NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ACQUIRES CABLE SYNDICATION RIGHTS OF NBCUNIVERSAL’S “RUNNING WILD WITH BEAR GRYLLS”
National Geographic to Air First Three Seasons of Hit Series Beginning Oct. 26
National Geographic is literally Running Wild With Bear Grylls. The network announced today that it has acquired the exclusive U.S. cable syndication rights of NBC’s popular hit series featuring Bear Grylls, famed adventurer and survivalist who takes celebrities into the most remote and wild locations in the U.S. and around the world for a 48-hour extreme survival journey of a lifetime. National Geographic will air the first three seasons of Running Wild With Bear Grylls starting Oct. 26. The network also has the first option to air additional seasons of the series produced by Bear Grylls Ventures and Electus, should they be greenlit by NBC.
“Running Wild With Bear Grylls is incredibly complementary to our pursuit of programming and talent that support the very best of what audiences expect from National Geographic,” said Christian Drobnyk, executive vice president, programming strategy and acquisitions for National Geographic Channels. “No one makes adventure and survival more surprising, entertaining and informative than Bear Grylls, so it’s the perfect marriage of expert talent with one of the world’s most trusted brands.”
“National Geographic is a perfect fit for Running Wild With Bear Grylls, and we are happy to expand the show’s audience to include Nat Geo fans,” stated Bruce Casino, executive vice president, NBCUniversal Television and New Media Distribution.
With Grylls as their survival guide, the celebrities endure the harsh wilderness in high-octane, action-based and empowering journeys spread over six remote locations, pushing both their minds and bodies to the limits to successfully complete their journeys.
Season One (Begins airing weekly Oct. 26 – episodes will air out of order)
The celebrities who will be partnered one-on-one with Grylls in their own stand-alone episodes include actor Zac Efron, actor-director Ben Stiller, actor Channing Tatum, NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, actor Tom Arnold and broadcast journalist Tamron Hall.
Season highlights range from skydiving into the Catskill Mountains to repelling down the cliffs of Utah and battling the notorious torrential winds and rain of Scotland.
Season Two
Joining the renowned survivalist for season two are Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, Oscar nominee Kate Hudson, Super Bowl-winning QB Drew Brees, Emmy nominee and “Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, actor Ed Helms, actress Michelle Rodriguez and award-winning film and television actors James Marsden and Michael B. Jordan.
This season the series will take viewers from the jungles of Panama and the far reaches of the Italian Alps and to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and Utah’s Red Rocks. The intrepid cast members will face their deepest fears and tackle everything from skydiving to rappelling as they journey through some of the world’s most unforgiving wildernesses.
Season Three
Joining the renowned survivalist for season three is Screen Actors Guild Award-winning actress Courteney Cox; actress, dancer and Emmy award-winning choreographer Julianne Hough; stage and screen actress and singer Vanessa Hudgens; triple-platinum recording artist and actor Nick Jonas; NFL Super Bowl champion Marshawn Lynch; alpine skier and Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn; Shaquille O’Neal; and more.
Grylls will take viewers from the remote African savannah and mountain passes of the Sierra Nevada to the wilds of Ireland and rocky shores of Corsica.
Running Wild With Bear Grylls is produced by Bear Grylls Ventures and Electus. NBCUniversal Television and New Media Distribution is the distributor and managed the rights agreement. (Nat Geo | JD)
The Nat Geo acquisition expands the reach and revenue of Running Wild With Bear Grylls, potentially playing a key role in the show’s Season 4 renewal prospects. Stay tuned…
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