8 New Series, More Anthony Bourdain Among Travel Channel’s 2012 Slate

The Travel Channel is all over the map with its 2012 programming slate.

The network on Tuesday renewed seven series, including Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and greenlit eight new docuseries ranging from baggage auctioneers to behind the scenes at a Las Vegas Casino, in addition to putting two pilots in development.

Returning series include an eighth season of Emmy winner No Reservations; the sixth season of Ghosts Adventures; second season of The Dead Files; a second year of Truck Stop Missouri, which is being renamed Truck Stop USA; Season 2 of Off Limits; Season 3 of Mysteries at the Museum; and a second year of Sand Masters.

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Travel Channel’s original series include:

• Baggage Battles. The six-episode half-hour series from My Tupelo Entertainment follows three teams of “auction specialists” who pick up unclaimed and lost personal property in a bid to turn a profit. Travel Channel’s Daniel Schwartz will executive produce.

• Hotel Impossible. The eight hourlong episodes, from Atlas Media Corp., features hotel fixer Anthony Melchiorri as he helps struggling hotels fill up the books. Travel Channel’s Brian Leonard will exec produce.

• Miami International Airport. The six-episode half-hour series from 2C Media features a behind-the-scenes look at one of the nation’s most busiest airports. Travel Channel’s Bill Howard will serve as EP.

• America Caught on Camera. The 12-episode half-hour clip show hails from Brad Lachman Productions, with Travel Channel’s Julie McCully on board as an EP.

• Park Secrets. Produced by Lusid Media, the 12-episode half-hour series focuses on popular park destinations and reveals the secret adventures that happen off the beaten path, including unique hotels and the best foods.

• Trip Flip. Host Bert Kreischer surprises American travelers by taking them off the beaten path for the vacation they never saw coming. The 13-episode half-hour series is produced by High Noon Entertainment with Travel Channel’s Stone Roberts on board to executive produce.

• Vegas Stripped. Go behind-the-scenes at a 39,000-square-foot hotel resort casino for a look at its inner-workings — from the massive food orders to overseeing a huge security team — in an effort to compete with the “big boys on the strip.” The six-episode half-hour series is produced by Left Field Productions with Travel Channel’s Daniel Schwartz serving as EP.

• Unpacked. The six-episode half-hour series explores why today’s popular tourist destinations continue to wow visitors by revealing little-known details about the attractions. The series is produced by Tremendous Entertainment with Travel Channel’s Sean McKnight exec producing.

Meanwhile, the pair of series entering the development pipeline at Travel Channel include:

• Slice of Brooklyn, a look into the lives of Brooklyn residents Tony Muia and his cousin, Paula, as they team with friends from the “old neighborhood” and run a business specializing in tours of the best pizza spots in town. The series hails from Happy Owl Media.

• Vacation Hunters, from Leopard Films (House Hunters International), gives travelers the chance to take a daylong “speed tour” of three different itineraries of their chosen destination, ultimately picking one to spend their vacation time and dollars.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit