NGTI AND RTE AGREE NEW DEAL POST- MIPCOM

Published: 25 October 2007

Following a successful meeting at Mipcom, NGTI (National Geographic Television International), is pleased to announce that it has just signed a new deal with Ireland’s state broadcaster, RTE.

The new contract is for 30 hours of programming and is led by three documentaries voiced by Irish resident Jeremy Irons: EYE OF THE LEOPARD (1 X 52), RELENTLESS ENEMIES (1 X 52) and ULTIMATE ENEMIES: ELEPHANTS & LIONS (1 X 52) all from the multi-award-winning wildlife producers Dereck and Beverly Joubert

From NGT productions the package includes new, high-profile titles such as wildlife series PLANET CARNIVORE (4 x 52), JELLYFISH INVASION (1 x 52), HYENA QUEEN (1 X 52), the NGT/BBC/NHK blue-chip co-production GABON: TRIUMPH OF THE WILD, RAPTOR FORCE (1 X 52) and geology and natural history series AMAZING PLANET (3 X 52).

In addition to the Joubert’s titles, RTE has also acquired a number of other programmes from NGTI’s growing portfolio of independent producers. From Australia’s ABC Productions it has licensed science show THUNDERHEADS (1 x 52), following scientists and pilots as they chase the perfect storm and look at how thunderstorms affect climate change; from Canada’s Summerhill Productions they have taken ESCAPE TECH (1 x 52), looking at the science and technology of escaping death, while from Holland’s Nature Conservation Films the package includes GOLDEN DOG (1 x 52).

NGTI sales manager Joanna Rowley is responsible for the deal. She comments: “RTE is an established client of NGTI and we are delighted to have licensed so many new wildlife and science titles following our meeting at Mipcom. NGT has been producing programming about conservation issues and changing wildlife habitats for decades but recent titles such as Jellyfish Invasion and Gabon: Triumph of the Wild are proving very popular as broadcasters everywhere increase their demand for ‘green’ programming with a difference.”

Brian Walsh, deputy head of acquisitions and scheduler of acquired documentaries at RTE, comments: “RTE has a strong, twice-weekly wildlife strand and is always looking for good quality, entertaining and informative factual programming for its viewers and NGTI does not disappoint. We normally localise this quality programming by using Irish voice talent….obviously we will not need to do this with Jeremy Irons! NGTI consistently brings excellent factual programming to the market – both from National Geographic Television and its third party producers - and this Mipcom was no exception.”