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Tom Brokaw to Host Television Event
“National Geographic Channel Presents Pearl Harbor: Legacy of Attack”
Primetime Premiere on NBC and National Geographic Channel for Memorial Day Weekend
(WASHINGTON, D.C.— April 5, 2001)—The National Geographic Channel today announced that NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw will host “National Geographic Channel Presents Pearl Harbor: Legacy of Attack,” a new two-hour documentary that premieres Sunday, May 27 on the National Geographic Channel, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, and on NBC at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
“National Geographic Channel Presents Pearl Harbor: Legacy of Attack,” produced by National Geographic Television, includes the most extensive historical underwater survey of Pearl Harbor. The program covers National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Robert Ballard’s recently completed expedition to the famous battle site, including his search for a sunken Japanese midget submarine whose location is one of the enduring mysteries of the battle. Ballard’s search was partially guided by testimony from both American and Japanese veterans of the attack, whose recollections bring an eyewitness perspective to the horrific events of the day. Historian and best-selling author Stephen Ambrose, another National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, will place the impact of the battle in historical context. The program also features the first-ever underwater footage from inside the USS Arizona, which was sunk during the attack killing 1,177 soldiers.
“The attack on Pearl Harbor is one of those events of such magnitude it will always stand out in bold print in any history of the 20th century. It had an electrifying and profound effect on Americans and their place in the world. This documentary gives us fresh insights into that day which lives in infamy, and it provides some surprising new facts,” said Brokaw. “I’m very pleased that we’re able to tell this story from the perspective of both American and Japanese veterans. Almost 60 years after Pearl Harbor, there’s still so much to know,” Brokaw continued.
The broadcast on NBC will include promotional spots for National Geographic Channel to increase awareness of the new network, which launched in January of this year. “National Geographic is recognized as a leader in exploration, adventure and award-winning documentary production. We’ve repeatedly seen that when people learn National Geographic has a network, they want it in their home,” said Laureen Ong, President of the National Geographic Channel. “Airing this program on NBC, a network with which
we’ve had a long association, will give the broadest possible audience an opportunity to sample the caliber of programming available on our Channel.”
“NBC is pleased to be involved in bringing a documentary of this caliber and significance to network audiences,” said Andrew Lack, President, NBC News. “Historically, the partnership between NBC and National Geographic has resulted in some of the highest ratings in recent memory for documentary television. We anticipate that ‘Legacy of Attack’ will continue this tradition of success.”
As anchor and managing editor of the top-rated “NBC Nightly News,” Tom Brokaw has earned a reputation for credibility and integrity during his distinguished career covering news events across the country and around the world. Brokaw is also recognized for his passionate interest in the veterans of World War II. In December 1998, Brokaw published his first book, now a No. 1 bestseller, “The Greatest Generation,” about the generation of Americans who came of age during the Great Depression and fought in the Second World War.
Based at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel is a partnership between National Geographic Television and Fox Cable Networks Group. National Geographic Channel debuted to an initial 10 million homes in January 2001, and enjoys carriage commitments with partners AT&T Business & Internet Services, DirecTV, Adelphia Communications, the National Cable Television Co-Operative and others to boost its overall reach to 28 million homes.
Media Contacts:
Russell A. Howard, National Geographic Channel,
202 912 6652
Nord Wennerstrom, The Fratelli Group,
202 822 9491
Cathryn Boxberger, NBC,
818 840 3438
Barbara Levin, NBC News Communications,
212 664 2265
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April 2001
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