(Washington, DC – 8 December 2008) National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) and the Government Information Office (GIO) of Taiwan announced today a long-term continuing partnership to further foster the development of high-definition (HD) documentary production in Taiwan through the co-funded, award-winning series Taiwan to the World.
Under this collaboration, Taiwan’s filmmakers will have the opportunity to produce up to nine hours of HD programmes for the international market through National Geographic Channels International’s global network in the next three years. In honour of this collaboration, a selection of Taiwan to the World films will also premiere on National Geographic Channel in the U.S. early next year.
David Haslingden, CEO of National Geographic Channel, comments: “After the success of these films, we are especially thrilled to announce that two award-winning Taiwan to the World documentaries, The Pigeon Game and Black Bears Unleashed, will premiere on the National Geographic Channel in the U.S. next year. These films will offer U.S. viewers some unique stories little known to people outside of Taiwan”.
A separate announcement was made about a GIO-funded NGC Deaflympics documentary project, filmed in high definition. The 21st Summer Deaflympics will be held in Taipei, Taiwan, in September 2009 – a first for Asia. The Deaflympics documentary will premiere in Asia on NGC in 2010, coinciding with a U.S. premiere screening in Washington, DC, at Gallaudet University – a liberal arts university for the deaf and hard of hearing.
The announcements were made at the Twin Oaks mansion, once the property of National Geographic Society’s first president, Gardiner Green Hubbard, and later sold to the Taiwan government. Twin Oaks symbolises friendship between the U.S and Taiwan, but during the announcement, the meaning was more profound.
Taiwan’s Representative to the U.S., Jason C. Yuan, signed as witness during the official signing ceremony. He said, “Alexander Graham Bell, a founding member of the National Geographic Society, was Gardiner Green Hubbard’s son-in-law. Out of love for his wife, who was deaf, he dedicated his life to studying sound and working with the deaf. This year marks the 120th anniversary of both Twin Oaks and the National Geographic Society. What a perfect place and time to announce a continued partnership and the Deaflympics project”.
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National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) invites viewers to re-think the way they see television - and the world - with smart, innovative programming. A business enterprise owned by National Geographic Television (NGT) and FOX Entertainment Group, NGCI contributes to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education through its five channels: National Geographic Channel, National Geographic Channel HD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Adventure and Nat Geo Music.
Globally, National Geographic Channel (including NGC U.S. which is a joint venture of NGT and Fox Cable Networks Group) is available in 270 million homes in 166 countries and 34 languages.
For media inquiries, please contact:
National Geographic Channel International
National Geographic Channel Asia- Taiwan Office
Mindy Lee / Marketing Director
Tel: + 886 2 2734 3311
Cell : + 886 938 057000
Email : mindyl@ngcasia.com
Victoria Kirker/ Marketing & Communications Manager
National Geographic Channels, International
Tel: + 1 202-912-3204
Email: vkirker@ngs.org
Taiwan Economic & Cultural Representative Office in the U.S.
Eugenia Yun/ Executive Officer
Tel: + 1 202 895 1855
Email: yuyun@tecro.us
Jimmy Wang/ Executive Officer
Tel: + 1 202 895 1852
Email: kenglingwang@tecro.us
