National Geographic Channel Added to Singapore Cable Vision

National Geographic Channel Asia, one of the most successful channels to launch in the history of Asian cable, will be carried on the basic tier of Singapore Cable Vision’s (SCV) Channel 35 starting June 1, 1999.

SCV subscribers will join the 12.5 million Asian homes now enjoying high caliber programming from the National Geographic Channel. Programs feature compelling stories and spectacular images of subjects in the fields of natural history, science, adventure, wildlife, and world culture.

Deborah Armstrong, Vice President of marketing for National Geographic Channel Asia said, “National Geographic Television programs are among the highest rated non-fiction programs on terrestrial TV in Asia. They are also considered by Asian program buyers as the ‘best of the best.’”

“We are delighted that Singaporean families can enjoy these high quality, exciting, educational programs on the National Geographic Channel on a 24-hour basis,” Armstrong said.

SCV Vice President of programming Sandie Lee said, “SCV is confident that the quality programs on the National Geographic Channel will enhance the educational and entertainment value of the programming available on SCV channels.”

“With the addition of the Channel to SCV’s basic tier, both adults and children alike will have a greater variety of documentary programs to choose from,” said Lee.

Since its launch in Asia in July 1998, the Channel has brought well-known National Geographic personalities to the countries of Singapore, the Philippines, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to share their knowledge and experiences with the public. Guest speakers have included Greg Marshall, marine biologist, film producer and inventor of the Crittercam; Mark Shelley, marine expert and specialist in natural history and science; Dereck and Beverly Joubert, authors and acclaimed filmmakers on African wildlife; and Georges Brossard, renowned entomologist and creator of the 13-part documentary series Insectia which premiered on National Geographic Channel in April.

“There is nothing that beats the excitement of coming face-to-face with the very people who make the films possible—the explorers, researchers, filmmakers and scientists who push boundaries everyday to bring to people everywhere a window to our fascinating, ever-changing living world,” said Armstrong.

Last month, the Channel hosted Lisa Truitt, award-winning producer of National Geographic Television. She was in Asia for the premiere of National Geographic’s first large-format film, Mysteries of Egypt, which Truitt co-produced. The film is currently being screened at the Singapore Omnimax Theatre, with sponsorship by National Geographic Channel Asia, and at the Taipei Astronomical Museum.

In Singapore, National Geographic Channel Asia has actively supported expeditions and educational projects, including the Singapore Antarctica 2000 Expedition, the Singapore Geography Challenge for students, and the Aseanarean Expedition which aims to document the region’s marine parks through a three-part documentary series commissioned by the Channel.

National Geographic Channel Asia is a business enterprise of National Geographic Television (NGT), Fox Entertainment Group, and NBC.

National Geographic programs are backed by the vast resources of the National Geographic Society which continues a 111-year tradition of close involvement and support of science and exploration. NGT is a world leader in the production of award-winning documentary specials, series, and docudramas. Programs reflect the Society’s commitment to quality, integrity, and accuracy—more than 25 hours are spent fact-checking each hour of programming. NGT is one of the few producing companies in the world that has a filmmaking unit devoted exclusively to natural history, one that has its own team of scientists and area specialists with connections to the best scientists and filmmakers around the world.

With more than 35 channels of quality international programming including news, movies, entertainment, sports, music, and education, Singapore Cable Vision provides high-quality international programming 24 hours a day. More than 94% of Singapore homes are now wired for cable. SCV expects to provide cable access to nearly all households in Singapore by September 1999. SCV’s subscriber base now stands at 164,000.