Nat Geo, NOVA Teaming Up

WASHINGTON/BOSTON, October 13: National Geographic
Television (NGT) and NOVA have closed a
multiyear editorial agreement to collaborate on a number of new programs, which
will air on the PBS science series NOVA and be handled internationally by NGT.

Programs currently in development for the NOVA/National
Geographic co-branded partnership include two hour-long documentaries: Extreme
Ice and Rat Invasion (working titles). Extreme Ice looks at climate change through the time-lapse
cameras set by photojournalist James Balog. Rat Invasion is set in the remote Indian state of Mizoram, where
an invasion of rats every 48 years triggers destruction, famine and even civil
war. Both projects are set for delivery in 2009.

NGT and WGBH/NOVA previously teamed up for Great Inca
Rebellion and Ape Genius, both executive produced by NGT’s John Bredar and
NOVA’s Paula Apsell. Breder and Apsell will continue in similar roles for the
new co-productions.

“Science is a real passion at NGT, so we could not be more
pleased to partner with NOVA, one of the most respected names in science
television,” said Maryanne Culpepper, the executive VP of editorial and new
business development at NGT. “With the combined credibility of NOVA and
National Geographic, this multiyear deal will allow us to produce substantive,
in-depth programs about new scientific discovery and take those stories to a
worldwide audience.”

Apsell, the senior executive producer for NOVA and director
of the WGBH/NOVA Science Unit, added, “Both NOVA and National Geographic have
tremendous individual histories of supporting new discoveries and promoting
great science through television. I believe our collective abilities to
communicate innovative and entertaining science stories, combined with a
passion for capturing high-quality, striking visuals, will come together to
make truly exceptional programming for both NOVA and the international market.”

—By Kristin Brzoznowski