​Newly installed National Geographic Channels CEO Courteney Monroe is helping return the company to its educational and informative roots, unveiling a slate of new docu-series and science specials the summer Television Critics’ Association press tour on Tuesday.

Monroe—who is also a PromaxBDA Board Member—took over from former CEO David Lyle on May 1 after serving as CMO of the company’s domestic networks.

Among the new offerings touted by Nat Geo at their TCA presentation:

  • “9/10: The Final Hour,” a special that takes a look at the world just before the September 11 terrorist attacks.
  • “Mapology,” a new series hosted by Kal Penn which takes a look at how maps, infographics, and visual data help us better understand the world around us.
  • “Eat: The Story of Food,” exploring how food has shaped our civilization
  • “Sleepless in America,” about our nation’s relationship with rest.
  • “Chug” sees “drinkaloguer” Zane Lamprey traveling the world by train to explore drinking customs and alcoholic beverages.
  • “Eric Greenspan is Hungry” will see the outspoken chef travel the world seeing out exotic and unusual meats to sample.

The programming moves Nat Geo back into its traditional sweet spot of news and information and away from the more entertainment-focused reality series that punctuated the final years of Lyle’s tenure at the company.

Read More: Variety

Brief Take: In an ever-more competitive TV space, Monroe’s shift back to Nat Geo’s traditional sweet spot could help it gain viewers who will now be finding the kind of programming they have come to expect from the brand, rather than more off-base offerings.

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