"Sarah Palin's Alaska" is officially headed to Discovery Communication's TLC.
The network that exploded over the last year with the help of "Jon & Kate" has acquired eight episodes of Palin's documentary-style tour of her home state, produced with reality kingpin Mark Burnett.
It is a strange move for Discovery — the purveyor of such classics as "Planet Earth" and "Life" and the parent of Planet Green and Treehugger — to sign with Palin, whose anti-nature stances include denying climate change, supporting aerial wolf-hunting, and, most famously, "Drill baby, drill!"
The New York Times asked a Discovery spokesman if Palin would address her views on climate change on the show; the spokesman would only say, "the deal was just concluded this week and now we begin the development and production."
The move comes on the heels of Discovery's revamp of the Planet Green network away from strictly eco-friendly programming; the network recently unveiled a primetime slate called Verge, about "conscious living and provocative storytelling," but not about green themes.
"Our family enjoys Discovery's networks," Palin said. "I look forward to working with Mark to bring the wonder and majesty of Alaska to all Americans."
Burnett, who created "Survivor," described Palin as "a dynamic personality that has captivated millions."
"I can't think of anyone more compelling than Sarah Palin to tell the story of Alaska," he said. "I'm thrilled to reunite with Discovery on this project, which brings together one of the most fascinating figures of our time with one of the most wondrous places on earth."
"Discovery Communications is so excited to help Sarah Palin tell the story of Alaska, and to have a great documentary filmmaker in Mark Burnett helping to reveal Alaska's powerful beauty as it has never been filmed, and as told by one of the state's proudest daughters," Discovery COO Peter Liguori added.
Liguori is the former head of Fox Entertainment.
"TLC is grounded in great storytelling, strong characters, and passionate audiences drawn to extraordinary people doing extraordinary things," TLC boss Eileen O'Neill said. "We are confident Sarah Palin's Alaska will be another compelling television event."
