National Geographic Television

Since 1965 National Geographic documentary films have sought to fulfill the mission of the National Geographic Society - the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge.
Toward this goal, National Geographic Television's (NGT) programming is far-reaching, in the domestic and international marketplace. NGT programs have featured some of the most respected and well-known names in documentary films today. Covering "the world and all that is in it" subjects range from adventure, natural history, science, and exploration.

Building on its reputation for remarkable visual and compelling stories, NGT augments its award-winning documentary production (winner of 109 Emmys, including the Governors Award for Excellence, and more than 800 industry awards) with new prime time drama, large-format, and feature film programming, as well as international broadcast and video distribution. At present, NGT's programming can be seen in the U.S. on CNBC and PBS as well as on home video and DVD and via on board programming, as seen on cruise lines and airlines. Internationally, NGT films are seen through video and DVD distribution and broadcast syndication in more than 100 different outlets in some 90 territories.

In January 2001, National Geographic launched the domestic version of its National Geographic Channel. Based at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel is a partnership between National Geographic Television and Fox Cable Networks Group. National Geographic Channel debuted to an initial 10 million homes, and enjoys carriage commitments with partners AT&T Business & Internet Services, DirecTV, Adelphia Communications, the National Cable Television Co-Operative and others to boost its overall reach to 28 million homes. Abroad, those partners are joined by NBC, and the Channel reaches 113 countries and over 90 million households in 17 languages.

In addition to serving as the primary producer of content for the National Geographic Channel, NGT continues to produce its long-running EXPLORER series for CNBC and a full roster of Specials and non-Specials for PBS. Premiering September 2001, AFRICA is an ambitious eight-part series designed to be the definitive look of modern-day Africa, co-produced with WNET/Thirteen and Tigress Productions. NGT's LA-based Drama and Features Unit, which will carry the National Geographic imprint over to historically-based feature length films, has several projects in development, and is currently entering into production on "K-19," starring Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson. NGT also produces large-format films, and is currently entering into production on "Lewis & Clark," an historical account of the explorers' epic journey into the American frontier.

With an extensive library of archived footage and a full roster of projects slated for production, NGT continues to produce documentaries that set the standard for the industry. Its innovative filmmaking techniques like Crittercam, which uses miniaturized cameras to film wildlife activity from the animal's perspective, allows NGT to work with scientists to document animal behavior in ways previously unrealized by traditional camerawork. Its Natural History Unit (NHU) is the only filmmaking unit devoted exclusively to natural history in the United States.

For more information, visit National Geographic online at www.nationalgeographic.com.