National Geographic Channel's Summer 2016 TCA Announcements: Climate Change, Gender Fluidity, Ivory Trade VR Documentary, More
21st Century Fox Social Impact
National Geographic Channel made a number of big announcements during its summer 2016 Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour Saturday, signaling the realization of the transformational vision to become the world's leading destination for premium science, adventure and exploration programming announced last year.
The brand's "new breed of premium programming" reinforces the notion that "entertaining and smart are not mutually exclusive," said Courteney Monroe, CEO of National Geographic Global Networks, in her opening remarks. "We embody the trend where smart is the new sexy and visionary vanquishes vapid, a world where Elon Musk has the pop cultural sway that just a few years ago was reserved for Biebers and Kardashians. I mean, how refreshing a thought is that?"
National Geographic Channel, which touches more than 700 million consumers each month, is taking bold programming swings with bigger budgets aimed at a broader audience, developed and produced with some of the best storytellers today. "Our strategy is built on quality and distinctiveness, which is exactly what people expect from this iconic image," Courteney said.
As part of its endeavor to deliver a premium viewing experience for its audience, National Geographic Channel will reduce its ad load up to 50 percent starting this fall. "Not only will this create a more immersive viewing experience, but it also provides a less cluttered environment for our advertising partners," Courteney said.
