WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Geographic Channel (NGC) and Mental Floss today announced a joint agreement to co-create unscripted television projects to be produced by prolific production company Leftfield Pictures, which is currently generating development and show concepts. The agreement covers global television series and specials, with the first expected to be announced later this summer.
“The joining of these two incredible brands — one with a 127-year history of exploring the world, and the other a media icon for the current generation of knowledge seekers — seemed like a no-brainer,” said Tim Pastore, president of original programming and production, NGC US. “By combining our dual passion for exploring science, history, pop culture, the arts and so many other smart topics in between, I cannot wait to see what we accomplish together.”
National Geographic and Mental Floss will collaborate to deliver premium content through original programming, live special events and expansion of NGC’s smart entertainment genre. More details will be announced in summer 2015.
”We are delighted with the opportunity to partner with National Geographic, in part because it has an outstanding global brand and also shares our quest to educate, inspire and entertain audiences worldwide,” said Will Pearson, president of Mental Floss. “This exciting partnership will allow both brands to create premium content for our core audiences that is the perfect blend of knowledge and entertainment.”
The projects will air globally on the National Geographic Channels in 171 countries and 44 languages. Each project resulting from the agreement will receive support on the promotional platforms of NGC, as well as on the Mental Floss platforms, including the magazine, website and YouTube channel.
About National Geographic Channels
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channels US are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Networks. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation and education with smart, innovative programming and profits that directly support its mission. Launched in January 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrated its fifth anniversary with the debut of NGC HD. In 2010, the wildlife and natural history cable channel Nat Geo WILD was launched, and in 2011, the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation’s major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with NGC currently available in more than 90 million U.S. homes. Globally, National Geographic Channel is available in more than 432 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com.
About Mental Floss
Mental Floss is an award-winning media brand at the intersection of knowledge and entertainment. Our world-class creative talent delivers sophisticated and sharable content on everything from science, history, pop culture and the arts. Mental Floss reaches more than 17 million engaged millennials each month through mentalfloss.com, the mental_floss YouTube channel, the magazine, social media, live events, e-commerce and book publishing. The brand has won three consecutive Webby Awards and has been recognized as No. 1 on Mashable’s list of “Twitter Feeds That Will Make You Smarter.” For more information, visit www.mentalfloss.com.
About Leftfield Pictures
Leftfield Pictures, part of Leftfield Entertainment, an ITV Studios company, is best known for producing the breakout hit Pawn Stars, delivering record ratings for History and spawning the “hidden treasures” genre of programming. Pawn Stars spinoffs include American Restoration, Counting Cars and the game show Pawnography, as well as international formats in the UK, Australia and South Africa. Leftfield Pictures also produces Blood, Sweat and Heels (Bravo), Alone (History), Cutting It (WEtv), New Money (E!) and the upcoming Lachey’s: Raising the Bar (A&E). Leftfield Pictures has additional series in production and development with networks including Bravo, National Geographic, History, Lifetime, Discovery, VH1, FYI, E!, Animal Planet, HGTV and more. Other Leftfield Entertainment companies include Sirens Media (Real Housewives of New Jersey), Loud TV (Tiny House Nation), Outpost Entertainment (Icons) and Riot Creative.
