NEW DEALS IN ASIA FOR NGTI

Published: 22 September 2005

Factual distributor National Geographic Television International (NGTI) today announces a number of new deals with broadcasters across Asia.

TV3 Malaysia, Metro in Indonesia and ATV Hong Kong have all licensed RACE AGAINS THE KILLER FLU (1 X 52), an unnerving new science programme that explores the possible social, economic and political implications of an avian flu pandemic. Co-produced by National Geographic Television & Film and Electric Pictures, the programme also gains rare access inside the ‘War Room’ at the World health Organisation as a virus hunter team runs a hypothetical simulation of what the world can expect in the event of a global outbreak. RACE AGAINST THE KILLER FLU is formally launched at Mipcom.

ATV in Hong Kong has acquired five new series: AMAZING MOMENTS (4 X 52), BUG ATTACK (4 X 52), DANGEROUS ENCOUNTERS (4 X 52), GUNS, GERMS AND STEEL (3 x 52) and TALES FROM THE TOMB (3 x 52). The first three of these series will also be officially launched at Mipcom in October. All these shows are in addition to the long-standing output agreement that NGTI has in place with ATV. Lativi in Indonesia has also acquired AMAZING MOMENTS and DANGEROUS ENCOUNTERS.

NGTI is also pleased to announce that Korean broadcaster KBS has renewed its output deal for another year. Titles selected include GUNS, GERMS AND STEEL (3 X 52), KING TUT’S CURSE (1 X 52), EMPERORS OF THE ICE (1 X 52) and VIOLENT PLANET (1 X 52).

Finally, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, interest in weather shows continues apace and PTS Taiwan has licensed the recent show THE TRUE FACE OF HURRICANES (1 x 52), which takes a scientific look at 2004’s hurricane season in the US and the Caribbean.

Joanna Rowley, sales manager at NGTI responsible for Asia comments: “Asia has long been a strong market for factual programming and I’m delighted to say that many of our relationships continue to go from strength to strength. The constant diversification of our catalogue enables us to meet requests for most types of documentary programming, from traditional natural history to cutting edge science and topical stories. We have an impressive new line-up of shows going into Mipcom this year and I am confident that the breadth of topics on offer, combined with the trusted quality of NGTI programmes, will appeal to most factual buyers.”