CHINA – National Geographic Channel will co-produce an international version of The Bund, a documentary originally developed by SMG and CNDF, one of the leading documentary production partnerships in China. Directed by CNDF luminary Mr. Zhou Bing, The Bund depicts the evolution and rising global influence of central Shanghai over the past century through five High-Definition (HD) episodes and a 120-minute HD theatrical version. Using the original footage and its hallmark storytelling techniques, National Geographic Channel will create an international version of the documentary to share the story of Shanghai’s success with the world.
The Bund international version will be released across the National Geographic Channel network to more than 330 million homes worldwide in 2011. In addition, CNDF will premiere The Bund HD theatrical version across China today.
National Geographic Channel and Mr. Zhou Bing previously cooperated with China Central Television (CCTV) on a critically acclaimed documentary The Forbidden City. After huge success in China, it was released internationally in 26 languages via the National Geographic Channel broadcast network, reaching a global audience of 290 million homes in 2006. The Forbidden City was rated as one of the top 30 National Geographic Channel documentaries in a regional poll conducted across Asia in 2008.
"National Geographic Channel has several ongoing partnerships with filmmakers in China. Through these we hope to promote China in a way that transcends cultural boundaries and encourages deeper understanding. This is a National Geographic vision we share with SMG and CNDF. We look forward to premiering The Bund international version globally as a major debut from National Geographic Channel, where the documentary will focus international attention on Chinese culture, history and archeology,” said Ms. Joanne Tsai, General Manager, China & Taiwan of National Geographic Channel.
The documentary channel currently reaches an audience of 719 million homes in Mainland China through its syndicated programming blocks – Global Geographic, which has focused on natural history and popular science programs since 2000, now reaching 31 cities; and Global Adventure, which launched earlier this year on NMTV Satellite Channel to bring stories of exploration and adventure to viewers across 31 provinces in China.
