National Geographic Ventures Restructures Television Production Unit Focused On Documentary Series, Specials

Michael Rosenfeld Named President of Newly Reorganized National Geographic Television

WASHINGTON (July 10, 2006)--Responding to a two-fold increase in production, National Geographic Ventures President Tim Kelly announced today a major reorganization of the documentary television unit. The newly structured National Geographic Television (NGT) will focus on the production of series and specials for broadcast and cable networks, including the National Geographic Channels worldwide and international terrestrial broadcasters and other cable/satellite operators. Michael Rosenfeld has been named president of the company, which will be organized around five core production teams, including a new Science unit.

“Our production has increased from around 60 hours to 120 hours since 2004, and we foresee continued growth,” said Kelly. “During Michael’s time with National Geographic Television, the reputation of the division also has grown immensely, which is why we believe his editorial insight and smart leadership make him the ideal candidate to navigate through this exciting time. The changes he is making at NGT will position us to respond quickly with the kind of stellar programming National Geographic is known for.”

Over the past year and a half, as NGT’s executive vice president, Programming and Production, Rosenfeld has led a re-engineering of the production company. The development team has tripled in size under the leadership of Senior Vice President Maryanne Culpepper -- a factor that is driving much of the company’s growth. To handle the increased volume, production is now made up of five distinct units: Explorer, Specials and Events, Natural History, Series Production and Science. The units are overseen by two new key hires on the production side: Kathy Davidov, vice president, Series, and Stephen Reverend, senior vice president, Specials.

“NGT has a legendary history going back to the early days of the National Geographic Specials,” said Rosenfeld. “These changes won’t change our essential character -- we’ll still produce programs that inspire people to care about the planet -- but we’ll be better positioned to grow and meet the demands of our broadcast clients, especially the National Geographic Channels.”

New Popular Science Focus

National Geographic Television began 40 years ago with the production of the acclaimed National Geographic Specials. Today it is the production arm of National Geographic, producing much of the programming for the National Geographic Channels, including the weekly flagship program Explorer. NGT also produces specials and series for PBS and other broadcasters.

NGT’s world-renowned Natural History unit has become synonymous with the National Geographic brand. The new Science unit, overseen by Executive Producer Eleanor Grant, aims to make the same kind of impact in popular science programming, tapping into National Geographic’s vast resources and working closely with National Geographic magazine groups, Mission Programs, Maps, Books and other editorial platforms.

“The Science unit stands to benefit from great access to cutting-edge discoveries funded by the Society’s Committee for Research and Exploration,” said Rosenfeld. “From dinosaurs to geology to human behavior, we want to provide the last word in science coverage.”

National Geographic Ventures (NGV) is a wholly owned, taxable subsidiary of the National Geographic Society, one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the National Geographic Society today works to inspire people to care about the planet.
NGV includes National Geographic Television production and distribution, National Geographic Television International, National Geographic Feature Films and National Geographic Giant Screen Films, Kids TV, National Geographic Home Entertainment, Digital Media business development, including Digital Motion (formerly the Film Library) and Nationalgeographic.com, as well as National Geographic Maps. NGV creates and distributes content across multi-platforms and media providing outlets for the hundreds of scientific and expedition-based grants awarded each year. For more information, log on to nationalgeographic.com.

Contact Information

Ellen Stanley

National Geographic

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