Matthew Butler News

Every year hundreds of eyewitnesses log their alleged encounters with the legendary creature Bigfoot. All told, there have been more than 10,000 reported modern-day sightings of Bigfoot in the continental United States, with more than one-third of them emanating from the Pacific Northwest. And while many have searched for the elusive beast, no one knows where or when this legendary cryptid will be seen next, nor have they put forth credible, indisputable evidence of the creature's existence. Until now…

Hollywood is no stranger to stories of the unexplained being played out on the big screen. But behind the scenes, some celebrities experience encounters with the unknown that are all too real. In the new Travel Channel series “Famously Afraid,” stars tell their terrifying, true tales of coming face-to-face with unexplained phenomena. From haunted houses to real UFO sightings, to demonic possessions and beyond, these stories show that even celebrities can get spooked. “Famously Afraid” premieres Tuesday, November 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, only on Travel Channel.

Travel Channel is upping the ante on what it means to be scared with its brand-new heart-palpitating series, “Destination Fear,” premiering on Saturday, October 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The 10-episode series may be the most terrifying road trip ever attempted. Paranormal explorer and documentary filmmaker Dakota Laden – who has spent the last few years investigating the frightening unknown with the “Ghost Adventures” crew – is taking his sister, Chelsea Laden, and best friend, Tanner Wiseman, across the country in an RV to spend the night in the most haunted abandoned locations in America. Pursuing paranormal evidence, the team must first overcome fear itself.

At a time when 'witch hunt' has burst back into our national vocabulary, Travel Channel presents a terrifying chapter in America's history, the relevancy of which cannot be overlooked in the four-part docudrama, 'Witches of Salem,' beginning on Sunday, October 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. In examining the mass hysteria that gripped Salem at that time, the series reveals how extreme beliefs can completely change how communities collectively think and, in this case, fatally act. Based upon original transcripts from witnesses at the Salem Witch Trials and layered with expert interviews from historians and authors, 'Witches of Salem' unravels the true story of palpable evil that the residents of this otherwise sleepy Massachusetts village endured in 1692. From reports of possession by the devil, to mass arrests, sensational trials and public hangings, each hour-long episode is an in-depth account of the eight months of fear, panic and horror that overtook Salem, revealing the truth behind this dark legacy in America's history.

On Friday, October 4 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Travel Channel will premiere 'Haunted Salem: Live' - a special four-hour LIVE ghost investigation in and around the historic city, led by a team of the network's biggest paranormal stars. The immersive, multiplatform event will investigate ghostly activity at three historic locations tied to the infamous Salem Witch Trials of the late 17th century: the Ipswich Gaol, the Proctor House and Rockafellas. Teams will simultaneously lead separate investigations around the city as they seek to expose the hauntings that have plagued this notable city for hundreds of years. The night will culminate with a séance conducted simultaneously by the teams from each of the three locations.

For the first time ever, Travel Channel is exclusively reopening the case files of America's first ghost hunter, Hans Holzer, revealing the original recordings and documents from the paranormal pioneer's renowned studies. In “The Holzer Files,” premiering Thursday, October 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, a dedicated paranormal team – led by investigator Dave Schrader, psychic medium Cindy Kaza and equipment technician Shane Pittman – revisits Holzer's most captivating cases. With the help of Holzer's daughter, Alexandra Holzer, and researcher Gabe Roth, the team picks up where Holzer left off to re-examine the terrifying hauntings that he dedicated his life to researching.

Tales of a monster lurking beneath the waves of Loch Ness have terrified people in the Scottish Highlands for centuries. Now, Dr. Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago in New Zealand, uses a cutting-edge scientific technique called environmental DNA (eDNA) to unravel this centuries-old mystery. Travel Channel has the exclusive first look at Gemmell's high-tech monster hunt, as he carries out experiments, talks to eyewitnesses and investigates the incredible history of the Loch Ness monster. The global premiere of the two-hour special, “Loch Ness Monster: New Evidence,” premieres in the United States on Travel Channel on Sunday, September 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT and in the United Kingdom on Discovery Channel on Sunday, September 15 at 7 p.m.

Get ready to scream your way through October, as Travel Channel gets up close with the paranormal during its annual “Ghostober” programming event. Halloween reigns all month long as 31 days of fright-filled premieres take viewers on a spine-chilling adventure to the other side – where tales of ghosts, witches and the unexplained will leave you hiding under the covers. Beginning Tuesday, October 1, a creepy mix of new series, specials and returning favorites will conjure up a nightly treat for viewers looking for thrills and chills. 

Join the 'Ghost Nation' because the boys are back in town! The 'OG' paranormal investigators that started it all - Jason Hawes, Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango - are back for all-new adventures to the other side in Travel Channel's new series, 'Ghost Nation,' premiering on Friday, October 11 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Only this time, they're not alone. Now, the pioneers of the genre respond to urgent calls from local paranormal investigators nationwide who have reached a dead end with their vexing personal cases.

Join the “Ghost Nation” because the boys are back in town! The “OG” paranormal investigators that started it all – Jason Hawes, Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango – are back for all-new adventures to the other side in Travel Channel's new series, “Ghost Nation,” premiering on Friday, October 11 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Only this time, they're not alone.  Now, the pioneers of the genre respond to urgent calls from local paranormal investigators nationwide who have reached a dead end with their vexing personal cases. 

Prepare to scream now! Travel Channel resurrects its nail-biting Halloween event, “Ghostober,” with premieres every night of the month. Coming off the network's highest-rated October in 2018, the month-long programming event promises to up the thrills and chills with 31 days of the network's most wicked and blood-curdling premieres yet.

Zak Bagans and the 'Ghost Adventures' team - Aaron Goodwin, Jay Wasley and Billy Tolley - investigate iconic locations that are hotbeds of creepy and unnerving hauntings in all-new October specials that will air during Travel Channel's 'Ghostober' event, which features 31 days of spine-chilling premieres.

Best friends and ghost hunters Dalen Spratt, Juwan Mass and Marcus Harvey are investigating and ghostplainin' in a new eight-part Travel Channel series, “Ghost Brothers: Haunted Houseguests” premiering on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 9 PM E/T. 

Deep in the Appalachian Mountains, creatures both legendary and terrifying lurk among the shadows, evading capture at every turn. Season Four of the cult-classic series “Mountain Monsters,” moves to its new home on Travel Channel with a special two-hour premiere on Wednesday, August 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, reuniting the fearless team of hard-core trappers to confirm the sightings of these fabled monsters. Calling themselves the AIMS team – the Appalachian Investigators of Mysterious Sightings – this rip-roarin' group of self-proclaimed “hillbilly hunters” treks through the depths of Appalachia's mountain forests, searching for creatures of mythical origins, determined to track down proof these monsters still roam this region today.

Some of history's greatest secrets are hidden in the world's most treacherous corners, unforgiving locations that are inaccessible to all but a few. In Travel Channel's all-new series, “Code of the Wild,” premiering on Tuesday, August 6 at 10 p.m. ETPT, brothers Chris and Casey Keefer – extreme adventurers turned wilderness private eyes – tackle rugged territory that most wouldn't dare, determined to track down the truth behind baffling mysteries.

After a record-breaking first season, Travel Channel has greenlit 26 new episodes of the hit series, 'Paranormal Caught on Camera.' The show, which launched on Wednesday, February 13, posted a 50% increase year-over-year for its time slot and ranks in the top 3 of all Travel Channel original series. Over 13.2 million total viewers have tuned into the first season to date. New episodes will air early next year.

Former NYPD homicide detective Steve DiSchiavi and physical medium Amy Allan are back on the case with a brand-new season of Travel Channel's hit series, “The Dead Files,” premiering on Thursday, July 11 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. In each of the 10 one-hour episodes, the duo joins forces to help frightened property owners suffering from unexplained and dangerous paranormal activity. From their unique viewpoints, DiSchiavi and Allan work to uncover the truth behind their clients' startling claims – and ultimately decide if it's safe for them to stay. 

Morgan City, Louisiana, is experiencing an especially troubling spike of unusual emergency calls - unexplained encounters with the ghosts of the bayou city's turbulent past that are frightening its citizens. In the all-new Travel Channel series, 'Ghosts of Morgan City,' premiering on Friday, June 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, Police Chief James 'Bo' Blair is now looking to his colleague from another jurisdiction for assistance.

For decades, Scott Wolter has honed his skills in the sciences looking for historical answers within the natural world. Now, he continues his quest for the truth on Travel Channel in the new season of “America Unearthed,” premiering Tuesday, May 28 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. In the 10-episode one-hour series, Wolter explores some of America's deepest secrets, digging up mysteries that have been hidden until now. Using his background as a forensic geologist and teaming up with eyewitnesses and other experts in their respective fields, Wolter is determined to find new evidence and ultimately the proof that's been buried in time suggesting history isn't what we've been told.

Author Matthew Butler describes his new fantasy novel as a 'The Lord of the Rings' meets Goosebumps mash-up,' featuring vast, fantastic landscapes and nightmarish creatures. 'Tyler's Dream' (published by Lulu) hopes to fill readers with suspense and thrills while also telling a beautiful story.