Discovery Channel cancels live telecast of jump from Everest after avalanche

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Discovery Channel cancels live telecast of jump from Everest after avalanche​

MUMBAI: Discovery Channel has cancelled its special live telecast of a jump from Mount Everest scheduled for 11 May, after a deadly avalanche left at least 13 dead and three missing. The network released a statement saying, “In light of the overwhelming tragedy at Mt Everest and respect for the families of the fallen, Discovery Channel will not be going forward with Everest Jump Live.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Sherpa community.” Reports claim that the victims were from Nepal’s ethnic Sherpa community, in which many earn income as climbing guides and others cater to foreign visitors by providing food, equipment or transportation. Discovery’s Mount Everest prime-time special had been in development for months. In February, the network announced that climber Joby Ogwyn was set to scale the 29,000 foot summit of Everest and then jump off it in a wing suit, on live TV for broadcast.

The channel had also planned to air five nights of live programmes from Everest titled ‘Everest: Live From Base Camp’ and simulcast it on Science Channel and Discovery en Español.

The programme was to be hosted by NBC News’ Willie Geist joined by The Weather Channel’s meteorologist Jim Cantore, who would be tracking the mountain’s weather conditions from a studio in New York. Kyle Martino of NBC Sports and Chris Jacobs of Discovery and Velocity were set to deliver on-ground updates at Everest Base Camp.



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