Later this afternoon, Discovery Communications will host its 2011-12 Upfront Presentation in New York City, unveiling new and returning faces across our networks…with a few surprises along the way (check back with Discovery Blog tomorrow for more on today’s events).

For now, here’s a sampling of what’s coming later this year and next — from a turbocharged TV network and gypsy weddings to Penn & Teller and more Karl Pilkington.

Discovery Channel

• Hitting the Motherlode: Historic High Ratings, New Hit Talent, as Discovery Unveils Its 2011-12 Upfront Slate
• Discovery’s Television, Online and App Audiences Must Determine Penn & Teller’s Bold Faced Lies in New Fall Series ‘Secrets of the Universe’

TLC

• TLC Announces a Broad Slate of Original Programming for 2011-12 Upfront
• TLC Takes Viewers Into the Secret World of Gypsies

Animal Planet

• Animal Planet Unleashes Entertainment Slate for the 2011-12 Upfront Season

Investigation Discovery

• Investigation Discovery, America’s Fastest-Growing Network, Unveils Largest-Ever Slate of New and Returning Series and Specials for 2011-12 Upfront Season

Science

• The All-New Science Launches an Explosive Slate of Programming for the 2011-12 Upfront
• Science to Premiere Ricky Gervais’ ‘An Idiot Abroad 2: The Bucket List’

Discovery Fit & Health

• Discovery Fit & Health Announces Compelling Line-Up of Programs for the 2011-12 Upfront Season

Velocity

• Discovery Communications Introduces Velocity — A Turbocharged Network for an Upscale Male Audience

OWN

• OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Announces Original Programming Including Four Series Renewals and Six New Series
• Flipboard Partners with OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and Oprah.com for the First Ever ‘Oprah’ Section to Be Included in All New Flipboard Downloads

Follow @DiscoveryComm for updates from this afternoon’s presentation and we’ll post pictures and more to the blog tomorrow!