Discovery's Destination America network will air what it says is the first televised exorcism in history on Oct. 30, 2015. The program will follow ghost-hunters as they go through the story and actual house of a real life 1949 event that inspired the 1971 novel and 1973 film, "The Exorcist." Photo: Warner Bros / YouTube

NEW YORK, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- A reality television first is scheduled for the eve of Halloween this year: The telecast of a live exorcism.

Discovery's Destination America network will air Exorcism: Live! on Oct. 30. The program will revisit the real life story -- and the house -- that inspired William Peter Blatty's 1971 novel and William Friedkin's 1973 film -- both titled The Exorcist, the Hollywood Reporter reported Friday.


The film, starring Linda Blair and Max Von Sydow, focuses on a demonically possessed girl and a priest's efforts to rid the devil from her body. The film was based on an actual event in St. Louis in 1949, which will observe its 66th anniversary this year.

"No one has ever attempted to rid the lurking spirits and demons that inhabit this home -- until now," promotional material for the program says.

A team of paranormal investigators will go through the house, using modern ghost-hunting technology, the Hollywood Reporter said.

Viewers will also be able to add to their experience by viewing a number of live cameras placed throughout the home, and communicate via social media, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"As we step into one of the most haunted and well-known spirit destinations in America, Exorcism: Live! will show exactly what is inside this infamous, highly dangerous and possessed home," Destination America General Manager Marc Etkind said. "By actually exorcising this iconic house live, Destination America will do what it does best -- bringing never-before-seen experiences to television."

Exorcism: Live! will air Friday, Oct. 30 at 9 p.m./8 p.m. Central, the network said.