Highlights for the 2003-2004 season.
Through the Lens
(Canadian Premiere)Sept.21 at 9pm ET
This feature documentary takes some of the most riveting adventure photo-graphs of the last decade and tells the stories behind the lens –quests filled with excitement,pain,danger and triumph –where split-second timing can spell the difference between exhilarating success and devastating failure. From base-jumping the highest waterfall on earth,to trekking across Arabia by camel,ten featured photographs will plunge viewers into a thrill-seeking,heart-stopping world of action and edge-of-your-seat exploits.
Inside Mecca
(World Broadcast Premiere)Oct.19 at 9pm ET
This film follows three pilgrims as they embark on their journey to Mecca,Saudi Arabia,for the Hajj in 2003. Woven through the personal stories of the pilgrims, Inside Mecca examines the city itself and its historic importance to Muslim and non-Muslim populations alike. Combining live action with history,the film provides a timely political and religious context for the Hajj.
Muhammad:Legacy of a Prophet
(Network Premiere)Oct.19 at 10pm ET
This is the story of the 7th century prophet who changed world history in 23 years,and continues to shape the lives of more than 1.2 billion people. The film creates a lively,thorough and honest portrait of Muhammad,the man and the prophet.It takes viewers not only to ancient Arabian sites where Muhammad’s story unfolded,but into the homes,mosques and work places of some of the world’s seven million Muslims to discover the many ways in which they follow Muhammad’s example.
NEW SERIES
Animal Nightmares
(Canadian Premiere)Oct.7 at 6:30pm ET
Everyone is afraid of something,and the animal kingdom is responsible for many of our fears.Sharks,snakes and spiders are among the world’s most feared creatures. This 13-part series examines human fear of animals and what lies behind the paralyzing terror some experience when confronted by seemingly harmless everyday pets.
Built for Destruction
(Canadian Premiere)Jan.2004
This series turns natural disasters inside out to pinpoint the source of their destructive power.Each episode takes eye-popping footage of hurricanes, earthquakes and other catastrophic forces and examines these forces with forensic precision.The destructive forces of nature are explored through a unique fusion of science,computer animation and spectacular eyewitness footage.
Cheating Death
(Canadian Premiere)Sept.20 at 8pm ET
These are the jobs that change the world.From fighting an oil fire,to a reporter who covers the world’s most dangerous storms,these jobs,and the people who choose to risk life and limb daily,are quite extraordinary.This series examines the danger and dedication that these workers face on a daily basis.
Insects from Hell
(Canadian Premiere)Oct.6 at 6:30pm ET
Join Jake Willers on an unbelievable tour of the arthropod world of bugs,beetles, spiders and scorpions.This series offers an unparalleled view of the workings of this micro-world,giving incredible insight into just what makes these animals so fascinating and vital to our existence.Willers dispels some of the legends that surround these creatures,and replaces them with mind-blowing facts and information that will turn fear into awe.
The Rite Stuff
(Network Premiere)Dec.13 at 6:30pm ET
In this six-part series,Hakeem Kae-Kazim,born in Nigeria and raised in Britain, rediscovers some of the amazing and often bizarre rituals of some of Africa’s tribes.This includes the harrowing circumcision rituals of the Xhosa and the dramatically beautiful Reed Dance of the Zulu maidens.
Shipwreck Detectives
(Network Premiere)Oct.11 at 9pm ET
Sunken ships,treasure troves of diamonds and underwater graveyards. The sea meets Sherlock Holmes as Shipwreck Detectives attempts to solve the secrets of ships and the sea.In 1692,a Dutch ship was wrecked off the coast of Western Australia and the 300 passengers who survived,struggled and swam to nearby barren islands.Over the next few months,chaos and terror ensued as one man reigned terror over the survivors,killing over half of them. Now scientists use modern investigative techniques to discover just what really happened on those islands.
THEME WEEKS
Volcano Week
Sept.1 to 7 at 9pm ET
With eruptions and flowing lava,National Geographic Channel heats up with 10 hours of fascinating volcano documentaries.New programs include Volcano Hunters,a program where two volcano specialists test their theory that volcanoes are affected by the tides,and Sole Survivor,a program that investigates an eruption on Mount Pelée in Martinique that killed all but one of the 27,000 residents.
Vampire Week
Oct.27 to 31 at 7pm ET
Join National Geographic Channel this Halloween for a week-long journey into the dark and mysterious world of vampires.Throughout the week vampire bats,squids and birds are examined,along with a unique look at the legend behind Dracula.
Kung Fu Fighting Week
Nov.24 to 28 at 10pm ET
Everybody loves kung fu fighting –including National Geographic Channel. This week features five captivating documentaries that examine the mysteries and legends of kung fu and the martial arts of Asia.Programs include Kung Fu Dragons of Wudang,Myths and Logic of Shaolin Kung Fu and T’aekwondo: Reflections on Korean Spirit.
Woof Week
Dec.7 to 12 at 7pm ET
National Geographic Channel goes to the dogs with a special week of canine documentaries that examine wild packs of wolves and jackals,and explores the domestication of the dog.Wolf Pack tells the story of one of the first packs of grey wolves to roam Yellowstone National Park in over 60 years;and Search for the First Dog documents how canine experts are chasing what may be the living relics of the first dogs.
DOCUMENTARIES
Eternal Animals
(Network Premiere)Oct.26 at 9pm ET
Eternal Animals is a one-hour program that delves into the history and science of animal preservation –from cutting edge techniques used to preserve today’s most beloved pets,to ancient methods and rituals.This program also investigates how the psychology of this unique phenomenon has changed over the ages and what compels people to immortalize their animals today.
Mankillers:Africa’s Giants
(Canadian Premiere)Nov.29 at 9pm ET
The elephant,rhino,buffalo and hippo may appear to be gentle,mild-mannered vegetarians but they kill more people in Africa than lions or crocodiles.Buffalo seek revenge upon aggressors.Elephants stampede.Rhino have poor vision but are blindly aggressive.Hippos have the reputation for taking the most human lives of all mammals.Victims and experts explain some of the truths and falsehoods about these deceptively brutal creatures.
Night Hunters
(Network Premiere)Nov.3 at 7pm ET
What do you see when the sun sets?The ability to see at night is a matter of life and death for many animals in the African wildlands.Which animals see best and why?Examine the science behind animal night vision,on Night Hunters.
Pacific Hell
(Network Premiere)Oct.4 at 9pm ET
The Pacific Ocean is one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the world. In 2001,arthritic,50-something,English businessman Jim Shekhdar,somehow managed to be the first person to cross the treacherous ocean alone in a boat. This unique film –shot by Shekhdar while braving sharks,hurricanes and supertankers –recounts how he succeeded where so many others failed.
Poison!
(Network Premiere)Sept.14 at 9pm ET
Nature’s poisons possess terrifying powers.Poison!relives the spine-chilling experiences of some who have survived life-threatening encounters with potentially deadly toxins.The documentary shows how,in the right hands,toxins can also be harnessed to fight a host of afflictions.
Search for the First Dog
(Network Premiere)Dec.2003
A long time ago,it’s said,our ancestors domesticated the wolf and created the dog.But how did this really happen?And what was the original dog?A new quest for answers has begun.Across the world,canine experts are chasing what may be the living relics of the first dogs.This documentary will air as part of Woof Week.
Tigers:Fighting Back
(Network Premiere)Oct.13 at 7pm ET
Across Asia the fight to save tigers is being waged on many fronts.Leading the charge are the intelligence gatherers:three men from three very different countries.Their mission is to understand tigers,and their weapon is science. But the challenge these biological detectives face is enormous because over the last century the numbers of tigers has plummeted.