MUMBAI: Factual entertainment channel Discovery Channel launches tonight a new show ?The Magic Of Science?.

This is a new series featuring illusions performed by an ensemble of fresh, innovative magicians in front of live spectators. The twist - each feat is backed by real science, with an explanation and breakdown to prove it.

The nine-part series is a part of Discovery?s block ?Ultimate Discovery? and starts tonight 11 February at 9 pm. Episodes begin with impromptu tricks captured by hidden cameras and culminate in full-scale, elaborate stunts in a melding of magic and science. The result is a blending of theatrical exhibition and empirical principles, bolstered by the before and after reactions of the audience.

The show looks to elevate the purely entertaining aspect of magic to new heights by proposing seemingly impossible endeavours, executing them flawlessly, and ultimately disclosing the scientific reality as the featured magicians, Canadian female, Billy Kidd, American Wayne Houchin, Briton Ben Hanlin and Australian James Galea explore the physics, chemistry, biology and a little pure Einstein that make illusions possible. The magicians are filmed in New York, London, and Warsaw with the help of both hidden and open cameras for the largest possible impact.

From a new scientific lie detector test, a silver bracelet that transforms into gold, to mind-reading metal and burning ice cubes, the magicians transform sceptical viewers into astonished believers by doing the opposite of what they usually do: showing us how the tricks are done. The talented troop of magicians, each armed with their unique style of delivery, challenges onlookers with inconceivable claims and seamless execution, all through the very real magic of science. Live audiences and home viewers alike will be stunned by the tricks themselves as well as their real world applications.

MUMBAI: Discovery HD World will air the docudrama ?Lincoln?s Last Night? on 2 February at 8 pm. The programme will repeat on 10 February at 3 pm and on 12 February at 6 pm.

The special aims to paint a lifelike portrait of the American leader?s life, having been filmed in locations across the US and featuring a cast of more than 80 historical actors; it is an account of how one gunshot changed the country forever.

The one-hour docudrama tells the story of Lincoln and the dramatic account of the last few hours of his life graphically documenting the events that led up to his shocking assassination on the night of 14 April, 1865.

The special begins by tracing Lincoln?s career from the early years to his successful ascent into America?s politics. It is a story of a young boy from the prairie who fought his way all the way to the top to become the 16th President of the US, and who, at the peak of his power, was killed by John Wilkes Booth - a popular American stage actor - while attending a theatre performance.

MUMBAI: Non-fiction broadcaster Discovery Networks International (DNI) has announced the return of five original series, serving as the bedrock of DNI?s Production and Development unit which launched in 2011.

The shows are ?Last Chance Salon?, ?One Car Too Far?, ?Ultimate Shopper?, ?World?s Top 5? and ?You Have Been Warned? have been re-upped in 2013, to air within DNI?s factual and lifestyle portfolio of 26 channels available to viewers in 217 countries and territories across the globe.

DNI executive VP, chief content officer Luis Silberwasser said, "We re-commissioned five terrific series and it?s proof-positive that we?re continuing to grow Discovery?s reputation as a creative powerhouse of international original programming. With a diverse array of entertainment and fresh talent, our development slate has struck a chord with a global audience."

DNI creative director, head of production, development Julian Bellamy said, "With solid production partners and a strong in-house creative team, DNI has succeeded in creating programming with global appeal. From a twist on survival genre in ?One Car Too Far? to the spoils of shopping in ?Ultimate Shopper?, we?re pleased to enable viewers to follow their favorite shows into the next season and watch as new storylines unfold."

?Last Chance Salon opens its doors once again to offer salvation to desperate victims of botched beauty treatments. A world-renowned plastic surgeon, award winning hairdresser and celebrity dermatologist return to find and fix cosmetic catastrophes, offering a last chance of happiness to those who wanted to look great but ended up damaged-both inside and out.

?One Car Too Far? follows the exploits of American gearhead Bill and former British special forces operative Gary on their next adrenaline-infused adventure, with help from their trusty 4x4, Ruby. This time, the duo is in Mexico and must work their way from civilization across treacherous terrain, relying on instinct, expertise, and each other to arrive at their destination in the wilderness.

?Ultimate Shopper? meanwhile aims to take shopping showdowns to a whole new level, wannabe fashionistas go head-to-head in three style-based challenges and face a panel of sartorial experts. It?s shopper vs. shopper as contestants hunt for the perfect look to win the ultimate prize: a dream wardrobe. In this fashion fantasy, only the most stylish will survive.

In ?World?s Top 5? engineers and scientists analyse and rate the world?s greatest engineering marvels, ultimately revealing the best of each category. Filmed around the globe and featuring high flyers to subterraneous earthshakers, the program covers awe-inspiring innovations, facts and graphics reveal the engineering brilliance behind each mechanical marvel with a panel of experts.

?You Have Been Warned? explores the web?s best science experiments, stunts and inventions, both amateur and professional. In each episode, a team of international experts reveal how these remarkable feats are achieved through science, aided by a roller-coaster ride of the world?s most exciting video clips and counting down to their top favorites.