even tracking down past owners of the property. Amy is a paranormal researcher, physical medium and psychometrist. Her abilities have been studied and tested by leading parapsychologists and she’s worked with many private investigators and police agencies.  Amy knows absolutely nothing about locations before entering, after all photos or revealing objects have been removed.  Amy channels the dead, often assuming their role and reliving their death.  She later shares her findings with the homeowners and provides them with a better understanding of what – or who – is sharing their house.

“The Dead Files” is produced by Painless Productions for the Travel Channel. For Painless
the executive producer is Jim Casey and the co-executive producers are John C. Fitzgerald and Ross Kaiman.  The executive producer for the Travel Channel is David E. Gerber.

Season five of “Ghost Adventures” returns with paranormal investigators Zak Bagans and Nick Groff, along with equipment technician Aaron Goodwin as they unveil the history and dark secrets of haunted locations around the world.  This season takes a deeper dive into the culture and history of these spooky locations before the overnight ghost investigation occurs, visiting never before investigated locations including the Mizpah Hotel in Tenopah, Nev. and the Ashmore Estates in Ashmore, Ill.   After completing over a hundred investigations and 64 episodes of the series, the trio takes their acquired ghost tracking skills to the next level -- uncovering even more gripping scientific evidence  -- as they become more skilled at taunting and using equipment to engage the other side. 

During the premiere episode, the guys head to the rural Midwest to clash with the demonic forces at the Ashmore Estates.  In 1870, the Ashmore Estates was a poor house, filled with social outcasts.  After almost a century of countless deaths, the estates were then modified to be a psychiatric hospital in 1959.  Some of the worst patients from another psych ward were sent here to continue their tortured existence.  In 1986, Ashmore closed for good, and ever since, it’s been plagued with a demonic presence.  While there, the trio hopes to discover these evil entities in order to learn more about their malicious ways.

“Ghost Adventures” is produced by MY Tupelo Entertainment for the Travel Channel.  For MY Tupelo Entertainment the executive producers are Michael Yudin and Joe Townley.  The executive producer for the Travel Channel is Daniel A. Schwartz.

For images, screeners and video clips from the series, please contact Katelyn.Balach@travelchannel.com.

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