Sundance Channel Re-Ups With Scout Productions for Season 2 of Eco-Series 'Big Ideas for a Small Planet(TM)' 13-Part Series to Premiere April 2008

Interstitial Series "Ecoists(TM)" and "Eco-Biz(TM)" Also Greenlit for Season 2

Season 2 of BBC Series "It's Not Easy Being Green(TM)" Acquired for 2008

NEW YORK, July 17 -- Laura Michalchyshyn, Sundance Channel EVP and GM Programming and Creative Affairs announced today that Sundance Channel has ordered second seasons of the series "Big Ideas for a Small Planet," as well as interstitial series "Eco-Biz" and "Ecoists." In addition the network has acquired the U.S. rights to the second season of the BBC series "It's Not Easy Being Green."

Scout Productions has signed on to produce season two of "Big Ideas for a Small Planet," the 13-part series that features the innovators and innovations on the cutting edge of the environmental revolution. The series first launched with THE GREEN on April 17, 2007.

"THE GREEN is a year-round commitment for Sundance Channel," stated Michalchyshyn. "In addition to the dozens of documentary films and other short form programming we air, we continue to slot in new series to keep the block current and fresh."

"'Big Ideas for a Small Planet' really resonated with our viewers and the environmental community as an entertaining, solution-based series," Michalchyshyn continued. "Scout did a fantastic job of gathering 39 inspirational stories and packaged them thematically into 13 extremely watchable half-hour episodes. We are confident that they will be able to create equally upbeat and aspirational second season for Sundance Channel."

"The first season was just the tip of the (melting) iceberg of terrific stories about the dedicated movers and shakers on the environmental front," say Executive Producer Michael Williams of Scout Productions.

Sundance Channel has also re-upped a deal with kontentreal to produce "Ecoists." These one-minute interstitial and online pieces feature some of today's most active and recognizable environmental activists as they share ideas, information and enthusiasm about their cause of choice. The line up for the 2007 "Ecoists" included Robert Kennedy Jr., Daryl Hannah, Woody Harrelson, Laird Hamilton, and Amber Valleta.

NBC Media Productions will again produce a series of pieces titled "Eco- Biz". These news segments profile business leaders who have developed environmentally sustainable policies and innovative eco-friendly business tactics which ultimately have had a positive impact on the bottom line.

The first season of "It's Not Easy Being Green" followed the lives of the Strawbridge family as they moved to a neglected farmhouse with three acres in Cornwall, with aims of becoming a modern self-sustaining household. In season two Dick Strawbridge, his son James, and friend Jim will travel around England helping other people to go green and go organic. Both seasons of "It's Not Easy Being Green" were produced by the BBC and acquired from BBC Worldwide.

"Big Ideas for a Small Planet" is a documentary series presenting the forward-thinking designers, products and processes that are on the leading edge of a new green world. Each episode revolves around a different green theme as it spotlights a specific innovator or innovation that has the potential to transform our everyday lives. The individuals profiled range from scientists to fashion and product designers, entrepreneurs to first-time inventors. The series also features a cast of recurring expert commentators, including activists, scientists, writers, and environmental personalities who provide the big-picture context to each week's stories.

"Big Ideas for a Small Planet" is executive produced by Michael Williams, David Collins and David Metzler from Scout Productions and is overseen for Sundance Channel by Senior Vice President, Original Programming and Development Lynne Kirby and Director, Original Programming and Development Samuel J. Paul.

With the international success of the Emmy Award winning "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" (Bravo/NBCU) Scout has evolved from a small film and television production company into a dynamic collective of award-winning media pioneers. Under the leadership of founders and principals David Collins and Michael Williams, Scout has maintained its commitment to "important stories, well told." Scout's alternative and scripted projects have had a dynamic range and include the long-running ABC Family series "Knock First", Errol Morris' "The Fog of War" for which Williams won an Academy Award and the upcoming Brad Anderson feature "TransSiberian."

Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, uncompromising and irreverent, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries, shorts and original programs, all unedited and commercial free. Launched in 1996, Sundance Channel is a venture of NBC Universal, Showtime Networks Inc. and Robert Redford. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression. Sundance Channel's website address is http://www.sundancechannel.com.

SOURCE Sundance Channel
http://www.sundancechannel.com