Washington, D.C., October 5, 1998

Continuing in the expansion of its programming development, National Geographic Television (NGT) President Tim Kelly has announced the formation of the new Program Enterprise Group, creating a specialized programming development effort to serve National Geographic Channels Worldwide.

In making the announcement, Kelly also stated that Nick Durrie, formerly the President at ABC/Kane Productions International, Inc., a well respected documentary production company based in Washington, D.C., has joined the Program Enterprise Group as its Senior Vice President at NGT. Durrie will be joined in the new Program Enterprise Group by Christine Weber, who takes on the new title of Executive Producer and will continue to be based in Washington, D.C. Weber had been Senior Producer, New Program Development at NGT.

The Group, charged with developing and supervising original programming specifically for the National Geographic Channel, anticipates producing 100 hours of programming in 1999, with growth well beyond that in future years. The Group will focus on new series proposals, particularly high quality, non-fiction programs, covering science, history, travel, adventure, and natural history, which reflect the mission of National Geographic. The Group will also look to identify potential partners and production companies interested in coproducing series under the National Geographic Television brand.

The Group will work in close collaboration with Andrew Carl Wilk, recently elevated to the position of Executive Vice President of Programming and Production at NGT, as well as with production personnel for NGT’s Explorer and Specials series, and the Natural History and Children’s Programming units, which Wilk oversees.

Said Kelly, “The Channel gives the National Geographic Society a real voice in the global electronic village. The Program Enterprise Group is charged with creating original programming that showcases the great editorial and scientific resources of the Society. The programming will reflect the great storytelling and high production values that have become synonymous with our brand.”

“Nick’s extensive production experience and contacts in the global documentary community will be a tremendous asset to our ongoing programming efforts,” added Sandy McGovern, President, National Geographic Channels Worldwide. “Working with talented individuals like Chris and Nick with the support and collaboration of the other NGT programming units, I believe we’re creating a finely tuned, efficient and effective production development and acquisition team that will be able to meet the growing needs of our Channels.”

“This is a very exciting and challenging time for National Geographic Television,” added Durrie. “I’m proud to join such a well-respected and dedicated team of documentary professionals and look forward with great anticipation to assuming a very rewarding, albeit demanding, role in the company’s expansion effort.”

With National Geographic Channels currently operating in 45 countries and serving over 27 million subscribers, the need for signature programming consistent with the National Geographic Television standard of excellence becomes increasingly important. National Geographic Channels Worldwide, a business enterprise of NGT and NBC, launched its first Channels in September 1997. The National Geographic Channel has become one of the fastest growing television channels in the world, and is targeting 1999 for its U.S. launch.

Durrie, who comes to NGT’s newly formed Program Enterprise Group directly from his post as President of ABC/Kane Productions International, joined that company in 1988 as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He was promoted to the post of President in 1995. Under his aegis, ABC/Kane has produced such Emmy-award-winning programming as The Living Edens (PBS), which also won top awards at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival for Best Series and Best Cinematography, and ABC’s World of Discovery, which was produced for the ABC Network for the last seven years and won seven Emmy and six Genesis awards, in addition to an Academy Award nomination. Previously, he served as Vice President of Finance and Administration with Focus Technologies, Inc. and HCX, Inc., biotechnology start-up companies based in the Washington, DC area.

Durrie’s production expertise is drawn from five years (’81 to ’86) as Vice President of Finance and Operations for Centerpoint Communications, a television production and distribution company with offices in New York and Los Angeles. Durrie also held a similar post with The Susskind Company, a joint venture production company formed by David Susskind and MGM.

Launching his career with Time, Incorporated, Durrie started as an analyst in 1972, rising through various appointments within the company to the post of Vice President of Finance and Administration for Time Life Films, a post he held for six years. A graduate of Stanford University with a BA in Economics, Durrie also holds an MBA in Finance from the University’s Graduate School of Business.

The appointment of Christine Weber as Executive Producer of the Program Enterprise Group reunites Durrie and Weber who worked together in the past. Weber began working with National Geographic Television in its Los Angeles production offices in 1978. In the 1980s, she launched a successful freelance career, working on such films as “oceanQuest”, a five-part mini-series for NBC and the Expo ’86 California Exhibition Film. Rejoining NGT, Weber produced the “Lost Kingdoms of the Maya” Special as well as the two Emmy Award-winning films “U-Boats: Terror on Our Shores” and “Search for Battleship Bismarck.” Weber has also produced such NGT films as “Lost City of the Maya,” “Last Voyage of the Andrea Doria,” “In The Footsteps of Crusoe,” “Flight Over Africa”, “The Greatest Flight,” and “Coming of Age With Elephants,” among others.

Building on its reputation for remarkably visual and compelling stories, National Geographic Television (NGT) augments its award-winning documentary production with new children’s, prime-time drama, large-format and feature film programming, as well as international broadcast and video distribution. NGT’s business enterprise with NBC has resulted in the development of National Geographic Channels Worldwide, which launches the National Geographic Channel with local partners throughout the global marketplace. At present, NGT’s programming can be seen in the US on the NBC, TBS and PBS networks as well as through syndication and home video while more than 100 different outlets in some 90 territories currently license NGT programming.

Contacts:

Gabriella Alaimo/PRYOR & ASSOCIATES
Tel: +1 818 382 2233

Kathie Teter/NGT
Tel: +1 202 857 7627