National Geographic Channel Announces Emmy and Golden Globe Award Winner Alec Baldwin to Narrate Great Migrations

GLOBAL TELEVISION EVENT AND THE LARGEST CROSS-PLATFORM INITIATIVE IN THE HISTORY OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TO PREMIERE FALL 2010

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  National Geographic Channel announced today that two-time Emmy and three-time Golden Globe winner Alec Baldwin will narrate GREAT MIGRATIONS — the global programming event that takes viewers around the world on the arduous journeys millions of animals undertake to ensure the survival of their species.  

Great Migrations is a worldwide initiative unprecedented in the National Geographic Society's storied 120-year history.  At the core of Great Migrations is a seven-hour high-definition miniseries event three years in the making — produced by National Geographic Television — to premiere globally on the National Geographic Channels in fall 2010.  The world premiere specials will include four core hours chronicling epic stories of animal migration across the globe, narrated by Baldwin.

Great Migrations gives the word "move" a whole new meaning.  Shot from land and air, in trees and cliff-blinds, on ice floes and underwater, Great Migrations tells the formidable, powerful stories of many of the planet's species and their movements, while revealing new scientific discoveries with breathtaking high-definition clarity.  The beauty of these stories is underscored by new knowledge of these species' fragile existence and their life-and-death quest for survival in an ever-changing world.  The National Geographic Great Migrations team spent two and a half years in the field, traveling 420,000 miles in 20 countries and all seven continents to bring this spectacular first-of-its-kind production to television.  

"Great Migrations is more than stunning imagery; it presents incredible stories about survival, family and life, and I can't think of a better voice to take viewers along on these journeys than Alec Baldwin," said National Geographic Channel Executive Producer Char Serwa.  "His skill at conveying the drama, range of emotions and compelling information all in one will only add to the viewer experience."

Baldwin first gained recognition through television for his work in the soap opera "Knots Landing," which aired on CBS from 1984 to 1986.  He has since played both leading and supporting roles in films such as "Beetlejuice" (1988), "The Hunt for Red October" (1990), "Glengarry Glen Ross" (1992), "The Aviator" (2004), "The Departed" (2006) and most recently "It's Complicated" (2009), with Meryl Streep.  His performance in the 2003 film "The Cooler" garnered him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination.  He currently stars as Jack Donaghy on the hit NBC sitcom 30 Rock.  He has received two Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards and four Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Additional hours of Great Migrations will include a special that investigates the science behind animal migration (airing as part of NGC's signature series Explorer in the United States); a behind-the-scenes special on the advanced technology required to capture the spectacular footage and rare behaviors documented during the filming, as well as the dramatic challenges faced by the crew; and an hour-long visual concert comprised of the stunning footage set to music.  

In addition to the seven hours of programming, Great Migrations content will be featured across the spectrum of National Geographic platforms, including magazine articles and maps, books, DVDs, mobile and iPhone apps, games, lectures, screenings, exhibits and tours, among others.

Great Migrations is a National Geographic Television (NGT) production.  President, NGT is Michael Rosenfeld.  Executive producer is Keenan Smart.  Series producer is David Hamlin.  Executive producer for National Geographic Channels is Char Serwa; for NGC-US, senior vice president of production is Juliet Blake, and executive vice president of content is Steve Burns.  For National Geographic Channels International, executive vice president of content is Sydney Suissa.

For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com/migrations.

National Geographic Channel U.S. (NGC)

Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel (NGC) is a joint venture between National Geographic Ventures (NGV) and Fox Cable Networks (FCN).  Since launching in January 2001, NGC initially earned some of the fastest distribution growth in the history of cable and more recently the fastest ratings growth in television.  The network celebrated its fifth anniversary January 2006 with the launch of NGC HD, which provides the spectacular imagery that National Geographic is known for in stunning high definition.  NGC has carriage with all of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available in nearly 70 million homes.  For more information, please visit natgeotv.com.

National Geographic Channels International (NGCI)

National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) invites viewers to live curious through its smart, innovative programming that questions what we know, how we view the world and what drives us forward.  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 six channels: National Geographic Channel, National Geographic Channel HD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Wild HD, 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 more than 315 million homes in 166 countries and 34 languages.  For more information, please visit natgeotv.com.

National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations.  Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. National Geographic reflects the world through its magazines, television programs, films, music and radio, books, DVDs, maps, exhibitions, live events, school publishing programs, interactive media and merchandise.  National Geographic magazine, the Society's official journal, published in English and 32 local-language editions, is read by more than 35 million people each month.  The National Geographic Channel reaches 310 million households in 34 languages in 165 countries.  National Geographic Digital Media receives more than 12 million visitors a month.  National Geographic has funded more than 9,200 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geography literacy.  For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

National Geographic Television

National Geographic Television (NGT) is the documentary TV production arm of the National Geographic Society (NGS), known around the world for its remarkable visuals and compelling stories.  In 1963 NGT broke ground by broadcasting on American network television the first moving pictures from the summit of Everest.  Since then, NGT has continued to push technology to its limits to bring great stories to television audiences worldwide.  With more than 130 Emmy Awards and nearly 1,000 other industry accolades, NGT programming can be seen globally on the National Geographic Channel, as well as terrestrial and other cable and satellite broadcasters worldwide through international sales by National Geographic Television International, and on U.S. public television stations.

SOURCE National Geographic Channel