NGTI BRINGS LARGEST EVER SLATE TO MIPCOM

Published: 11 September 2007

NGTI (National Geographic Television International) today announces its key new shows launching at Mipcom 2007, chosen from a slate of more than 100 hours of factual programming and from a broad range of sub-genres. This is NGTI’s largest ever market slate and includes programmes produced by sister company National Geographic Television, as well as independent producers.

New from National Geographic Television
Natural history programming remains a mainstay of the NGTI slate, with key new shows such as JELLYFISH INVASION (1 X 52), WHAT KILLED THE MAMMOTHS? (1 X 52) and CROCODILES: UNDER THE SKIN (1 X 52). Jellyfish Invasion is perfect for buyers looking for ‘green’ programming as it looks at the impact that man may be having on the rapidly increasing swarms of dangerous jellyfish populations around the globe. What Killed the Mammoths? asks whether it was climate change or a perfect shot from space that triggered the mass extinction of the mammoths 13,000 years ago, while Crocodiles: Under the Skin is the latest programme in a cutting-edge wildlife strand using CGI and new science to deconstruct the true might of some of nature’s most fascinating creatures.

For science programming, THE SCIENCE OF BABIES (1 x 52) – which explores the biomechanical benchmarks in the first 12 months of a human’s life on earth – leads the NGTI slate. Popular science series IS IT REAL? (13 x 52) returns for a third series, with featured topics that include the Bermuda Triangle, Atlantis and The Shroud of Turin. THE SCIENCE OF DOGS (1 x 52) takes an in-depth look at man’s best friend and investigates why dogs have the largest morphological differences of any animal species on the planet.

NGT’s camera crews are renowned for getting access to places that few other filmmakers can. New programming that demonstrates this includes: UNDERCOVER IN NORTH KOREA (1 x 52) which offers a rarely seen glimpse into this fascinating country, shedding light on the excesses of Kim Jong Il and the restricted lives of his devoted citizens, INSIDE IRAQ’S KILL ZONE (1 x 52), following the dangerous work of private security contractors and FBI TAKEDOWN (1 x 52), which takes viewers on an amazing frontline journey with America’s top law enforcement agency. Prison series LOCKDOWN (6 x 52) also returns for a third run with an immersive look at some of America’s toughest jails.

Lead history title for Mipcom this year is HISTORY’S SECRETS (4 x 52) – back for a second series with more of history’s most mysterious events, compelling figures and great unanswered questions. Episodes include The Real Howard Hughes and Secrets of the Moon Landings.

New from Independent Producers
NGTI continues to represent some excellent programming from factual independent producers from around the world. New this market is ALIWAL SHOAL (1 x 52) from South Africa’s Peartree Films. This show is about a magical place in the Indian Ocean that is home to some truly stunning marine life. NGTI has also acquired three new TRIBAL ODYSSEY films from Essential Television & Film. All standalone hours, the new programmes look at rites of passage and rituals amongst the Rendille, Pokot and Maasai tribes – some featuring ceremonies never before captured on film.

NGTI is also representing kids programming from National Geographic Kids Entertainment. Key programmes for Mipcom include ARE WE THERE YET? WORLD ADVENTURE (78 x 7/26 x 21) – an unscripted global reality adventure series hosted by kids; ALOUTAH (52 x 2), animated comedy shorts set in the Arctic and the popular MAMA MIRABELLE’S HOME MOVIES (52 x 11/26 x 22) – which has now been licensed to 50 territories. In addition, the NGTI kids team will also have the recently greenlit 52 x 11 minute series about two best-buddy pigs, TOOT & PUDDLE, available for pre-sale. Toot & Puddle is based on the popular books by award-winning author Holly Hobbie and follows hot on the heels of the 1 x 45 mins family special – Toot & Puddle: I’ll be Home for Christmas – that NGTI launched at Mipcom in 2006.

Ian Jones, president of NGTI comments: “Once again we arrive at Mipcom with a terrific range of new programming, and indeed our largest number of hours to date – from incredible wildlife and fascinating science to edgy, current-affairs/society programmes and now, a new generation of kids shows. The NGTI brand has been operating in the ‘green’ programming space for many years now and as a result we are well placed to take advantage of this latest trend – with everything from Jellyfish Invasion to the animated Aloutah, looking at man’s impact on the planet and inspiring people to care about the world in which they live.”