Television

NEW NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SPECIALS CLIMB INSIDE MYSTICAL, UNTOUCHED CAVES

2009-11-17

WASHINGTON (Nov. 16, 2009)—High in the Himalaya, in the most remote kingdom in the world, explorers have found thousands of mysterious caves. Their dark portals beckon with the promise of a glimpse into a lost world. Now, in two new riveting National Geographic Television SPECIALS, produced exclusively for public television and premiering on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, a team of climbers and scholars set out to reach them and give viewers a glimpse into the forbidden kingdom of Mustang and the unseen treasures these lost caves contain.

In April 2007, a team of climbers and scientists climbed inside the long-hidden chambers for the first time in modern history. In "Lost Cave Temples of the Himalayas," viewers follow the story, told by filmmaker Liesl Clark, of how her husband, seven-time Everest summiter Pete Athans, and big wall climber Renan Ozturk take on the dangerous job of climbing into the crumbling caves. Their goals are to get inside the inaccessible cave cities that humans have not entered for hundreds, if not thousands, of years to document what's inside and to search for nine legendary cave temples called "kabum." What they find goes far beyond their expectations, rocking the Himalayan world and rewriting the history of this remote and mystical region, previously off-limits to outsiders. The treasures include a 55-panel painted mural and piles of old Tibetan manuscript folios, some printed in silver and gold. It's an explorer's dream, where each vertical move into a cave opening is a step into the unknown.

A year later, Athans and a team of internationally renowned climbers and explorers returned to the kingdom of Mustang, and their journey continues in "Secrets of Shangri-La." With grants from the National Geographic Society, the team joins forces with archaeologists, anthropologists and art historians to rescue the texts from the crumbling landscape before looters get to them. The texts are adorned with beautiful "illuminations," small paintings worth tens of thousands of dollars on the international art market.

As they prepare to climb up into the caves, the Lo Manthang Youth Club, a political group from a nearby village, tries to stop them. What ensues is an intriguing set of events involving the King of Mustang, the highest lama of the land, and even the divinities that are believed to inhabit the area.

"These caves are probably the most reliable indicator of the continuous history of this area. The kinds of things we find in there, from the archaeological record to perhaps the richest literary repository we've found, means that these really are the places on which we need to focus if we want to establish as full as possible a picture of the history and culture of the Himalaya," said Oxford University anthropologist Charles Ramble, who has studied this culture for 28 years and has lived among the Mustang people.

Join PBS and National Geographic Television on a mystical journey through the most hidden regions of the Himalaya and tune in on Nov. 18 (check local listings for time) to watch "Lost Caves of the Himalayas" and "Secrets of Shangri-La." Both programs were underwritten by the Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation and The North Face. National Geographic Adventure magazine will prominently feature the discoveries in Mustang in an article in its December/January issue, on newsstands Nov. 24.

Both "Lost Caves of the Himalayas" and "Secrets of Shangri-La" were written, produced and directed by Liesl Clark and edited by Jean Dunoyer. Senior executive producer was John Bredar.

National Geographic Television (NGT) is the documentary TV production arm of the National Geographic Society, known around the world for its remarkable visuals and compelling stories. The Society is one of the largest global scientific and educational organizations, supporting field science on every continent. In 1963 NGT broke ground by broadcasting on American network television the first moving pictures from the summit of Everest. Since then, NGT has continued to push technology to its limits to bring great stories to television audiences worldwide. With more than 130 Emmy Awards and nearly 1,000 other industry accolades, NGT programming can be seen globally on the National Geographic Channel, as well as terrestrial and other cable and satellite broadcasters worldwide through international sales by National Geographic Television International, and on U.S. public television stations. The National Geographic Channel is received by more than 310 million households in 34 languages in 165 countries.

PBS, headquartered in Alexandria, Va., is a private nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation's 349 public television stations. Serving nearly 100 million each week, PBS enriches the lives of all Americans through quality programs and education services on noncommercial television, the Internet and other media. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org.

The Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation is a private family foundation created in 1992 by Tom and Virginia Cabot. It was their wish that this foundation would be the instrument through which their descendants could actively participate in carrying on their tradition of trying to help make this a better world.

The North Face, a division of VF Outdoor Inc., was founded in 1968. Headquartered in San Leandro, Calif., the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snowsport athletes, endurance athletes and explorers. The company's products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking, running and snowsport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SCHOOL PUBLISHING RESPOND TO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN ANTICIPATION OF H1N1 FLU CRISIS

2009-11-09

(Washington, D.C. - November 9, 2009) As the nation heeds the significance of President Obama's declaration of a national emergency to deal with the H1N1 flu, educators are bracing for the possibility of widespread impact on student learning as a result of the virus. National Geographic Channel (NGC) and National Geographic School Publishing (NGSP) are responding to the urgent call of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to provide continuity of learning to keep students, sick or well, engaged in meaningful education activities if they are kept home during flu season. To help address the needs of students who will be impacted, NGC and NGSP today announced the launch of a special programming block and free education resources that will be made available during what is expected to be peak flu season.

Beginning November 16, NGC will air two-hour programming blocks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET, weekdays, over a six-week period, as well as provide select programs available anytime online at www.natgeotv.com/education. All programs in this educational block will be complemented with free Web-based activity guides and resources provided by NGSP via a special "continuity of learning" portal, National Geographic Home Zone (www.NGSP.com/homezone). The G-rated programming will be culled from the network's award-winning specials and ongoing series, including Explorer, Naked Science and Wild Spaces, while the educational materials will be suitable for elementary, middle school and high school students, applicable to science, social studies and other disciplines. The intent is to provide students who are absent from school with opportunities to engage in a relevant learning experience.

Commenting on this announcement, John Fahey, president and CEO of National Geographic, said, "This effort underscores the commitment of National Geographic to partner with educators and parents, and is totally consistent with our mission of inspiring people to care about the planet. The National Geographic Channel and our school publishing unit are in a unique position to bring relevant learning resources into homes during the flu season. We hope students of all ages will both enjoy and benefit from the wonderfully engaging programs and related materials being offered."

National Geographic Channel is the only media company stepping up to provide specific resources to support this education initiative. Commenting on the activities, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said, "The H1N1 flu and the flu season in general may well impact the health and learning experience of millions of students. We appreciate the extraordinary measures that National Geographic has set in place to support the continuity of learning initiative. Efforts like these will help ameliorate the intensity of a potential crisis, and help ensure that the learning process continues."

National Geographic Channel
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel (NGC) is a joint venture between National Geographic Ventures (NGV) and Fox Cable Networks (FCN). Since launching in January 2001, NGC initially earned some of the fastest distribution growth in the history of cable and more recently the fastest ratings growth in television. The network celebrated its fifth anniversary in January 2006 with the launch of NGC HD, which provides the spectacular imagery that National Geographic is known for in stunning high-definition. NGC has carriage with all of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available in nearly 70 million homes. For more information, please visit www.natgeotv.com.

National Geographic School Publishing
National Geographic School Publishing provides quality PreK-12 instructional materials, including resources for emergent and early literacy, reading/language arts, ESL/ELD, science, social studies and content literacy development. Our National Geographic and Hampton-Brown brands include award-winning educational programs that deliver the high-interest content that you've come to know and expect from National Geographic. For more information, please visit ngsp.com.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HOME ENTERTAINMENT AND WARNER HOME VIDEO TO RELEASE AWARD-WINNING NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTARIES IN CHINA

2009-09-23

WASHINGTON (Sept. 23, 2009)—National Geographic Home Entertainment division has inked a deal with Warner Home Video to distribute National Geographic documentary programs in the People's Republic of China. The partnership strengthens National Geographic's presence in China, with more than 130 of the Society's award-winning documentaries being made available to the Chinese audience through Warner Home Video's joint venture, CAV Warner Home Entertainment, in the first year. The partnership announcement was made today by Julie Bellonte, senior vice president of National Geographic's Home Entertainment group.

Set to begin distribution this fall, the titles released throughout the year will consist of single releases and collections, including the award-winning title "Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure" in 3-D, which will be released in standard and high-definition formats such as China Blue Hi-def and Blu-ray. Additional titles to be released in the next six months include "Atmospheres: Earth, Air and Water," "China's Mystery Mummies," "Kingdom of the Blue Whale," "World's Deadliest Animals" and the series "National Geographic's Most Amazing Moments," among others.

"CAV Warner has a very strong marketing and sales presence in China, and National Geographic is very pleased to be working with the company to develop our Home Entertainment business in the country," Bellonte said. "Their operation provides a unique blend of knowledge and experience that will enhance National Geographic's presence in China and bring our award-winning films and brand awareness to the public."

Warner Bros. is the first and to date the only U.S. studio to establish an in-country DVD business in the People's Republic of China. CAV Warner distributes a wide range of content, including Warner Bros., Universal, Paramount, Dreamworks, local Chinese titles and independent labels directly to around 100 cities across China.

"We are very excited to be partnering with National Geographic Home Entertainment in China", said Tony Vaughan, managing director of CAV Warner Home Entertainment. "National Geographic already has a strong consumer franchise in the PRC and with the current rapid expansion of high-definition television households, we believe that there will be significant consumer demand to watch this superb content in both standard and high definition."

NOTE: Images are available for download at the following FTP site. Please credit images ©National Geographic Society.

http://ftp.nationalgeographic.com/pressroom/warner_china

username: press | password: press

About National Geographic Entertainment
National Geographic Entertainment (NGE) was established in 2007, combining into a single operating group National Geographic's Cinema Ventures, Feature Films, Kids Entertainment, Home Entertainment and Music & Radio business units. NGE is part of National Geographic Global Media, also formed in 2007, bringing together all of National Geographic's editorial platforms to streamline collaboration and further support the Society's mission. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," National Geographic works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 370 million people worldwide each month through magazines, books, digital media, television, radio, music, film and live events. It funds more than 250 scientific research, exploration and conservation projects each year and supports an education program promoting geography literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

About Warner Home Entertainment
With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Entertainment, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top-quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment, providing high quality of Hollywood new release and catalog titles to home video consumers all over the world.

About CAV Warner Home Entertainment
Shanghai-based CAV Warner Home Entertainment Co. is a joint venture between Warner Home Video and China Audio Video. Opened in 2004, the venture marks the first U.S. studio to create an in-country DVD/VCD distribution and marketing operation in China. CAV Warner Home Entertainment was established to address China's enormous consumer demand and growing appetite for reasonably priced legitimate alternatives to poor-quality pirated goods. In addition to distributing Warner Bros. home entertainment titles, the joint venture distributes home entertainment titles from Universal, Paramount and DreamWorks, etc., in the region. In 2009 CAV Warner has started to release titles on the China High Definition format, CBHD, as well as on Blu Ray.

SCALE THE WORLD'S TALLEST TREES IN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL'S EXPLORER: CLIMBING REDWOOD GIANTS AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE'S OCTOBER COVER STORY, "THE TALLEST TREES"

2009-09-15

They are living giants — among Earth's largest and longest-lived trees. Some tower higher than 350 feet, or taller than the Statue of Liberty; some may have been seedlings when Jesus was born. These natural legends house secret-garden worlds high up in their canopies and shroud centuries-old mysteries.

This fall, National Geographic magazine and National Geographic Channel (NGC) journey deep into the great redwood forests on the American West Coast for an illuminating look at these magnificent wonders — from the outermost edges of the forest to the tip of a single tree's crown. For the first time, we'll size up the health and future of the redwood range on foot and scale the trees' hulking limbs 30 stories up to glimpse rich canopy ecosystems in the clouds. Then, we'll see how state-of-the-art digital technology provides a never-before-seen perspective of a 300-foot tall titan.

The redwood adventure is described in the cover story of the October issue of National Geographic magazine and in NGC's Explorer: Climbing Redwood Giants, premiering Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. More information can be found at www.nationalgeographic.com/redwoods

In 2007-2008, conservationist and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Mike Fay set out to walk the entire redwood range to study how forestry management is affecting the trees' survival. Both the magazine cover article and film illuminate Fay and his hiking partner's unprecedented 333-day, 1,800-mile trek from Big Sur north to southern Oregon. "There's nothing that compares to the redwood," says Fay in the film. "When you walk through one of the ancient groves of redwoods, you get a feeling like no other forest can give you."

Over the course of their grueling journey, Fay became convinced that California could be at the forefront of a new philosophy of forestry, one that holds the promise not just of sustainable logging but of some forest recovery.

In the National Geographic magazine cover article, author Joel Bourne describes the complicated logging history of the redwood range and reveals the forestry management techniques that may lead toward Fay's vision of redwood forests managed not only for human benefit but also with an eye to bringing back the rich diversity of ecosystems that once flourished throughout the redwood range.

Graphics show how canopy gardens grow, and Michael "Nick" Nichols' photographs of the forests, their wildlife and the communities around them bring home the beauty of this unique American habitat. The issue includes a five-page foldout poster of Nichols' full-length portrait of a 300-foot tree.

Juxtaposed with the challenges of Fay's 11-month trek through clear-cuts, second-growth forest, dense underbrush and soaring cathedral-like old-growth stands, Explorer: Climbing Redwood Giants highlights the work of forest scientist Steve Sillett of Humboldt State University ― the first scientist to climb into redwood canopies and pioneer studies of their rich canopy ecosystems. Hear about his "mind-blowing" findings in the canopy during his extensive eight-year research, including immense tree limbs that support three-foot-thick mats of canopy soil, huckleberry bushes with fruit and even wandering salamanders.

Sillett's painstaking cataloging and measurement of trees by hand is complemented by a new use of lidar (light detection and ranging) technology, which allows him to pinpoint trees from airplane surveys — prompting discoveries of tall trees hidden on slopes or valleys. Viewers are taken up into the trees to experience the mystery and grandeur of the canopy and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how National Geographic photographer Nick Nichols captured a unique perspective of a 300-foot tall tree. Nichols used state-of-the-art digital technology and human ingenuity to rig cameras that smoothly traveled from the crown of the tree to its base.

With insight from Fay's extreme expedition and Sillett's detailed research, as well as that of foresters practicing forest management, National Geographic celebrates the majesty of the remaining ancient giants and shines a light on what the future holds for our redwood forests.

"If you're lucky enough to get up into the crowns of one these trees, it puts your own insignificant existence in perspective," says Sillett in the film. "It makes you realize that there's something much greater than yourself."

Together, National Geographic magazine and National Geographic Channel reach more than 350 million people worldwide.

Explorer: Climbing Redwood Giants is produced by National Geographic Television for the National Geographic Channel. For National Geographic Television, executive producer is Jonathan Halperin, series producer is Max Salomon and producer/directors are John Rubin and James Donald. For the National Geographic Channel executive producer is Kathleen Cromley, senior vice president of production is Juliet Blake and executive vice president of content is Steve Burns.

For more information, visit natgeotv.com/explorer.

# # #

About National Geographic magazine
Long recognized for outstanding photojournalism, award-winning National Geographic magazine offers in-depth reporting on science, world cultures, archaeology, paleontology, adventure and the environment to inspire readers to care about the planet. Reaching more than 35 million readers a month, the magazine is the official journal of the National Geographic Society, founded in 1888. Sale of the magazine supports the exploration and research work of the Society, one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Published in English and 31 local-language editions, the magazine is available on newsstands or can be ordered by calling (800) NGS-LINE or visiting its Web site at www.ngm.com.

National Geographic Channel
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel (NGC) is a joint venture between National Geographic Ventures (NGV) and Fox Cable Networks (FCN). Since launching in January 2001, NGC initially earned some of the fastest distribution growth in the history of cable and more recently the fastest ratings growth in television. The network celebrated its fifth anniversary January 2006 with the launch of NGC HD which provides the spectacular imagery that National Geographic is known for in stunning high-definition. NGC has carriage with all of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available in nearly 70 million homes. For more information, please visit www.natgeotv.com.

FIRST SCRIPTED FEATURE FROM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TELEVISION CASTS 'LOST''S HENRY IAN CUSICK AS CHARLES DARWIN, FRANCES O'CONNOR AS EMMA DARWIN

2009-08-24

WASHINGTON (June 17, 2009)—Henry Ian Cusick ("Lost") and Frances O'Connor ("Mansfield Park," "The Importance of Being Earnest," Steven Spielberg's "Artificial Intelligence") will star in National Geographic Television's (NGT) first scripted drama, on Charles Darwin, now wrapping up principal photography in Canada. The two-hour drama will air in the United States on the PBS signature series NOVA in winter 2009 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of his seminal work "On the Origin of Species." The film will be distributed internationally by Cinema Management Group.

"We felt it was important to cast actors who will connect deeply with the roles of Charles and Emma, since we plan to shine a new light on the enigmatic Charles Darwin, showing his vulnerabilities while also making his great insights understandable," said Michael Rosenfeld, president of NGT, a television production company internationally renowned for its award-winning factual programming. "With Cusick, we have found the perfect blend of star power and personal intensity to portray a man who sparked a scientific revolution. O'Connor's natural warmth and on-screen radiance make her ideal for the role of Emma."

In 1858 Darwin received a letter from naturalist Alfred Wallace, explaining his own theory of evolution. This was the trigger event that led to the publication of Darwin's theory on the origin of species.

"NOVA is pleased to share the story of one of the most important scientific figures in history with PBS audiences nationwide," said Paula S. Apsell, senior executive producer of NOVA and director of the WGBH Science Unit. "The Darwin project will bring to life the compelling human story behind the groundbreaking science — revealing the personal struggles Darwin went through to ultimately launch his brilliant theory."

For the Darwin project, NGT harnesses the extensive scholarship and massive online resource of the Darwin Correspondence Project to provide a dramatic account of the life of one of the most influential men in the history of science. The meticulously researched and scientifically accurate screenplay was written by U.K. writer John Goldsmith. Former head of The Writers' Guild of Great Britain, Goldsmith has scripted numerous historical dramas, including "Victoria and Albert," "David Copperfield" and "Kidnapped!" The script has been crafted in consultation with a respected group of Darwin and evolution scholars.

The film is directed by John Bradshaw; the producer is Michael Mahoney; executive producers are Norman Stephens and John Bredar.

Support for the film comes from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which supports documentaries and feature films through its program in public understanding of science and technology and which has also funded the Darwin Correspondence Project. The Arthur Vining Davis Foundation has also contributed.

The Darwin film also will air on Japanese public television NHK, under a co-production agreement secured by National Geographic Television International.

About the Darwin project
The drama unfolds over the course of roughly two weeks in June and early July of 1858. During this time, Charles Darwin's world seems to disintegrate: His life's work, what he called "his abominable volume," is in danger of being scooped by an unknown; at the same time, one of his children is stricken by scarlet fever and one with diphtheria. Darwin is reeling with his career and home in tumult. His wife, Emma, is a rock. She tells Darwin that she will help him solve the problem, but that he has to explain what the letter from Alfred Wallace means and how it impacts his own theory. Though her husband's work challenges her deep Christian faith, they agree to disagree. Through Emma's careful coaxing, we flash back with Darwin to his journey and to the evolution of his theory of evolution, learning with him as he figures out what he called, "the mystery of mysteries" and we come to understand why the letter from Wallace is such a bombshell. In the end, it is the remarkable and erudite Emma, a classically trained pianist who studied with Chopin, who sees her husband through this nightmare, even as one of their children dies from fever. Emma and Charles Darwin, along with his colleagues, plot out a path through the crisis, allowing Darwin to proceed with the publication of one of history's most influential theories. Never before has a more personal or more accurate account of Darwin's life at this critical juncture been explored.

About National Geographic Television
National Geographic Television (NGT) is the documentary TV production arm of the National Geographic Society (NGS), known around the world for its remarkable visuals and compelling stories. NGS is one of the largest global scientific and educational organizations, supporting field science on every continent and providing NGT with unparalleled access to developing stories around the world. In 1963 NGT broke ground by broadcasting on American network television the first moving pictures from the summit of Everest. Since then, NGT has continued to push technology to its limits to bring great stories to television audiences worldwide. With 129 Emmy Awards and nearly 1,000 other industry accolades, NGT programming can be seen globally on the National Geographic Channel, as well as on terrestrial and other cable and satellite broadcasters worldwide through international sales by National Geographic Television International, and on U.S. public television stations.

About NOVA
Now in its 36th year of broadcasting, NOVA continues to produce in-depth science programming and upholds a longstanding reputation for providing unprecedented access to critical science stories, including the first test tube baby, the eradication of smallpox and the developing branch of theoretical physics, string theory. NOVA is television's most-watched primetime science series; in the U.S. alone, the popular public television series reaches an average of 5 million viewers weekly. NOVA documentaries regularly reach tens of millions of viewers across the world and are broadcast by over 75 separate channels, covering more than 150 countries. Over the years, the series has garnered almost every industry award multiple times, including the Emmy, the George Foster Peabody Award and the Alfred duPont-Columbia University Award, the television equivalent of a Pulitzer Prize. NOVA is produced for PBS by the WGBH Science Unit at WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers.

About Cinema Management Group
Cinema Management Group (CMG) is a full-service foreign sales company founded in 2003 by industry veteran Edward Noeltner. CMG actively licenses worldwide live-action feature films with budgets ranging from US$2 million-12 million, animated features in the budget range of US$10 million-16 million and quality documentaries. During the recent Cannes Film Festival, CMG licensed over 25 international territories on the US$5 million budget martial arts feature "Blood and Bone," to be released first quarter 2010 by Sony Pictures Entertainment, as well as a half dozen territories on the civil rights drama "American Violet," recently released by Samuel Goldwyn Films. In Cannes, CMG also successfully launched the new 3-D digital animated feature "Khumba," coming off the successful launch of the animated feature "Zambezia" during the AFM and Berlin, having pre-sold that film in over 20 territories. On the documentary front, CMG is representing Cirque du Soleil and The Beatles' documentary feature "All Together Now" as well as "Against the Tide," narrated by Dustin Hoffman and produced by Moriah Films, the production unit of The Simon Wiesenthal Center. For more information, visit www.CinemaManagementGroup.com.

About Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
The New York-based Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, founded in 1934, makes grants in science, technology, economics and the quality of American life. The goal of the public understanding of science and technology program, which supports the use of books, film, radio, television, theater, the Internet and other media to reach a wide non-specialist audience, is to enhance people's lives by providing a better understanding of the increasingly scientific and technological environment in which we live. The Foundation is a major supporter of public television documentaries, docudramas and dramas about science and technology, including acclaimed series such as "The American Experience" and "NOVA scienceNOW," and Emmy- and Peabody-winning shows such as "The Elegant Universe," "DNA," "Forgotten Genius" and "The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer." The Foundation also supports six of the nation's leading film schools and screenplay development programs at Sundance, Tribeca, the Hamptons and Film Independent to encourage more realistic and compelling stories about science and technology and to challenge existing stereotypes of scientists, engineers and mathematicians in the popular imagination. Sloan co-funded "The Correspondence of Charles Darwin," a landmark multi-decade effort to publish more than 14,000 letters between Charles Darwin and over 2,000 correspondents around the world.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HOME ENTERTAINMENT TO UNLEASH THIRD SEASON OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL'S HIT 'DOGTOWN' SERIES ON DVD OCT. 27

2009-08-11

WASHINGTON (Aug. 11, 2009)--Following the success of the season one and two DVDs of "DogTown," National Geographic will bring back the friendly faces of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and its resilient canine wards for a third time in "DogTown: Friends in Need," available Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, on shopNGvideos.com, in stores where videos are sold or by calling (800) 627-5162.

Featuring 10 new episodes detailing the transformation of rejected, misfit dogs into adoptable pets with a second chance at life, the three-disc standard-definition set also includes the bonus programs "Archie and Electra's New Run," "Rescue Dogs" and a primer on Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. "DogTown: Friends in Need" is available for pre-order now.

In season two, viewers watched the amazing rehabilitation of the Michael Vick dogs at Dogtown, the last-hope shelter that's part of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest facility for homeless animals in the country. Here, dedicated vets, caregivers and trainers tackle cases most deem too difficult. "It just takes a lot of patience, a lot of TLC ... and a pocket full of chicken!" says dog care manager and trainer John Garcia.

"DogTown: Friends in Need" introduces viewers to some of the sanctuary's most challenging cases to date -- Aristotle, a scab-covered terrier mix rescued from a hoarding situation; Waylon, an aggressive chow mix that lashes out unpredictably; Rush, a traumatized shepherd mix airlifted from a Middle Eastern war zone; and Gertie, a puppy-mill shih tzu that snorts. On the front lines along with Garcia are dog care manager Michelle Besmehn; veterinarians Dr. Michael Dix and Dr. Patti Lampietro; and trainers Sherry Woodard, Pat Whitacre and Ann Allums.

Episodes include:

"DogTown: The Survivors"
Aristotle, a terrier mix rescued from a hoarding situation, comes to Dogtown with a skin condition that is one of the worst cases veterinarian Michael Dix has ever seen, but with special meds and extra care, this shy puppy transforms into a "bouncing, not-itching, monkey" with a bright future. Meanwhile, trainer Pat Whitacre faces Waylon, an aggressive chow mix he is sure hides an endearing personality underneath.

"DogTown: Against the Odds"
Dog care manager Michelle Besmehn travels to Los Angeles to rescue several older dogs from an overcrowded puppy mill. Many have severe medical issues and haven't seen a vet before. A Chihuahua named Mei Mei likely spent her life in a cage and needs Michelle's training to become house-trained; and Gertie, a shih tzu, requires the right home for her special needs. Then, Dr. Dix performs a risky lung surgery on Charro, an adult Labrador mix with a persistent cough.

"DogTown: Starting Over"
Two homeless dogs named Haley and Hana are rescued from an underground cave in Ethiopia, where it is believed they survived for more than two months after being dumped there by locals. Can behavior consultant Sherry Woodard help the street dogs overcome their fears and improve their social skills in order to take on a domestic world? Hugo, a 100-pound bloodhound, must learn a safer way to interact when he returns to Dogtown after seriously biting a family member. Dr. Patti Lampietro performs surgery on a golden retriever injured by a coyote trap.

"DogTown: New Hope"
Trainer John Garcia takes on Rush, a shepherd mix airlifted from a Middle East war zone, that is withdrawn and frightened of loud noises — a suspected case of post-traumatic stress. Meanwhile, trainers face a similar situation with Scruffy, a terrier mix that managed to survive Hurricane Katrina, but is now petrified of new situations, from walking through doorways and onto floor surfaces to getting into cars.

"DogTown: A Fighting Chance"
Music star Emmylou Harris calls for help with a vicious shepherd mix named Gunnar, leaving animal behavior specialist Sherry Woodard only a few days to come up with a plan to overcome his aggression. Vet Patti Lampietro performs exploratory surgery on Theresa, an abandoned pit bull with a history of skin cancer. Boisterous trainer John Garcia teaches a painfully shy Catahoula leopard dog mix named Little Girl to trust the world one person at a time.

"DogTown: A Fresh Start"
Dogtown's head veterinarian, Michael Dix, performs surgery on Zambi, a black Lab mix, in the hopes of giving this dog a new chance at life. Trainer Ann Allums gears up with Casey, a beagle mix with a hyper temperament that has kept him from being adopted for the last five years. Trainer Pat Whitacre works to socialize Bingo, a painfully shy shepherd mix.

"DogTown: Will to Survive"
Trainer John Garcia takes on a tough project with Chico, a border-collie mix with a strong prey drive. Trainer Ann Allums helps Tuxedo, a puppy that lost his eyesight as a result of Salmonella poisoning, learn basic skills and obedience to keep him out of danger. Trainer Pat Whitacre comes to the rescue of a severely emaciated stray named Scone that he must get healthy before he can help the gentle-natured dog find a home.

"DogTown: Life After Dogtown"
A special "where are they now?" episode, updates the stories of some of Dogtown's favorite patients: Tuffy, the pointer-mix found nearly dead in the desert; Remington and Ruger, the two inseparable outdoor hounds; Aristotle, the pink Jack Russell with virtually no hair; and Wiggles, the abandoned bulldog suffering from a neurological condition. The special includes never-before-seen footage and interviews.

"DogTown: Rescue and Renewal"
Dog care manager Michelle Besmehn travels to Parkersburg, W.Va., to bring back several dogs rescued from a mass-breeding operation: Parker, a male dachshund, has painfully rotten and infected teeth that, if left untreated, will eventually kill him; and Barney, a shih tzu, has sores on his paws from living in a wire cage that prevent him from walking without pain. Meanwhile, Buzz, a long-term resident of Dogtown, needs trainer Jeff Popowich's help to learn how to feel safe around people so he can live a happier, more fulfilled life.

"DogTown: Friends in Need"
A young pit bull found on the street after Hurricane Gustav is rescued and nursed back to health. A sheltie mix known for threatening people in her past learns that rewards follow good behavior, and Ellie, a hound mix that suffers serious medical conditions after years of living in a home where she lacked minimum care, is rescued and treated.

This fall, National Geographic will publish the long-awaited companion book, "DOGTOWN: Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Redemption," by Stefan Bechtel (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-0562-0; 320 pages, 50 black & white photographs, $26; Oct. 27, 2009). Consumers can play caregiver, trainer and veterinarian in the new "DogTown" game for PCs, available October 2009 from Nat Geo Games. Season four of "DogTown" debuts January 2009 on the National Geographic Channel. To learn more about the show, visit www.natgeotv.com/dogtown.

"DogTown" is produced by National Geographic Television for the National Geographic Channel. For National Geographic Television, executive producer is Kim Woodard; series producer is Darcy Dennett. For the National Geographic Channel, executive producer is Chris Valentini; senior vice president, production and development, is Juliet Blake; and executive vice president of content is Steve Burns.

National Geographic Entertainment (NGE) was established in 2007, combining into a single operating group National Geographic's Cinema Ventures, Feature Films, Kids Entertainment, Home Entertainment and Music & Radio business units. NGE is part of National Geographic Global Media, also formed in 2007, bringing together all of National Geographic's editorial platforms to streamline collaboration and further support the Society's mission. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," National Geographic works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 370 million people worldwide each month through magazines, books, digital media, television, radio, music, film, exhibits and live events. It funds more than 250 scientific research, exploration and conservation projects each year and supports an education program promoting geography literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

"DogTown: Friends in Need"
Street Date: Oct. 27, 2009
Order Due Date: Sept. 22, 2009
Suggested Retail Price: $29.98
Run Time: Approx. 500 mins.

FIRST SCRIPTED FEATURE FROM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TELEVISION TO AIR OCTOBER 6 ON PBS' EMMY-AWARD® WINNING SERIES NOVA

2009-07-23

WASHINGTON (July 23, 2009)--The president of National Geographic Television (NGT), Michael Rosenfeld, announced today NGT's first scripted drama, "Darwin's Darkest Hour," which has completed principal photography in Canada. World-renowned television production company NGT, nominated this year for 11 Emmys, already has won more than 130 Emmy awards for its factual programming production.

Starring Henry Ian Cusick ("Lost") and Frances O'Connor ("Mansfield Park," "The Importance of Being Earnest," Steven Spielberg's "Artificial Intelligence: AI"), the two-hour drama will air in the U.S. on the PBS signature series NOVA. Scheduled to air Oct. 6, 2009, "Darwin's Darkest Hour" will coincide with the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of his seminal work "On the Origin of the Species." The film will be distributed internationally by Cinema Management Group (CMG).

"We felt it was important to cast actors who will connect deeply with the roles of Charles and Emma, since we plan to shine a new light on the enigmatic Charles Darwin, showing his vulnerabilities while also making his great insights understandable," Rosenfeld said. "With Cusick, we have found the perfect blend of star power and personal intensity to portray a man who sparked a scientific revolution. O'Connor's natural warmth and on-screen radiance make her ideal for the role of Emma."

In 1858 Charles Darwin received a letter from naturalist Alfred Wallace, explaining his own theory of evolution. This was the trigger event that led to the publication of Darwin's seminal theory on the origin of species.

"NOVA is pleased to work with National Geographic and share the story of one the most important scientific figures in history with PBS audiences nationwide," said Paula S. Apsell, senior executive producer of NOVA and director of the WGBH-Boston Science Unit. "'Darwin's Darkest Hour' will bring to life the compelling human story behind the groundbreaking science -- revealing Darwin's personal struggles that he went through to ultimately launch his brilliant theory."

For "Darwin's Darkest Hour," NGT harnesses the extensive scholarship and massive online resource of the Darwin Correspondence Project to provide a dramatic account of the life of one of the most influential men in the history of science. The meticulously researched and scientifically accurate screenplay was written by U.K. writer John Goldsmith. Former head of the British Writers Guild, Goldsmith has scripted numerous historical dramas including "Victoria and Albert," "David Copperfield," and "Kidnapped!" The script was crafted in consultation with a respected group of Darwin and evolution scholars.

The film is directed by John Bradshaw. Producer is Michael Mahoney. Executive producers are Norman Stephens and John Bredar. Senior executive producer for NOVA is Paula S. Apsell.

Support for "Darwin's Darkest Hour" has come from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which supports documentaries and feature films through its program in public understanding of science and technology and has also funded the Darwin Correspondence Project. The Arthur Vining Davis Foundation also contributed.

In Japan, "Darwin's Darkest Hour" will air on Japanese public television, NHK, under a co-production agreement secured by National Geographic Television International.

About "Darwin's Darkest Hour"
The drama unfolds over the course of roughly two weeks in June and early July of 1858. During this time, Darwin's world seems to disintegrate: His life's work, what he called "his abominable volume," is in danger of being scooped by an unknown; at the same time, one of his children is stricken by scarlet fever and one with diphtheria. Darwin is reeling, with his career and home in tumult. His wife, Emma, is a rock. She tells Charles that she will help him solve the problem but that he has to explain what the letter from Alfred Wallace means and how it impacts his own theory. Although her husband's work challenges her deep Christian faith, they agree to disagree. Through Emma's careful coaxing, we flash back with Charles to his journey and to the evolution of his theory of evolution, learning with Darwin as he figures out what he called "the mystery of mysteries" and come to understand why the letter from Wallace is such a bombshell. In the end, it is the remarkable, erudite Emma, a classically trained pianist who studied with Chopin, who will see Charles through this nightmare, even as one of her children dies of fever. Charles and Emma, along with his colleagues, plot out a path through the crisis, allowing Darwin to proceed with publication of one of history's most influential theories. Never before has a more personal or more accurate account of Darwin's life at this critical juncture been explored.

About National Geographic Television
National Geographic Television (NGT) is the documentary TV production arm of the National Geographic Society (NGS), known around the world for its remarkable visuals and compelling stories. NGS is one of the largest global scientific and educational organizations, supporting field science on every continent and providing NGT with unparalleled access to developing stories around the world. In 1963 NGT broke ground by broadcasting on American network television the first moving pictures from the summit of Everest. Since then, NGT has continued to push technology to its limits to bring great stories to television audiences worldwide. With more than 130 Emmy Awards and nearly 1,000 other industry accolades, NGT programming can be seen globally on the National Geographic Channel, as well as terrestrial and other cable and satellite broadcasters worldwide through international sales by National Geographic Television International, and on U.S. public television stations.

About NOVA
Now in its 36th year of broadcasting, NOVA continues to produce in-depth science programming and upholds a longstanding reputation for providing unprecedented access to critical science stories including the first test tube baby, the eradication of smallpox and the developing branch of theoretical physics, string theory. NOVA is television's most-watched primetime science series; in the U.S. alone, the popular public television series reaches an average of five million viewers weekly. NOVA documentaries regularly reach tens of millions of viewers across the world and are broadcast by over 75 separate channels, covering more than 150 countries. Over the years, the series has garnered almost every industry award multiple times including the Emmy, the George Foster Peabody Award and the Alfred duPont-Columbia University Award, the television equivalent of a Pulitzer Prize. NOVA is produced for PBS by the WGBH Science Unit at WGBH in Boston. Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers.

About Cinema Management Group
CMG is a full service foreign sales company founded in 2003 by industry veteran Edward Noeltner. CMG actively licenses worldwide live action feature films with budgets ranging from US$ 2 - 12 million, animated features in the budget range of US$ 10 - 16 million and quality documentaries. During the recent Cannes Film Festival, CMG licensed over 25 international territories on the US$ 5 million budget martial arts feature "Blood and Bone," to be released first quarter 2010 by Sony Pictures Entertainment, as well as a half dozen territories on the civil rights drama "American Violet," recently released by Samuel Goldwyn Films. In Cannes CMG also successfully launched the new 3-D Digital animated feature "Khumba," coming off the successful launch of the animated feature "Zambezia," during the AFM and Berlin, having pre-sold that film in over 20 territories. On the documentary front, CMG is representing Cirque du Soleil and The Beatles' documentary feature: "All Together Now," as well as "Against the Tide," narrated by Dustin Hoffman and produced by Moriah Films, the production unit of The Simon Wiesenthal Center. For more information, please consult www.CinemaManagementGroup.com

About Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
The New York-based Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, founded in 1934, makes grants in science, technology, economics and the quality of American life. The goal of the public understanding of science and technology program, which supports the use of books, film, radio, television, theater, the Internet and other media to reach a wide non-specialist audience, is to enhance people's lives by providing a better understanding of the increasingly scientific and technological environment in which we live. The Foundation is a major supporter of public television documentaries, docudramas and dramas about science and technology, including acclaimed series such as "The American Experience" and "NOVA scienceNOW," and Emmy- and Peabody-winning shows such as "The Elegant Universe," "DNA," "Forgotten Genius" and "The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer." The Foundation also supports six of the nation's leading film schools and screenplay development programs at Sundance, Tribeca, the Hamptons and Film Independent to encourage more realistic and compelling stories about science and technology and to challenge existing stereotypes of scientists, engineers and mathematicians in the popular imagination. Sloan co-funded "The Correspondence of Charles Darwin," a landmark multi-decade effort to publish more than 14,000 letters between Charles Darwin and over 2,000 correspondents around the world.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BRINGS ITS BLOCKBUSTER HITS 'ON BOARD AIR FORCE ONE' AND 'ON BOARD MARINE ONE' TO DVD

2009-03-25

WASHINGTON (March 24, 2009)—For the first time, National Geographic is bringing the National Geographic Channel's highest- and second-highest-rated one-hour premieres, "On Board Air Force One" and "On Board Marine One," to DVD.

Featuring then-President-Elect Barack Obama's first official flight on the plane from the Air Force One fleet, "On Board Air Force One" gives the ultimate guided tour of Air Force One, from the president's bedroom to the top-secret communications bay and the crew charged with operating this global command center in the sky.

"On Board Marine One" goes inside the tightly guarded gates of HMX-1, the Marine Corps' oldest and largest helicopter squadron, to see what it takes to fly the president where Air Force One can't — beyond tarmacs and runways to points across the globe. Both DVDs are available Tuesday, April 21, on shopNGvideos.com, in stores where videos are sold or by calling (800) 627-5162.

Other new standout releases on DVD include collections of some of National Geographic Channel's most popular programming, such as "World's Toughest Fixes" and "Ultimate Factories," as well as its groundbreaking "In the Womb" series. "Direct from the Moon," with astronaut Buzz Aldrin, includes stunning images from the Kaguya lunar orbiter, featuring spectacularly detailed images of the moon and Earth as never seen before.

A full listing of new releases follows:

"On Board Air Force One"
Journey aboard as National Geographic joins the members of the Presidential Airlift Group (PAG) on the world's most secure aircraft to document a diplomatic mission of historic significance and scope: an eight-day tour through six countries in the Middle East. Witness how each member of the PAG, from maintenance and engineering to the flight crew and presidential security detachment, prepare for a highly publicized trip, as the president meets foreign leaders on the ground in the heart of the Holy Land. The film includes President Barack Obama's introduction to his Air Force One crew and features President George W. Bush's last ride on Air Force One.

Street Date: April 21, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 50 Mins.

"On Board Marine One"
Go inside the gates of HMX-1, the Marine Corps' oldest and largest helicopter squadron, and see what it takes to fly the president where Air Force One can't. Learn about the rigorous training and testing needed to become one of the privileged few working directly with the president's travel team. Then, visit "The Cage" at Quantico Marine Base, where Marine One helicopters are kept.

Street Date: April 21, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 50 Mins.

"Earth Report: State of the Planet 2009"
2008 was marked by astounding scientific breakthroughs in the understanding of our world — as well as by devastating reminders of how much the Earth still has to teach us. From advances in predicting earthquakes and typhoons to dazzling insights into the Northern lights and super volcanoes, stunning archival footage provides a window into the front line of science as National Geographic investigates the impact that development has had on the environment and what is being done to protect our planet.

Street Date: April 28, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 50 Mins.

"In the Womb: Identical Twins"
The latest installment of National Geographic's popular "In the Womb" series follows the embryonic and fetal journey of one of nature's most fascinating reproductive miracles — identical twins. Witness key moments — from the spontaneous splitting of a single fertilized egg to the moment of birth — and see dramatic 4-D ultrasound images of twins interacting in the womb in real time. "In the Womb" opens the window to how identical twins are helping to answer fundamental questions about nurture versus nature.

Street Date: April 28, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 50 Mins.

"In the Womb: Cats & Dogs"
From the producers of the acclaimed "In the Womb" series comes the story of the hidden world of cats' and dogs' fetal development. Supported by amazing visual effects, computer graphics and real-time, moving ultrasound pictures, "In the Womb: Cats & Dogs" gives us a unique view into the world of dogs' and cats' in-utero development.

Street Date: April 28, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 90 Mins.

"In the Womb Collection"
Featuring four critically acclaimed National Geographic Channel specials, the "In the Womb Collection" opens a window into the hidden world of a fetus as never before. With advanced CGI and amazing 4-D photography, viewers witness everyday miracles in astonishing detail. From the moment a single fertilized egg splits into two to create identical twins to the intricate processes that occur in the womb to shape animals and amazing in-utero interaction between multiples, National Geographic unlocks the mysteries of nature's most remarkable journeys. The collection includes "In the Womb," "In the Womb: Multiples," "In the Womb: Animals," "In the Womb: Identical Twins."

Street Date: April 28, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $39.98
Run Time: Approx. 316 Mins.

"National Geographic Ultimate Nature Collection — Deluxe Edition"
This stunning collection features 10 of National Geographic's award-winning nature and wildlife specials. From powerful predators to exotic and endangered landscapes, National Geographic journeys across land and sea to capture never-before-seen moments and awe-inspiring stories of survival in the wild. The collection includes "Eternal Enemies: Lions & Hyenas," "Relentless Enemies," "Eye of the Leopard," "Kingdom of the Blue Whale," "Dolphins: The Wild Side," "Wolves: A Legend Returns to Yellowstone," "In Search of the Jaguar," "Last Stand of the Great Bear," "Forces of Nature" and "Gabon: The Last Eden."

Street Date: April 28, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $59.98
Run Time: Approx. 620 Mins.

"Titanic: How It Really Sank"
The sinking of the Titanic was far more than a simple accident. It was a tragedy that could have been prevented. It was the result of a long chain of mistakes: a fatal series of avoidable human errors that sent the Titanic and more than half of her passengers to their watery graves. Based around the official inquiry held immediately after the event plus evidence that's come to light since the wreck of the Titanic was discovered in 1985, National Geographic answers the question: How did the Titanic sink?

Street Date: May 12, 2009
Pre-Order Date: April 7, 2009
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 50 Mins.

"Waking the Baby Mammoth"
Ten thousand years after her species became extinct, a nearly perfectly preserved baby woolly mammoth was discovered on the shore of a remote Siberian river. The discovery has been heralded as one of the most significant mammoth finds in history, and now, thanks to breakthrough science, she will yield the details of her life and be preserved for the ages. Interweaving cutting-edge science with Arctic adventure featuring a nomad, a scientist and a daring mammoth hunter, "Waking the Baby Mammoth" explores the secrets of the Ice Age to help explain what caused the woolly mammoth's extinction.

Street Date: May 19, 2009
Pre-Order Date: April 14, 2009
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 50 Mins.

"Direct from the Moon"
Featuring Buzz Aldrin and NASA scientists, "Direct from the Moon" explores the past, present and future of lunar expeditions, from the Apollo missions to the challenges involved with establishing a lunar outpost and innovations under way that will inspire the next generation of space exploration. With stunning footage from the Kaguya lunar orbiter, "Direct from the Moon" reveals images of the moon and Earth in spectacular detail never seen before.

Street Date: May 26, 2009
Pre-Order Date: April 21, 2009
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 50 Mins.

"Ultimate WWII Collection — Deluxe Edition"
Experience the compelling true stories and first-person accounts of remarkable heroism during World War lI in this definitive collection from National Geographic featuring more than seven hours of full-length programs — "Untold Stories of WWII," "The Battle for Midway," "Pearl Harbor: Legacy of Attack," "Search for the Battleship Bismarck," "The Lost Fleet of Guadalcanal," and "The Boys of Normandy: 60 Years After D-Day" — plus special features including interactive battle maps and timelines, behind-the-scenes footage, historical news reels and a trivia quiz.

Street Date: June 9, 2009
Pre-Order Date: May 5, 2009
Suggested Retail Price: $49.98
Run Time: Approx. 425 Mins.

"Ultimate Factories Collection — Deluxe Edition"
Go behind the scenes at some of the greatest one-of-a-kind factories in the world where famous brands create their extraordinary products. From an inside look at the making of BMW's newest sports car and Corvette's latest high-performance street machine to a tour of Budweiser's state-of-the-art brewing factory, this collection of 11 episodes offers exclusive access into the world's "Ultimate Factories." Programs include "BMW," "Corvette," "Peterbilt," "Caterpillar," "Fire Truck," "Winnebago," "M-1 Tank," "John Deere," "UPS," "Budweiser" and "Harley-Davidson."

Street Date: June 9, 2009
Pre-Order Date: May 5, 2009
Suggested Retail Price: $39.98
Run Time: Approx. 506 Mins.

"World's Toughest Fixes Collection"
"World's Toughest Fixes" takes on some of the most dangerous, unique and oversized repair jobs in the world. Whether dangling from ropes hundreds of feet in the air or diving beneath a bridge with a shaky foundation, host Sean Riley tackles fix-its on a monster scale. Includes 10 programs: "38 Ton Engine," "Boeing 767," "Nuclear Turbine," "Cruise Ship Engine," "High Voltage Power Line," "Giant Telescope," "2,000-Foot Tower," "Alaska Oil Pipeline," "Bridge Quick Fix" and "Mississippi River Fix."

Street Date: June 16, 2009
Pre-Order Date: May 12, 2009
Suggested Retail Price: $39.98
Run Time: Approx. 460 Mins.

National Geographic Entertainment (NGE) was established in 2007, combining into a single operating group National Geographic's Cinema Ventures, Feature Films, Kids Entertainment, Home Entertainment and Music & Radio business units. NGE is part of National Geographic Global Media (NGGM), also formed in 2007, bringing together all of National Geographic's editorial platforms to streamline collaboration and further support the Society's mission. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," National Geographic works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 325 million people worldwide each month through magazines, books, digital media, television, radio, music and film. It funds more than 250 scientific research, exploration and conservation projects each year and supports an education program combating geography illiteracy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TELEVISION APPOINTS AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER MARK WILD DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2009-03-03

WASHINGTON (March 3, 2009)—National Geographic Television (NGT) President Michael Rosenfeld announced today the hire of key industry figure Mark Wild as director of international development. Based in London, Wild will oversee development of international coproductions and partnerships for NGT. In this role he will develop television specials and series with independent producers based outside North America, and work with global broadcast partners to create commissions that meet their programming needs. He will report to Maryanne Culpepper, executive vice president, editorial and new business development.

"Mark's extensive experience in television and film production, combined with his love for exploration, will be extremely beneficial to NGT as we build strong partnerships globally while expanding production both domestically and internationally," said Rosenfeld. "With Mark in place, we are well positioned to create lasting relationships with our broadcast partners while bringing them new talent and new stories based on local knowledge and their specific programming needs."

Previously, Wild served as director of production and development for Animal Planet International and was responsible for the network's series "Meerkat Manor," which won the Panda Award for most popular program at Wildscreen 2008. He also served as commissioning editor at Animal Planet, where he was responsible for approximately 160 hours of unique programming throughout the U.K., Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America regions — including series such as "Going Ape," "Farm Life" and "Creatures Like Us," as well as stand-alones such as "Russian Tiger" and "Daniel and Our Cats."

"I enjoy working with interesting people, creating compelling stories and bringing insight to the world around us, so I am very excited to translate my passion for nature and adventure into compelling programming for National Geographic," said Wild. "I look forward to creating culturally diverse content for broadcasters and to use this powerful medium to continue inspiring people to care about the planet."

An accomplished explorer and documentary filmmaker, Wild has received numerous accolades for his documentaries. His long list of films includes "Temple of the Tigers," "Tiger Zero," "Gorilla, Gorilla," "Ocean Voyagers," which won the Nature Award at the Jules Verne Festival in 2008, and "Crime Scene Wild," which won the Best Environment Program award at the 2007 Jackson Hole Festival.

About National Geographic Television
National Geographic Television (NGT) is the documentary TV production arm of the National Geographic Society (NGS), known around the world for its remarkable visuals and compelling stories. NGS is one of the largest global scientific and educational organizations, supporting field science on every continent and providing NGT with unparalleled access to developing stories around the world. In 1963 NGT broke ground by broadcasting on American network television the first moving pictures from the summit of Everest. Since then, NGT has continued to push technology to its limits to bring great stories to television audiences worldwide. With 129 Emmy Awards and nearly 1,000 other industry accolades, NGT programming can be seen globally on the National Geographic Channel, as well as terrestrial and other cable and satellite broadcasters worldwide through international sales by National Geographic Television International, and on U.S. public television stations.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC VENTURES ACROSS LAND, SEA AND SPACE WITH NEW VIDEO RELEASES IN STANDARD DEFINITION AND BLU-RAY FORMAT

2009-02-18

WASHINGTON (Feb. 18, 2009)—Viewers can now observe the majesty of the giant blue whale up close, journey through the vast openness of space to remote galaxies, join seafaring explorers as they chase down pirate treasure and witness the intense struggles of travelers locked up abroad with seven new programs from National Geographic Home Entertainment, available on shopNGvideos.com, in stores where videos are sold or by calling (866) 280-3460.

Packed with special features from National Geographic's rich reserve of film, photographic, cartographic and editorial content, each DVD will appeal to fans of the original programs on the National Geographic Channel and first-time viewers. Ranging in subject matter from science and space, nature and wildlife, and culture and current events, National Geographic's latest offerings include:

"The Pirate Code: Real Pirates"
With few directions aside from a survivor's testimony and a cryptic clue, salvage expert Barry Clifford embarks on the search of a lifetime to uncover the nearly 300-year-old wreck site of the Whydah Galley and its four-and-a-half tons of treasure. The film brings to life Black Sam Bellamy — a legend during the Golden Age of Piracy — and follows one man's quest to resurrect Black Sam's ship from its watery grave.

Street Date: Feb. 17, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 60 mins.

"Guns In America"
National Geographic tells the story of America's connection with guns through the eyes of its citizens. From gangs to law enforcement to gun hobbyists to a young mother, this documentary explores the lives of people with guns.

Street Date: Feb. 24, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 50 mins.

"Grand Canyon"
It hosts nearly 5 million tourists a year, but visitors see only a tiny fraction of the Grand Canyon's true beauty. Some of its backcountry has almost never felt the tread of a human foot. Even scientists know precious little about the canyon's 91 mammal species and more than 350 types of birds, its vegetation, and how and when it was formed. National Geographic joins a rare scientific expedition to explore the canyon's entire 277-mile length. Explore the canyon's geological history, study the microscopic colonies of vegetation that survive where no other plant can and examine its many unique creatures to unlock some of the mysteries of this wonder of the world.

Street Date: March 10, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 50 mins.

"Monster Black Holes"
Travel to the edge of space and beyond to discover nature's ultimate abyss — black holes. Join scientists as they piece together the complex dynamics of a black hole's birth and examine their growth to massive proportions that dominate the centers of galaxies. Journey into the heart of a black hole, explore what happens to matter when it falls into a black hole, and discover how black holes generate energy and shape the universe around them.

Street Date: March 17, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 50 mins.

"Locked Up Abroad Collection"
Watch true stories of people who have ended up miles from home, in a foreign land and in a situation beyond their worst nightmares. From travelers who fell foul of the law and found themselves behind bars to an adventurer who strayed too far off the beaten track and found himself hostage, "Locked Up Abroad" recounts their intense moments and struggles during captivity and tells the amazing tales of how they regained their freedom. The series features 13 episodes and stories from over 10 countries.

Street Date: March 24, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $39.98
Run Time: Approx. 550 mins.

"Kingdom of the Blue Whale"
While blue whales are the largest animals to ever live on Earth, they are also one of the most difficult to track. Join some of the world's eminent blue whale scientists as they embark on a revolutionary mission to identify and tag California blue whales as they migrate to a spot known as the Costa Rica Dome. This incredible voyage yields unforgettable new footage and insight into these amazing creatures' lives. Available on high-definition blu-ray disc.

Street Date: March 31, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Feb. 24, 2009
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98 (SD); $28.99 (BD)
Run Time: Approx. 90 mins.

"Journey to the Edge of the Universe"
National Geographic presents the first accurate non-stop voyage from Earth to the edge of the universe using a single, unbroken shot through the use of spectacular CGI technology. Building on images taken from the Hubble telescope, "Journey to the Edge of the Universe" explores the science and history behind the distant celestial bodies in the solar system. This spectacular, epic voyage across the cosmos takes us from Earth, past the moon and our neighboring planets, to the nearest stars, nebulae and galaxies beyond — to the edge of the universe itself. Available on high-definition blu-ray disc.

Street Date: March 31, 2009
Pre-Order Date: Feb. 24, 2009
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98 (SD); $28.99 (BD)
Run Time: Approx. 90 mins.

National Geographic Entertainment (NGE) was established in 2007, combining into a single operating group National Geographic's Cinema Ventures, Feature Films, Kids Entertainment, Home Entertainment and Music & Radio business units. NGE is part of National Geographic Global Media (NGGM), also formed in 2007, bringing together all of National Geographic's editorial platforms to streamline collaboration and further support the Society's mission. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," National Geographic works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 325 million people worldwide each month through magazines, books, digital media, television, radio, music and film. It funds more than 250 scientific research, exploration and conservation projects each year and supports an education program combating geography illiteracy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S MAMA MIRABELLE TO BRING HER HOME MOVIES TO SPROUT® 7 DAYS A WEEK, BEGINNING JAN. 26

2009-01-22

Philadelphia/Washington - Jan. 21, 2009 - PBS KIDS Sprout®, the first 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers, will debut Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies, the award-winning preschool series from National Geographic Kids Entertainment, on Monday, Jan. 26, at 3:15 p.m. ET, as part of its popular afternoon block, The Sprout Sharing Show.

Starring Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty) as the voice of Mama, this warm-hearted, high-spirited show about a sassy, soulful elephant host and the young animal characters she cares for on the African savanna combines an animated world that preschoolers will want to explore with stunning wildlife movies from the National Geographic and BBC archives.

Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies features a cast of animated baby animal characters, including Mama's inquisitive elephant calf, Max; a know-it-all cheetah named Bo; a sweet zebra named Karla; and three rambunctious monkey brothers, Kip, Flip and Chip. The animals might not look like they have much in common on the outside, but on the inside they all share a curiosity about themselves and the world they live in.

In each episode, the animals gather around the maternal Mama Mirabelle to watch home videos of themselves and other amazing creatures of the natural world. Whatever the young animals want to know — whether it's why they need to sleep at night, why they can't go to the watering hole by themselves, or when it's okay to trumpet at full blast — Mama helps them find answers by showing them footage from the collection of wildlife movies she has gathered along her travels.

Using live-action footage from the National Geographic and BBC archives, the show illuminates the real world for preschoolers, helps them find their place in it and provides insight into animal customs and behaviors. The series also features original African- and world-inspired music, including songs performed by Vanessa Williams.

Games and coloring pages for Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies will be available at SproutOnline.com. Mama Mirabelle-themed soft-cover books and other related products are available at retail stores nationwide and at www.shop.nationalgeographic.com.

Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies is a co-production of National Geographic Kids Entertainment, BBC/CBeebies and King Rollo Films.

For additional information on Sprout programs or schedules, visit SproutOnline.com. To find out where Sprout is available in your area, call 1.866.9.SPROUT.

High-resolution images are available in the media gallery at http://ftp.nationalgeographic.com/pressroom/mama_mirabelle (username: press; password: press).

About Sprout®
PBS KIDS Sprout, the first 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers, was created as a partnership among Comcast Corporation, HIT Entertainment, PBS and Sesame Workshop. Since debuting its video on demand (VOD) service in April 2005, Sprout has become the #1 On Demand service for younger children, generating over half a billion views. The 24-hour digital channel, which launched in September 2005 along with the website (SproutOnline.com), is the only channel that follows the day of a child from breakfast to bedtime with its distinctive programming. Currently, Sprout is available in 47 million unique households.

The network's program lineup of gold-standard, curriculum-based children's shows includes Sesame Street®, Bob the Builder™, Barney & Friends™, Thomas & Friends™, Angelina Ballerina™, Caillou®, The Berenstain Bears™, Dragon Tales™, Pingu™, Make Way For Noddy™, The Hoobs™, Fifi and the Flowertots™ and more.

About National Geographic Kids Entertainment
National Geographic Kids Entertainment is an independent production and U.S. distribution entity of National Geographic Ventures. Established in 2003, NGKE brings the renowned National Geographic brand to children's entertainment through the development, production and distribution of quality, animated and live-action, entertainment-driven programming that excites kids to explore their world. NGKE will work with all major broadcast outlets in the United States and abroad. For more information about National Geographic, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

'WILD CHRONICLES' SEASON 4 PREMIERES IN HIGH DEFINITION ON PUBLIC TELEVISION SUPPORTED BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MISSION PROGRAMS

2008-12-05

WASHINGTON (Dec. 5, 2008)—National Geographic Digital Studio Executive Vice President Mark Bauman announced today that season four of the award-winning public television series "Wild Chronicles" will premiere Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at 7:30 pm (check local listings). More vivid than ever in High Definition (HD), "Wild Chronicles" tells the story of our planet from the vantage of those who have traversed its most remote passages, solved its scientific mysteries and advocated for its protection. The stories focus on the work of researchers and explorers — many supported by National Geographic grants — and cover natural history, science, adventure, culture, conservation and the environment. Also new for season four, all episodes will follow a titled theme that will tie individual show segments together, resulting in a distinct storyline for each episode.

"Wild Chronicles," seen in nearly 84 percent of USTVHH on public television, fills an important gap in commercial network programming by offering rare access to and in-depth reporting on the state of the natural world.

Presented by WLIW21 in association with WNET.ORG, "Wild Chronicles" is made possible by National Geographic Mission Programs, the science and education arm of the National Geographic Society. The weekly, half-hour, magazine-style show is hosted by National Geographic's Boyd Matson, also host of the "National Geographic Weekend" radio program. Matson's compelling storytelling connects viewers to the pulse of the planet while focusing on researchers and explorers in the field, working to study, protect and preserve the Earth.

"HD technology was made for the visually stunning television and filmmaking that National Geographic is known for," said Bauman. "Teaming with WLIW21 to present season four of 'Wild Chronicles' in HD will expose viewers to the natural and scientific world in ways they've never seen before. New stories of adventure and exploration will make viewers feel as if they've been transported from their living room to the field to work alongside the researchers, scientists and explorers whom 'Wild Chronicles' covers."

Episode one, titled "Living with Us," opens the new season with a report from the Santa Monica Mountains BioBlitz, a 24-hour dash organized by the National Geographic Society and the National Park Service to find, identify and learn about as many plant and animal species in the park as possible; an up-close view of the miniature world of harvester ants; a look at a centuries-old agricultural tradition in Spain that protects livestock from predatory wolves; and a visit to a primate sanctuary in Florida where unwanted pet monkeys get a second lease on life.

Future episodes explore a green Sahara with National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Paul Sereno; take viewers to Argentina for a special report on Magellanic penguins; examine the results of a worldwide ocean census; and report on 2008 National Geographic Emerging Explorer Tsetsegee Munkhbayar's environmental conservation work in Mongolia. National Geographic's Crittercam® team also will contribute, telling nature's stories from an animal's perspective.

Combining decades of field experience to generate a sophisticated world view that goes beyond the typical nature program, the "Wild Chronicles" team plans 26 episodes for season four. The series continues under the leadership and vision of executive producer Martha Conboy. Other team members are Alison Barrat, series producer; April Chabries, series producer; Gayle Young, senior writer; Jamie Pickell, senior editor; Angie Edinger, editor; Jason Orfanon, producer; Adam Enatsky, assistant editor/graphics; Laura Boyd, coordinating producer; Jennifer Shoemaker, coordinating producer; Matthew Finaylson, production coordinator; and Christie Welsh, production coordinator.

"Wild Chronicles" received two 2007 CINE Special Jury Awards in the Professional Telecast: Non-Fiction Division for Children's Programs and On-Air Opens & Promotions. One 2007 CINE Golden Eagle was earned in the Professional Telecast: Non-Fiction Division for Children's Programs; five CINE Golden Eagles were earned in 2006 in the Professional Telecast: Non-Fiction Division for Children's Programs (spring and fall); On-Air Opens & Promotions; Environment and Natural Science — Wild Chronicles/Crittercam; and Environment and Natural Science — Wild Chronicles/Narwhal Teeth. In addition to being named a 2007 Parents' Choice Award winner, "Wild Chronicles" was named Best Television Series Under $250,000 Budget at the 2007 International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF) and Grand Prize winner at the 2006 Ekotop film festival.

"Wild Chronicles" season four is broadcast in Standard Definition where HD is not available. Check local listings.

Viewers also can keep up with the latest nature and science news by downloading podcasts of "Wild Chronicles" at www.nationalgeographic.com/podcasts.

About National Geographic
The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 325 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

About WLIW21
WLIW21, a WNET.ORG station, is an innovator in broadcasting, production and distribution for public television. A leading producer of fundraising programming for PBS, WLIW21 brings U.S. audiences the popular "Visions" aerial series, cultural documentaries, self-help and performance specials. WLIW21's groundbreaking independent distribution model brings U.S. audiences the new, international newscast "Worldfocus," as well as the weekly series "Consuelo Mack WealthTrack," "Wild Chronicles" and "Moment of Luxury." WLIW21 also presents nationally the children's series "Miffy and Friends." WLIW21 serves the entire New York City metro area and earns the distinction of third most-watched in the country. The station is a destination for viewers of all ages, featuring public television favorites, enhanced by a rich local public affairs lineup, and innovative educational and multimedia projects. Two digital channels, WLIW Create and WLIW World, offer more public television favorites 24/7. For more information, visit wliw.org.

NOVA AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TELEVISION, TWO OF WORLD'S PREMIER TV SCIENCE PRODUCTION UNITS, EMBARK ON LONG-TERM COLLABORATION

2008-10-09

WASHINGTON/BOSTON (Oct. 13, 2008)—National Geographic Television (NGT) and NOVA today announced a multiyear, multiprogram editorial collaboration for a series of new programs to be broadcast on NOVA, the PBS signature science series. National Geographic Television International is the distributor internationally.

Programs currently in development for the NOVA/National Geographic co-branded partnership include two hour-long documentary programs, "Extreme Ice" and "Rat Invasion" (working titles). Both are due to deliver in 2009.

"Extreme Ice" focuses on climate change shown through time-lapse cameras set by internationally acclaimed photojournalist James Balog, who has placed equipment in more than two dozen glacial locations around the world in order to assess the impact of global warming. Cameras shoot once an hour during daylight. The endeavor will build an archive of some 300,000 images over two years and is one of the most comprehensive photographic studies undertaken on shrinking glaciers and rising sea levels.

"Rat Invasion" goes to the frontlines in the remote Indian state of Mizoram, where a massive invasion of rats every 48 years triggers widespread destruction, famine and even civil war. Scientists link the plague to the flowering of a type of bamboo. This year the flowers are back, and so are millions of rats. An international team of rat ecologists has gathered in northeastern India to try out the latest techniques to combat the invasion and save Mizoram.

NGT and WGBH/NOVA recently worked together on two other successful projects for PBS: "Great Inca Rebellion" (June 26, 2007) and "Ape Genius" (Feb. 19, 2007). Both hour-long Specials were executive produced by NGT's John Bredar and NOVA's Paula Apsell. They 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 Michael Rosenfeld, president, 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, senior executive producer of NOVA and director of the WGBH/NOVA Science Unit, said of the collaboration, "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 marketplace."

NOVA
For 35 years, NOVA has produced in-depth science programming and continues to uphold a longstanding reputation for providing unprecedented access to critical science stories including the first test tube baby, the eradication of smallpox, and the string theory. It is television's most-watched primetime science series; in the U.S. alone, the popular public television series reaches an average of 5 million viewers weekly. NOVA documentaries regularly reach tens of millions of viewers across the world and are broadcast by over 75 separate channels, covering more than 150 countries. Over the years, NOVA has garnered almost every industry award, including 25 Emmy Awards, eight George Foster Peabody Awards, and nine Alfred duPont-Columbia University Awards, the television equivalent of a Pulitzer Prize. The series is produced for PBS by the WGBH Science Unit at WGBH in Boston.

Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. NOVA is closed captioned for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers and described for people who are blind or visually impaired by the Media Access Group at WGBH. The descriptive narration is available on the SAP channel or stereo TV and VCRs. NOVA programs are available on DVD wherever videos are sold. To order direct from WGBH Boston Video, visit shop.wgbh.org or call (800) 949-8670.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TELEVISION
National Geographic Television (NGT) is the documentary TV production arm of the National Geographic Society (NGS), known around the world for its remarkable visuals and compelling stories. NGS is one of the largest global scientific and educational organizations, supporting field science on every continent. In 1963 NGT broke ground by broadcasting on
American network television the first moving pictures from the summit of Everest. Since then, NGT has continued to push technology to its limits to bring great stories to television audiences worldwide. With over 130 Emmy Awards and nearly 1,000 other industry accolades, NGT programming can be seen globally on the National Geographic Channel, as well as terrestrial and other cable and satellite broadcasters worldwide through international sales by National Geographic Television International, and on U.S. public television stations. The National Geographic Channel is received by more than 270 million households in 34 languages in 166 countries.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TELEVISION INTERNATIONAL
National Geographic Television International (NGTI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Geographic Ventures, the commercial arm of the National Geographic Society. Based in London, NGTI currently licenses more than 1,600 programme titles to broadcasters around the globe, across a diverse and ever-growing range of genres, including Natural History, Civilisations & History, Science, People & Places, Adventure, Current Affairs/Society and Kids. In addition to licensing programmes produced by National Geographic Television, NGTI also licenses programmes made by some of the world's leading independent producers.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERS WITH LOCAL ZOOS FOR WORLD ANIMAL DAY PROMOTION

2008-09-23

WASHINGTON (Sept. 23, 2008)—National Geographic Kids Entertainment has partnered with six local zoos for a national World Animal Day promotion centered on its animated preschool property "Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies," currently airing on PBS Kids!. Fisher-Price Inc., the largest infant and preschool toy manufacturer and a subsidiary of Mattel Inc., has signed on as the event's primary sponsor.

The promotion, geared toward young children and their caregivers, will take place in late September and early to mid-October, directed toward World Animal Day on Saturday, Oct. 4. Each zoo event will lead off with "Photo Safari Camp," a hands-on workshop with award-winning National Geographic photographers, which will introduce young children to photography and send them "on assignment" with a Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Digital Camera to observe Mama Mirabelle's animal friends at the zoo. The photo camp will be followed by premiere screenings of "Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies"; a 30-minute movement program presented by My Gym, with animal themes and music rhythms from around the world; art projects; and a birthday celebration hosted by Hefty Zoo Pals, with a birthday cake and sing-along.

"At National Geographic, we're always looking for fun, interesting ways to connect to new audiences and like-minded partners. The Mama Mirabelle World Animal Day promotion is a great way to get kids outdoors, exploring their natural world, an idea that's central to the 'Mama Mirabelle' program," said Darren Metzger, director, franchise marketing, for National Geographic Kids Entertainment.

Scheduled events include:

Sept. 27: Bronx Zoo (Bronx, N.Y.), with photographer Mark Moffett
Sept. 28: Brookfield Zoo (Chicago), with photographer Annie Griffiths Belt
Oct. 4: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (Tacoma, Wash.), with photographer Kevin Horan
Oct. 4: Lowry Park Zoo (Tampa, Fla.), with photographer Annie Griffiths Belt
Oct. 11: San Francisco Zoo, with photographer Jim Sugar
Oct. 11: Dallas Zoo, with photographer Darlyne Murawski

The World Animal Day promotions will serve as a launching pad for "Mama Mirabelle's My Favorite Animal" photo contest, set to go live on the Mama Mirabelle Web site Saturday, Sept. 27. Families are encouraged to take photos of their favorite animals and upload them to www.mamamirabelle.com for a chance to win prize packs from National Geographic and Fisher-Price.

Additional sponsors offering financial and in-kind support include Hefty® Zoo Pals®; My Gym Enterprises Inc.; PNY Technologies; Ritz Camera Centers Inc.; Parenting Magazine, a publication of Bonnier Corporation; KIWI Magazine, a May Media publication; and the Costa Rica Tourism Board.

"Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies" stars Vanessa Williams ("Ugly Betty") as the voice of Mama Mirabelle and airs on PBS Kids! (check local listings for airdates and times). The weekly half-hour show helps preschoolers learn about themselves and the world around them through the help of Mama and the young animals in her charge on the African savanna. Visit www.mamamirabelle.com for interactive games, videos, coloring pages and postcards. Episodes from season one are now available on DVD at stores where videos are sold, and two softcover books, "Anybody Home?" and "Hide and Seek," are available online and at area bookstores.

National Geographic Kids Entertainment is an independent production and U.S. distribution entity of National Geographic Ventures. Established in 2003, NGKE brings the renowned National Geographic brand to children's entertainment through the development, production and distribution of quality animated and live-action, entertainment-driven programming that excites kids to explore their world. NGKE will work with all major broadcast outlets in the United States and abroad. For more information about National Geographic, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

Fisher-Price Inc., a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. (NYSE:MAT), located in East Aurora, N.Y., is the leading brand of infant and preschool toys in the world. The Company has a 77-year legacy of high-quality toys that enhance early childhood development. Its often-emulated Play Laboratory was the first child research center of its kind in the toy industry, allowing researchers to observe the way children play and how play benefits their development. Some of the Company's best-known "classic" brands include Little People®, Power Wheels® and View-Master®. Fisher-Price is also a leading developer of baby gear products (infant swings, bouncers, high chairs, nursery monitors), as well as a wide array of character-based toys inspired by high quality children's programming such as Sesame Street®, Dora the Explorer™ and Winnie the Pooh. The Company's Web site, www.fisher-price.com, provides valuable information and resources to parents.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BRINGS REPTILE EXPERT BRADY BARR'S 'DANGEROUS ENCOUNTERS' TO DVD FOR FIRST TIME

2008-09-09

WASHINGTON (Sept. 9, 2008)—After much anticipation, National Geographic brings the adventures of Brady Barr, intrepid reptile expert and host of the popular "Dangerous Encounters" series on National Geographic Channel, to DVD Tuesday, Sept. 23, for $29.95 SRP. "Best of Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr" will be available in stores where DVDs are sold, online at shopngvideos.com or by calling (800) 627-5162.

"Dangerous Encounters" follows herpetologist Barr as he travels around the globe on a series of death-defying, hair-raising expeditions to study reptiles and other creatures in their native habitats. In doing so, Barr hopes to better understand what these animals need to survive in the wild.

The two-disc set features some of Barr's most dangerous moments in four memorable episodes:

"Snake Bite" chronicles Barr's research expedition to Malaysia, where he encounters a 12-foot reticulated python that quickly wraps Barr in its powerful coils and bites him repeatedly. What compelled the snake to react so violently? Barr seeks the answer.
Finely adapted and deadly efficient, an animal's bite can provide vital clues to what it eats, how it kills and how much force its jaws possess. In "Bite Force," Barr finds the ultimate bone crusher — a South African crocodile that holds the current bite force world record.
"Dens of Danger" follows Barr as he attempts to locate the dens of some of the world's most elusive or deadly animals, including the Chinese alligator, the American black bear, South African snakes and sharks that thrive off the coastline of Maui.
Often dangerous and unpredictable, hippos are challenging to study in the wild. In "Undercover Hippo," Barr goes to extreme lengths to extract sweat from a wild hippo, as he dons a custom 200-pound Kevlar suit covered in mud and hippo dung to blend in with the animals. Will he be unmasked before he completes his mission?

"Dangerous Encounters" is a production of National Geographic Television for National Geographic Channel. New episodes will be premiering on NGC in early 2009. More information can be found at www.natgeotv.com/dangerousencounters.

John Mernit, Michael Rosenfeld and David Royle serve as executive producers. Brian Armstrong, Patty Krazier and Dana Kemp are producer/writers. The series is edited by Julie Ann Naff and Gale Rosner Sargent. Brady Barr serves as creative director and narrator.

National Geographic Entertainment (NGE) was established in 2007, combining into a single operating group National Geographic's Cinema Ventures, Feature Films, Kids Entertainment, Home Entertainment and Music & Radio business units. NGE is part of National Geographic Global Media (NGGM), also formed in 2007, bringing together all of National Geographic's editorial platforms to streamline collaboration and further support the Society's mission. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," National Geographic works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 325 million people worldwide each month through magazines, books, digital media, television, radio, music, film, school publishing programs and exhibits. It funds more than 250 scientific research, exploration and conservation projects each year and supports an education program combating geography illiteracy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel (NGC) is a joint venture between National Geographic Ventures (NGV) and Fox Cable Networks (FCN). Since launching in January 2001, NGC initially earned some of the fastest distribution growth in the history of cable and more recently the fastest ratings growth in television. The network celebrated its fifth anniversary January 2006 with the launch of NGC HD, which provides the spectacular imagery that National Geographic is known for in stunning high definition. NGC has carriage with all of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available to nearly 68 million homes. For more information, please visit www.natgeotv.com.

"Best of Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr"

Street Date: Sept. 23, 2008
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $29.95 (DVD)
Run Time: 200 Minutes (2 Discs)

NEW NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SPECIAL EXPOSES DANGERS OF TOO MUCH STRESS

2008-07-14

WASHINGTON (July 12, 2008)—Stress. In the beginning it saved our lives. It's what made us run from predators and enabled us to take down prey. Today, humans are turning on that same life-saving stress response to cope with 30-year mortgages, four-dollar-a-gallon gas, difficult bosses and traffic jams — and we can't seem to turn it off. As a result, we are constantly marinating in corrosive hormones triggered by the stress response.

Now, scientists are showing just how measurable and dangerous prolonged exposure to stress can be. Stanford University neurobiologist, MacArthur "Genius Grant" recipient and renowned author Robert Sapolsky and National Geographic reveal new answers to why and how stress is killing us in "Killer Stress: A National Geographic Special." This co-production of National Geographic Television and Stanford University, produced exclusively for public television, premieres Sept. 24, 2008, only on PBS, at 8 p.m. ET (check local listings).

Throughout the film, discoveries occur in an extraordinary range of places: with baboon troops on the plains of East Africa, in office cubes of government bureaucrats in London and in neuroscience labs at the nation's leading research universities. In each location, scientists are discovering how stress works and how lethal it can be. Years of ground-breaking research by multiple scientists are revealing surprising facts about the impact of stress: It can shrink our brains, add fat to our bellies, even unravel our chromosomes. Yet, understanding how stress works can help us figure out ways to combat it and how to live a life free of this present-day plague.

For three decades, Sapolsky has been advancing our understanding of stress, in particular how our social standing can make us more or less susceptible. Along with scientists from the University of North Carolina, the University of London, Rockefeller University and the University of California, San Francisco, Sapolsky is part of a group of cutting-edge researchers whose collective work now gives stress a new relevance.

Throughout the film, Sapolsky weaves the grim reality of the impact of chronic stress with his wry observations about life. Describing one of his most intriguing early findings, he says, "Chronic stress could do something as unsubtle and grotesque as kill some of your brain cells."

"The reality is I am unbelievably stressed and Type A and poorly coping, and why else would I study this stuff 80 hours a week? No doubt everything I advise is going to lose all its credibility if I keel over dead from a heart attack in my early 50s. I am not good at dealing with stress. But one thing that works to my advantage is I love my work, I love every aspect of it," he says.

The film is based partly on Sapolsky's best-selling book "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers: Stress Disease and Coping." In addition to his professorship at Stanford, Sapolsky is a research associate with the Institute of Primate Research at the National Museum of Kenya. He is also the author of "A Primate's Memoir" and "The Trouble with Testosterone," a Los Angeles Times Book Award finalist. Sapolsky's work has been published in Science, Lancet and Journal of Neuroscience, and he has contributed articles to Discover, The New Yorker and Men's Health. He lives with his family in San Francisco.

Senior executive producer of "Killer Stress: A National Geographic Special" is John Bredar, and the producer/writer is John Heminway. Executive producer from Stanford University is Randy Bean; co-executive producer is William Free.

National Geographic Television (NGT) is the documentary TV production arm of the National Geographic Society, known around the world for its remarkable visuals and compelling stories. The Society is one of the largest global scientific and educational organizations, supporting field science on every continent. In 1965 NGT broke ground by broadcasting on American network television the first moving pictures from the summit of Everest. Since then, NGT has continued to push technology to its limits to bring great stories to television audiences worldwide. With 129 Emmy Awards and nearly 1,000 other industry accolades, NGT programming can be seen globally on the National Geographic Channel, as well as terrestrial and other cable and satellite broadcasters worldwide through international sales by National Geographic Television International, and on U.S. public television stations. The National Geographic Channel is received by more than 250 million households in 34 languages in 166 countries.

PBS, headquartered in Alexandria, Va., is a private nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation's 349 public television stations. Serving nearly 100 million each week, PBS enriches the lives of all Americans through quality programs and education services on noncommercial television, the Internet and other media. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org.

Stanford University, founded in 1885, is recognized as one of the world's leading research and teaching institutions. The university, located in Palo Alto, Calif., has attracted an accomplished faculty that includes 16 Nobel Prize winners, four Pulitzer Prize recipients and 23 MacArthur Fellows. Because of the academic excellence of its more than 1,800 tenure-line faculty members, Stanford is uniquely positioned to pursue interdisciplinary solutions to the world's most daunting problems. Stanford's areas of excellence range across disciplines, in the humanities, social sciences and engineering, as well as the professions of business, education, law and medicine. Stanford's 8,186 graduate students and 6,759 undergraduate students are drawn from an international pool of young scholars.

The Stanford-National Geographic Television co-production partnership is a collaboration between a major research university and a distinguished production and educational institution to create original and compelling programming in the areas of science and technology for television audiences.

'MAMA MIRABELLE'S HOME MOVIES' RETURNS FOR SECOND SEASON OF EXCITING, WARM-HEARTED ADVENTURES SEPT. 6 ON PBS KIDS!

2008-07-09

WASHINGTON (July 9, 2008) --"Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies," from National Geographic Kids Entertainment, returns for a second season on PBS Kids! the weekend of Sept. 6-7, when our favorite animal "kids" will take us on new adventures. The weekly half-hour show, starring Vanessa Williams ("Ugly Betty") as the voice of Mama Mirabelle, helps preschoolers learn about themselves and the world around them with the help of Mama and the young animals in her charge on the African savanna.

Kids can get more "Mama" this fall with the Aug. 26 Random House publication of two new 8"x 8" soft-cover TV-tie-in book titles, "Anybody Home?" and "Hide and Seek." Additionally, the first season of "Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies'" will be released on DVD Sept. 23, for $19.98 SRP, distributed by Warner Home Video. The DVD will be available in stores where DVDs are sold, online at shopngvideos.com or by calling (800) 627-5162. Supplemental bonus features include printable activities, a music video and three interactive "Monkey Minutes," in which Mama Mirabelle's monkey friends, Kip, Flip and Chip, lead viewers in a lively game of charades.

"Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies" combines an animated world that preschoolers will want to explore with stunning wildlife movies from the National Geographic and BBC's award-winning archives. Launched in September 2007 on PBS KIDS!, the series received numerous accolades during its first season. It recently received an Emmy Award nomination and has been recognized with a 2008 Parents' Choice Award. Family Fun magazine calls the series' live-action elements "spectacular," while Common Sense Media says the series "brings home important life lessons." ABC calls the show "charming and remarkable."

"Kids have an incredible sense of wonder about the world, and we try to convey that same sense of awe and fascination with one's surroundings through Mama Mirabelle and her young animal friends," said Executive Producer Donna Friedman Meir. "We think the reason why so many preschoolers, parents and caregivers have embraced the series is that it looks at the world from a preschooler's point of view and makes something they love — animals — so relevant to them and their everyday lives. With the release of our new DVD, book series and online offerings, we hope to create an even stronger connection between preschoolers and these wonderfully endearing characters."

This fall's episodes include:

Episode 121: "Curtain Up!" (Sept. 6-7)
When the kids decide to put on a show, Mama shows them a series of movies to remind them that everyone has their own unique talent.

"Listen Up!"
Karla and Bo are having a disagreement about an animal that they have just seen. Bo claims it was some kind of giraffe, and Karla is sure that it was a zebra. Mama shows them that they both might be right.

Episode 122: "Rainy Day Blues" (Sept. 13-14)
A rainy day on the savanna produces some long faces, until Mama helps pass the time by introducing the gang to a place that's really rainy: the South American rain forest!

"Take Me to the Water"
Jacques, a dashing old friend of Mama's, is coming to the savanna for a visit. There is much anticipation of his arrival, but when he turns out to be a walrus, the kids are underwhelmed. Mama shows them they shouldn't be so quick to judge based only on appearance.

Episode 123: "Find Your Way Home" (Sept. 20-21)
After a long hike to watch a wildebeest migration, Bo believes the group must be lost. Mama shows Bo, Karla and Max the many ways in which animals are able to find their way home.

"The Nose Knows"
Max's claim that he smells something familiar results in a discussion about different animal noses and smelling abilities.

Episode 124: "Jumbled Jungle" (Sept. 27-28)
When an unfortunate accident causes Mama and the kids to scrap their plans for a "film festival," the kids take the lemons and make lemonade.

"Alone Together"
When Bo expresses his desire to be by himself for a while, Max is hurt. Mama shows us that sometimes friends just need a little time.

Episode 116: "Why Zebras Can't Fly" (Oct. 4-5)
Karla envies the impressive flight skills of her new friend, a Peregrine falcon named Perry. With Mama's help, Karla learns why some animals can fly and why others cannot.

"Super- Duper Savanna Animals"
Bo, Karla and Max are playing their favorite pretend game — savannah superheroes — and they're on the lookout for new members to add to the team. When a rhino beetle shows up, they quickly learn that while being the biggest, the strongest or the fastest is impressive, even the smallest of us can be powerful.

Episode 125: "Muddy Wonderland" (Oct. 11-12)
When the rainy season arrives on the savanna, Mama shows the kids the fun — and value — of a good mud bath.

"Do You See What I See?"
A game of "Do you see what I see?" initiates a discussion of how animals view things differently.

Episode 126: "Have You Heard?" (Oct. 18-19)
When the kids hear conflicting rumors about the new kid in town, Mama shows them it's not just what you hear, but what you do with what you hear.

"This is Mama's World"
It's Mama's birthday, and Max, Bo and Karla want to give her the perfect present. Mama's nostalgia about her travels gives them an idea: a movie time for Mama celebrating all the different parts of the world she's visited.

National Geographic Kids Entertainment is an independent production and U.S. distribution entity of National Geographic Ventures. Established in 2003, NGKE brings the renowned National Geographic brand to children's entertainment through the development, production and distribution of quality animated and live-action, entertainment-driven programming that excites kids to explore their world. NGKE will work with all major broadcast outlets in the United States and abroad. For more information about National Geographic, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC GOES INSIDE ONE OF NATION'S LARGEST CANINE RESCUE FACILITIES IN NEW 'DOGTOWN' SERIES, NOW ON DVD

2008-07-08

WASHINGTON (July 8, 2008)—In the United States, between 3 million and 4 million unwanted pets are euthanized every year, but there is one place where man's best friend always has hope: Dogtown. One of the largest no-kill animal facilities in the country, Dogtown is located on 33,000 acres of Southern Utah canyon country. The sanctuary, run by Best Friends Animal Society, hosts hundreds of dogs from all around the country, along with cats, horses, rabbits, goats and other farm animals — about 2,000 animals at any one time. A staff of more than 60 oversees their every need — from medical attention to training and rehabilitation — with the eventual hope of finding the dogs a new, loving home.

The popular National Geographic Channel series based on the sanctuary is now available on DVD for $19.98 SRP in stores where DVDs are sold, online at shopngvideos.com or by calling (800) 627-5162.

Each episode of "DogTown" takes viewers on a journey inside the bustling grounds to meet the dogs and the skilled professionals dedicated to ensuring that even the toughest cases survive. Working from a state-of-the-art clinic, the highly trained staff provides medical care otherwise not accessible to typical veterinarians or pet owners. This expert group of caregivers has a single mission — to transform hopeless dogs into loving pets.

Abuse or neglect has turned some of these dogs into aggressive animals, some even with a history of violence, and their trip to Dogtown is their last chance for a better life. As many of the canine residents have been abandoned or rescued, the facility's dog trainers also deal with dogs that have severe behavioral issues and extreme fear of humans. Dogtown's staff strives to help the most disturbed pooches learn to interact socially with other animals and humans.

The DVD contains the first three episodes of the series: "Crisis Dogs," which chronicles the rescue and recovery of mistreated dogs from a Nebraska puppy mill; "Second Chances," which details the lengths to which Dogtown veterinarians go to diagnose and treat a dog with a massive brain tumor and another dog with biting issues; and "The Outsiders," which profiles Dogtown's work with three medically and behaviorally challenged dogs.

Supplemental features include:

Doggy updates
"Where Are They Now?" featurette
Profile of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

The second season of "DogTown" will premiere on the National Geographic Channel in September. For more information about the series, go to www.nationalgeographic.com.

"DogTown" is produced by National Geographic Television for the National Geographic Channel. For National Geographic Television, executive producer is Kim Woodard, series producer/writer is Darcy Dennett and editor is Cabot Philbrick. For the National Geographic Channel, executive producer is Chris Valentini and senior vice president, production and development, is Juliet Blake. Executive vice president of content is Steve Burns.

National Geographic Ventures (NGV) is a wholly owned, taxable subsidiary of National Geographic Society, one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the National Geographic Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. NGV includes National Geographic Television production and distribution, National Geographic Television International, National Geographic Films and National Geographic Cinema Ventures, Kids Entertainment, National Geographic Home Entertainment, Digital Media including Digital Motion (formerly the Film Library) and Nationalgeographic.com, as well as National Geographic Maps. NGV creates and distributes content across multi-platforms and media providing outlets for the hundreds of scientific and expedition-based grants awarded each year.

"DogTown"

Street Date:                     Available Now
Pre-Order Date:               Available Now
Suggested Retail Price:   $19.98
Feature Run Time:           165 Minutes

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DIVES INTO LOST WORLD OF MARINE REPTILES WITH 'SEA MONSTERS: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE' ON DVD JUNE 24

2008-06-25

"Spectacular..." - Matt Zoller Seitz, New York Times

"It's 'Finding Nemo' with a 'Wow' factor of 100." - Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

"A visually stunning affair..." - Mike Scott, New Orleans Times-Picayune

"...this gripping adventure narrative is undoubtedly as accurate as it is well-told." - Ted Fry, Seattle Times

WASHINGTON (June 24, 2008)—National Geographic's new DVD "Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure," available Tuesday, June 24, on DVD and Blu-Ray, brings to life the extraordinary marine reptiles of the dinosaur age — wondrous beasts that defy imagination. The standard-edition DVD, packaged in a limited-edition lenticular cover and supplemented with an interactive timeline, is available for $24.95. A Blu-Ray edition is available for $34.95 SRP. Both can be found in stores where DVDs are sold, online at shopngvideos.com or by calling (800) 627-5162.

"Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure," narrated by Tony Award-winning actor Liev Schreiber, with an original score by longtime musical collaborators Richard Evans, David Rhodes and Peter Gabriel, takes audiences on a remarkable journey into the often overlooked world of the "other dinosaurs," those reptiles that lived beneath the water. Funded in part through a grant from the National Science Foundation, the film delivers a vision of some of Earth's grandest ocean creatures.

"Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure" weaves together spectacular photorealistic animation with standout finds from paleontological digs around the world — treasures that shed light on the film's incredible cast of characters. The film follows a family of Dolichorhynchops, known informally as "Dollies," as they traverse ancient waters populated with saber-toothed fish, prehistoric sharks and giant squid. On their journey the Dollies encounter other extraordinary sea creatures: lizard-like reptiles called Platecarpus that swallowed their prey whole like snakes; Styxosaurus with necks nearly 20 feet long and paddle-like fins as large as an adult human; and at the top of the food chain, the monstrous Tylosaurus, a predator with no enemies.

"Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure" is a remarkable visual journey that also educates audiences on the "How do we know that?" side of paleontology. Do scientists need full skeletons to learn about these creatures? Not always, as we learn from shark teeth found throughout the central United States, proof that these modern-day hunters were thriving during the age of dinosaurs when Kansas was at the bottom of the sea. How do we know what these creatures ate, and what pursued them? The shapes of jaws and teeth provide dietary clues, and occasionally paleontologists are lucky enough to discover bones of one species inside the remains of another. In fact, one fossilized Xiphactinus, a 17-foot-long predatory fish, was found with an entire 6-foot fish inside — swallowed whole.

An audience and critics' favorite, the film has been awarded the Visual Effects Society's award for Special Venue Project and a Golden Reel award from the Motion Picture Sound Editors Association for Best Sound Editing - Special Venue.

The film can currently be seen on the giant screen and in digital theaters in 3-D at 70 theaters worldwide, including recently added engagements at Philadelphia's Franklin Institute, the Science Spectrum in Lubbock, Texas, the Proctors Theater in Schenectady, N.Y., and the Louisville Science Center in Louisville, Ky. Also available are "Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure" companion books for adults and young readers in standard, 3-D and pop-up formats; a video game licensed by Destination Software Incorporated, available in Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS™ and Wii™ formats; and a line of licensed plush toys, puzzles and apparel, available at www.nationalgeographic.com/store.

National Geographic Ventures (NGV) is a wholly owned, taxable subsidiary of National Geographic Society, one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the National Geographic Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. NGV includes National Geographic Television production and distribution, National Geographic Television International, National Geographic Films and National Geographic Cinema Ventures, Kids Entertainment, National Geographic Home Entertainment, Digital Media including Digital Motion (formerly the Film Library) and Nationalgeographic.com, as well as National Geographic Maps. NGV creates and distributes content across multi-platforms and media providing outlets for the hundreds of scientific and expedition-based grants awarded each year. For more information, go to www.nationalgeographic.com.

"Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure"
Street Date: June 24, 2008
Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $24.95 (DVD)/$34.95 (Blu-Ray)
Feature Run Time: 42 Minutes

DATES FOR STONEHENGE BURIALS SIGNIFY LONG USE AS CEMETERY

2008-05-29

WASHINGTON (May 29, 2008) - New radiocarbon dates of human cremation burials at England's Stonehenge indicate that the monument was used as a cemetery from its inception just after 3000 B.C. until well after the large stones went up around 2500 B.C.

Many archaeologists previously believed that people had been buried at Stonehenge only between 2700 and 2600 B.C., before the large stones, known as sarsens, were put in place. The new dates provide strong clues about the original purpose of the monument and show that its use as a cemetery extended for more than 500 years.

"It's now clear that burials were a major component of Stonehenge in all its main stages," said Mike Parker Pearson, archaeology professor at the University of Sheffield (U.K.), who with National Geographic support leads the Stonehenge Riverside Archaeological Project. "Stonehenge was a place of burial from its beginning to its zenith in the mid third millennium B.C. The cremation burial dating to Stonehenge's sarsen stones phase is likely just one of many from this later period of the monument's use and demonstrates that it was still very much a 'domain of the dead.'"

The earliest cremation burial dated - a small pile of burned bones and teeth - came from one of the pits around Stonehenge's edge known as the Aubrey Holes and dates to 3030-2880 B.C., roughly the time when Stonehenge's ditch-and-bank monument was cut into Salisbury Plain. The second burial, from the ditch surrounding Stonehenge, is that of an adult and dates to 2930-2870 B.C. The most recent cremation, Parker Pearson said, comes from the ditch's northern side and was of a 25-year-old woman; it dates to 2570-2340 B.C., around the time the first arrangements of sarsen stones appeared at Stonehenge.

The work at Stonehenge is featured in the June 2008 issue of National Geographic magazine. An exclusive look at the new discoveries will appear in a global premiere on the National Geographic Channel - "Stonehenge Decoded" - on Sunday, June 1, (9 p.m. ET/PT in the U.S.; check local listings internationally). Stonehenge also is featured in the June/July 2008 issue of National Geographic Kids magazine.

This is the first time any of the cremation burials from Stonehenge have been radiocarbon dated. The burials dated by Parker Pearson's team were excavated in the 1950s and have been kept at the nearby Salisbury Museum.

Another 49 cremation burials were dug up at Stonehenge during the 1920s, but all were put back in the ground because they were thought to be of no scientific value. Archaeologists estimate that up to 240 people were buried within Stonehenge, all as cremation deposits.

Parker Pearson's colleague at Sheffield, Andrew Chamberlain, a specialist in ancient demography, theorizes that the cremation burials represent the natural deaths of a single elite family and its descendants, perhaps a ruling dynasty. One clue to this, Professor Chamberlain says, is the small number of burials in Stonehenge's earliest phase, a number that grows larger in subsequent centuries, as offspring would have multiplied.

Another is the graves' placement in such an impressive monumental site. "I don't think it was the common people getting buried at Stonehenge - it was clearly a special place at that time," Parker Pearson said. "One has to assume anyone buried there had some good credentials."

"The people buried here must have been drawn from a very small and select living population," he said. "Archaeologists have long speculated about whether Stonehenge was put up by prehistoric chiefs - perhaps even ancient royalty - and the new results suggest that not only is this likely to have been the case but it also was the resting place of their mortal remains."

Besides conducting the radiocarbon dating, this season the archaeologists also excavated houses at nearby Durrington Walls, precisely dated Stonehenge's cursus - the ditched enclosure that has long puzzled archaeologists - and made new discoveries about the "Cuckoo Stone" and timber monuments south of Woodhenge.

Much of the focus for the fifth year of the eight-year Stonehenge Riverside Project was at Durrington Walls, Stonehenge's sister henge some 2 miles away, which like most of the Stonehenge landscape is owned and managed by the National Trust. Parker Pearson believes Durrington was built to accommodate the living, in contrast to Stonehenge's more somber purpose as a monument to the dead.

Last year the project archaeologists announced the discovery in 2006 of a large seasonal village where Stonehenge's builders are thought to have lived some 4,600 years ago, grouped around a timber version of Stonehenge. This season (2007) the team excavated four of those houses that once sat on a hillside, one of them especially well-preserved. Excavation of it turned up a wall made of cobb - a mixture of broken chalk and chunky plaster - that is the oldest such wall found in Britain. The other houses were found to be mostly of wattle-and-daub construction.

In the well-preserved house, which measured 4.8 by 5.2 meters (about 16 feet square), researchers unearthed bits of Stone Age life - flint tools, the end of a broken-off dress pin and two teacup-sized pits in the house's corners containing tiny, sharp chippings of flint, apparently swept there by the residents. Imprints of beds and a dresser also were visible around the edges of the floor. In the house's center, by the remains of an oval-shaped hearth, two thick grooves are visible in the floor, "right in that part of the fire where the floor has been stained with ash," Parker Pearson reports. "Whoever was in charge of the housework and the cooking was kneeling there."

The team also uncovered several houses along a broad avenue that links Durrington Walls with the nearby River Avon. These were three-sided structures with fireplaces, Parker Pearson said, perhaps used by spectators at processions that once moved up and down the avenue to the river.

The season's work leads Parker Pearson to believe that Durrington Walls was made up of a large, circular village of more than 300 houses, making it the largest village of its time in northwest Europe. "We think that both men and women and presumably children were living there - everybody seemed to have been involved in the building of Stonehenge," he said.

Preliminary results of environmental analyses suggest this was a seasonal settlement. The absence of certain items, such as newborn pigs and cattle, together with archaeological evidence of culling of pigs in the midwinter period, suggest that people journeyed to the site with prepared foodstuffs and animals only at certain times of the year, Parker Pearson said.
New radiocarbon dates of an antler pick used for digging tell a story about the Stonehenge Greater Cursus, a cigar-shaped ditched enclosure nearly two miles long. The new date - 3630 to 3375 B.C. - puts the cursus 1,000 years before the erection of Stonehenge's sarsens. Archaeologist Julian Thomas of the University of Manchester in England, who led that investigation, says the cursus' two parallel ditches enclosed a linear space that might have been considered sacred. "Our excavation shows it's almost clean - no other animal bones or other deposits," Professor Thomas said. The exact purpose of the cursus is unknown.

On the same axis as the cursus, the Cuckoo Stone was the source of another of the season's revelations. The archaeologists, led by Colin Richards of the University of Manchester, found that the stone, a squat sarsen boulder that lies on its side, had originally come from that location, unlike many other stones at Stonehenge. In Neolithic times, the stone was placed vertically near special pits used for depositing items, according to Richards. "We find again and again that the antler picks used for digging - still perfectly usable - have been deliberately buried in pits as if for ritual," Parker Pearson said.

Along the cliff top south of the timber monument known as Woodhenge, archaeologists led by Joshua Pollard of the University of Bristol discovered two oval-fenced areas enclosing dramatic, monumental timber structures, each anchored by four large posts. "These obviously were not domestic buildings," Pollard said. "Their purpose is uncertain, but it's possible they supported raised platforms where bodies of the dead were left to decay."

"All in all, we're finding that Stonehenge was a sophisticated society with great achievements," Parker Pearson said. "I doubt they realized they would create such a great mystery for the world to come."

The Stonehenge Riverside Project is funded by the National Geographic Society and Britain's Arts & Humanities Research Council, with support from English Heritage. Directors of the Project include Mike Parker Pearson (Sheffield), Julian Thomas (Manchester), Joshua Pollard (Bristol), Colin Richards (Manchester), Chris Tilley, University College London, and Kate Welham, University of Bournemouth.

More on Stonehenge can be viewed at www.nationalgeographic.com/stonehenge.

A short-form video on these discoveries is available from nationalgeographic.com and can be embedded on your Web site. To do so, please contact Barbara Moffet at (202) 857-7756.