National Geographic Television International signs new deals in the run up to MIPCOM

Published: 7 October 2004

Newly rebranded National Geographic Television International (NGTI) gets off to a great start at MIPCOM 2004, with early deals for some of its key shows launching at the market.

Blue-chip wildlife show PREDATORS AT WAR (2 x 52 Mins) has been pre-sold to Five in the UK. PREDATORS AT WAR, a National Geographic Television & Film production, follows Africa’s five mega-predators – lion, leopard, hyena, cheetah and wild dog - as they struggle for survival in a cruel season of deprivation on South Africa’s Mala Mala Reserve. High-intensity, ground-breaking imagery; brilliant, surrealistic editing; spectacular natural history; modern military-style graphics and compelling animation, plus a dark, cinematic approach and innovative storytelling techniques, are the hallmarks of this exciting new production.

THE MAN WHO FOUND THE TITANIC (1 x 52 Mins) and GHOSTS OF THE BALTIC (2 x 52 Mins) have both been sold to Alliance Atlantis in Canada.

THE MAN WHO FOUND THE TITANIC tells the story of deep-sea explorer Dr Robert Ballard - who found the Titanic nearly 20 years ago - and his emotional return in 2004 to try and protect her from salvage squads and memorabilia hunters. Using the latest in ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) technology we view never-before-seen images of the Titanic on the seabed.

GHOSTS OF THE BALTIC tells a moving story from the end of World War II, when German civilians and military were using the Baltic to escape the relentless march of the Red Army as the Third Reich crumbled. Three ships, the Wilhelm Gustloff, the General von Steuben and the Goya went down, torpedoed by Russian submarines, with the Gustloff alone losing many thousands more than went down with the Titanic. Renowned deep-sea explorer Dr Robert Ballard visits the wrecks of the site and some of the very few survivors, who were children at the time, return to the place of their nightmares.

Both these new programmes are Partisan/Blackstrap/Odyssey productions in association with National Geographic Television & Film.

Children’s series MARVI PRESENTS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC WORLD (20 x 26 Mins) has been sold to TVP in Poland, with a number of other deals in the pipeline. The show, which combines 3D and 2D animation with National Geographic footage specially edited for children, brings documentary features to life using a marvellous blend of humour and silliness. Each episode features a specific theme and takes children on a fascinating journey to discover fun facts about the world and its inhabitants. MARVI PRESENTS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC WORLD is a versatile show that can contain bi-lingual elements, using 2D ‘World Reporter’ characters to help teach a secondary language. In Germany on KI.KA, where the show debuted, English was the second language and the show was also accompanied by a National Geographic print magazine, linking elements of the show to items in the magazine. In Poland, English again will be the second language and the show will also link with the children’s magazine.

MARVI PRESENTS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC WORLD is co-produced by ZDF, KI.KA, WDR, RB, FWU and YOUA Edutainment in cooperation with National Geographic Television & Film. The show also won the prestigious Adolf Grimme Award this year.