NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNELS INTERNATIONAL AND THE BBC CO-PRODUCE THIRD SERIES OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL ENGINEERING CONNECTIONS WITH RICHARD HAMMOND WITH DARLOW SMITHSON
Press Release
Thursday 04 February 2010
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNELS INTERNATIONAL AND THE BBC CO-PRODUCE THIRD SERIES OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL ENGINEERING CONNECTIONS WITH RICHARD HAMMOND WITH DARLOW SMITHSON
Following the international success of the first two series, National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) and BBC Two have co-produced a third series of Engineering Connections with Richard Hammond with UK-based Darlow Smithson Productions.
The six new episodes star acclaimed British presenter Richard Hammond, and will investigate some of the world’s most ambitious engineering marvels to understand what made building these modern wonders possible. Hammond will delve deep within the hidden architecture of each structure to reveal an incredible array of ideas, technologies and sometimes bizarre inventions that span history. Featured in this season’s episodes will be a wide range of structures including Greece’s Rion-Antirion Bridge, the majestic Burj Al Arab and a United States space shuttle.
“Engineering Connections has been an outstanding performer for NGCI as a direct result of Richard Hammond’s energy along with the series’ fresh approach to uncovering unusual innovations that have provided the foundation for groundbreaking engineering that is reshaping our world. NGCI is delighted to partner with Darlow Smithson and the BBC on a third season”, said Sydney Suissa, Executive Vice President of Content for NGCI.
Cassian Harrison, BBC Commissioning Executive, said, ‘We’re extremely excited to be able to bring Engineering Connections back to BBC2 with NGCI as a partner. It’s been a fantastic title for us, and brings some really cutting edge science and engineering to our core audience in really exciting and engaging way. And of course both Darlow Smithson as producers and Richard Hammond as presenter are terrific people to be working with on this.’
Tom Brisley, Darlow Smithson’s Creative Director, added, “Engineering Connections has enthralled audiences around the world and it is with great pleasure that we bring it back for a third series. Once again, Richard will reveal the surprising links behind the construction of some of the world’s most incredible structures – engaging audiences with his enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge.”
“It’s a real pleasure making Engineering Connections about iconic structures all around the globe”, said Richard Hammond. “But the series doesn’t just give me a VIP pass behind the scenes – we really get to grips with the DNA of these incredible structures which is what the audience wants. The scientific experiments that we work up to demonstrate the core engineering principles are at the heart of the programme – we try to make them fun, but much more importantly, they do what television does best, which is to show rather than just tell the viewers how something works.”
Engineering Connections has been a powerhouse series for NGCI; its U.K. season one debut was the highest-rated programme premiere ever for the channel when it premiered. The series has experienced continued success both in the U.K. and in NGCI territories around the world.
Engineering Connections is produced for the National Geographic Channels International and BBC by Darlow Smithson Productions. Tom Brisley is the Executive Producer for Darlow Smithson and Nick Metcalfe is the Series Editor. For NGCI, Executive Vice President of Content is Sydney Suissa. Cassian Harrison is Commissioning Executive for the BBC, and Kim Shillinglaw is Commissioning Editor. The new season will premiere on BBC2 and the National Geographic Channel in early 2011.
The series will be distributed by Endemol Worldwide Distribution.
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About National Geographic Channels International (NGCI)
National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) invites viewers to live curious through its smart and 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 320 million homes in 166 countries and 34 languages.
For more information, please visit www.natgeotv.com.
Victoria Kirker
Tel: +1 202 912 3204
Email: vkirker@ngs.org
About Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP)
DSP is one of the world’s leading independent production companies. The company has an unsurpassed reputation for producing high-quality television programs for U.K., U.S. and international broadcasters, and has achieved worldwide industry recognition for its groundbreaking output. The company is proud to have received more than 40 industry awards, including recognition from BAFTA, The Royal Television Society and the U.S. Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences. From its base in London, and offices in New York and Singapore, the team works across a wide range of nonfiction television — from prestigious single feature-length documentaries to flagship series and from long-running popular formats to high-end factually based drama. DSP has unrivalled experience in high-definition production. The company also specializes in the use of advanced computer graphics and quality dramatic re-enactment and is an acknowledged leader in theatrical documentary.
DSP is part of Endemol, a world leading content provider with a global network of 80 companies in 26 countries including the United States, the U.K., Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as Latin America, India, South Africa and Australia. The company annually produces nearly 40,000 hours of original content across 400 broadcasters and cross-media platforms.
www.darlowsmithson.com
Press Contact:
Victoria Kirker
National Geographic Channels International
Tel: +1 202 912 3204
Email: vkirker@ngs.org