World Leader In Documentary Programming To Launch Polish Version
On WIZJA TV
Washington, D.C., April 1, 1998
The National Geographic Channel U.K. announced today that it has concluded a long-term agreement to
launch a fully-customized, Polish version of the channel on April 18, as part of the WIZJA TV cable and
satellite package, just six months after launching branded channels in the U.K., Scandinavia and Australia.
The channel will be available immediately to over 700,000 subscribers at PTK Cable, the country’s largest
cable operator, and WIZJA TV’s DTH subscribers, and will be marketed to other cable companies across
the country.
This latest channel launch builds on the momentum of the previous six months, during which National
Geographic Channels have premiered in the U.K., Australia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.
During this time, the National Geographic Channel has become one of the top three most popular
channels on FOXTEL’s Australia platform. In the U.K., despite launching in a very competitive market,
the channel has seen viewership grow to become one of the top primetime basic channels in February,
according to BARB research.This latest channel launch builds on the momentum of the previous six months, during which National
Geographic Channels have premiered in the U.K., Australia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.
During this time, the National Geographic Channel has become one of the top three most popular
channels on FOXTEL’s Australia platform. In the U.K., despite launching in a very competitive market,
the channel has seen viewership grow to become one of the top primetime basic channels in February,
according to BARB research.
National Geographic Channel’s move into Poland was facilitated by Jerry Glover, Managing Director of the
National Geographic Channel U.K. “Poland is the largest and fastest-growing cable and satellite market in
Central and Eastern Europe, and we’re delighted that we will be a core part of WIZJA TV, the first digital
cable and satellite platform in the region,” said Glover. “We are confident we will be one of Poland’s top
channels in short order, as we have in our other markets, and we will use this platform as a springboard
into other markets in the region.”
Glover added, “The National Geographic Channel Poland will be a customized channel transmitting a vast
majority of its programmes in Polish from WIZJA TV’s studios in Maidstone, Kent and broadcasting from
the ASTRA satellite as part of their 15 channel package. As with our other channels, every programme
will be rigorously fact-checked by the Society’s experts in Washington D.C., to ensure the accuracy and
quality that is synonymous with National Geographic. Our Polish translations will also be checked to
ensure absolute consistency.”
David Warner COO of @ Entertainment, WIZJA TV’s parent company said, “National Geographic is well-known in Poland for its quality and accuracy and we are convinced the channel will be one of our most
successful channels. It will be a core part of our effort to bring high-quality, Polish programming to the
multi-channel market here.” The National Geographic Channel will also feature prominently in the
massive upcoming advertising campaign across Poland, orchestrated by J. Walter Thompson in Warsaw
and London with WIZJA TV.
“The Eastern European market has been an important region for National Geographic Channels’ expansion
strategy,” said Sandy McGovern, President, National Geographic Channels Worldwide. “With @
Entertainment’s projected increase to over one million subscribers by the year 2000, we’re confident
that the relationship will provide us with an opportunity to reach our audience in Poland and we look
forward to beginning our mutually beneficial partnership this May.”
The National Geographic Channel Poland will feature the spectacular imagery and compelling stories of
adventure, exploration and daring that comprise the award-winning library of National Geographic
Television documentaries. The channel will also feature distinctive and enthralling new documentaries
culled from the world’s foremost filmmakers, providing viewers with 12 hours of quality documentary
programming per day, seven days a week.
The National Geographic Channel programming schedule will be built around a daily offering of thematic
stands encompassing National Geographic’s 110-year history of world exploration, scientific research,
ethnographic studies and adventures to exotic locations. Programming strands include: FRONTIERS, a
half-hour slot which provides viewers with a unique journey to one of the world’s remaining remote and
undeveloped areas; ON ASSIGNMENT, a half-hour slot which depicts one of the many National
Geographic photographers, writers or scientists at work; WILD, a one hour program that introduces viewers
to a variety of species from the animal kingdom; QUEST, an hour long search of many informative yet
risky experiences; ENCOUNTER, a one hour slot that brings viewers face to face with people and places
from around the world; OFF THE BEATEN TRACK, a one hour program that presents quirky and
unusual perspectives on the world and all that’s in it.
National Geographic Channels Worldwide, launched September 1, 1997, in the U.K., Australia, and the
Republic of Ireland, and later in the month in Scandinavia and Finland, representing National Geographic’s
first branded television channels. In addition to the highly acclaimed National Geographic Television
product, the program schedule showcases high caliber documentaries from other distinguished filmmakers
and production/distribution companies from around the world, focusing on such topics as natural history,
adventure, science, exploration, and culture. National Geographic Channels Worldwide is a business
enterprise formed by NBC and NGT.
Contact:
Kathie Teter, NGCW
+1 202 857-7671
Gabriella Alaimo, Pryor & Associates
+1 818 382-2233
