NEW DELHI: National Geographic Channel (NGC) has announced the launch of a global production unit in Singapore in 2004, to take advantage of the huge documentary production community based in the Asia Pacific region and produce programmes relevant for global audiences.
The unit in Singapore will develop a production model to tap the growing creative and business opportunities in Asia by identifying funding sources and developing new talents.
A company release quoted NGC India MD Zubin Gandevia as saying, "There is a wealth of talent, ideas and funding sources available in Asia. This strategic move reflects the emphasis the channel places on developing the production community in Asian."
He added, "In fact with the success of Mission Everest, we have proved that we are well-positioned to produce great programming."
Mission Everest, a NGC India-owned initiative, produced by using local film-making talent, was aired recently and turned out to be a huge accomplishment for the channel.
Another interesting India-specific programme, Adventure Diaries, produced entirely out of India will also be aired on the channel in 2004.
National Geographic has also signed a four-year multimillion-dollar production deal with Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) to further promote documentary production in India.
The NGCI-EDB deal will invite entries from Asian filmmakers and provide funds to select participants to facilitate the production of quality programming for global viewing, the release said.
NGC Asia is currently distributed to over 30 million 24-hour homes and over 50 million day-part cable homes in Asia Pacific.