Don’t look down!
Nik Wallenda, “The King of the Highwire,” made history today after successfully crossing the Windy City of Chicago on a tightrope without a net or tether. Skyscraper Live with Nik Wallenda aired live across Asia Pacific and in more than 220 countries and territories on the morning of November 3rd, on Discovery Channel and was hosted by NBC News’ Willie Geist, Natalie Morales and The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore. To relive this historic moment, catch this special encore on Discovery Channel at 7pm (Astro Channel 551).
“It was such an incredible feeling to do this walk in Chicago. The city holds a special place in my heart and have dreamed about doing this ever since I was a kid,” said the 35-year-old Wallenda. “I feel blessed to have this opportunity and would like to thank everyone in the city of Chicago along with the Discovery Channel for trusting in my abilities.”
“Nik is an inspiration to so many people around the world to follow their dreams,” said Marjorie Kaplan, Group President of Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet. “We are proud to have showcased his unique talents for so many people around the world to see.”
Nik is a seventh generation member of the famed Wallenda family and dedicated today’s walk to his great-grandfather, the legendary Karl Wallenda, who died after falling from a tightrope in Puerto Rico in 1978.
Nik earned two world records for his Chicago high-wire walk – one for the steepest incline and another for the highest walk while blindfolded. With today’s walk, Nik now has 10 world records including the 2013 tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon which aired live on Discovery.
Discovery Channel shared insight about Nik, his family and training through videos, pictures, #SkyscraperLive and #SkyscraperLiveAsia Tweets and more. In addition, viewers got a front row seat to the event at SkyscraperLive.com. Available in 14 languages, the site brought viewers from around the world to Chicago.
With additional camera angles from the walk and a live backstage show with host Chris Jacobs, SkyscraperLive.com took viewers behind-the-scenes as Wallenda attempted his most thrilling high wire walk yet.
Other additional encore dates:
Saturday 8 November at 10:00 a.m | 2:00 p.m| 6:00 p.m | 10:00 p.m
Sunday 9 November at 8:00 a.m | 12:00 p.m | 7:00 p.m | 12:00 a.m
