NBC UNIVERSAL CABLE NETWORKS JOIN TOGETHER WITH A FULL SLATE OF PROGRAMMING AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS EFFORTS TIED TO 'GREEN IS UNIVERSAL' INITIATIVE DURING NOVEMBER 4-10
BURBANK - October 23, 2007 - The cable networks of NBC Universal are showing their true colors during the unprecedented, company-wide "Green Is Universal" initiatve (November 4-10) with an environmental commitment featuring a full slate of ambitious eco-friendly programs and public affairs campaigns from Bravo, SCI FI, USA and Universal HD.
"We are using every NBC Universal Cable platform available to communicate the importance of environmental awareness," said Jeff Gaspin, President and COO, Universal Television Group. "From our fully distributed channels Bravo, SciFi and USA, to our Emerging Networks Chiller, Sleuth and Universal HD to our mobile channels NBC 2 Go and NBC News 2 Go, the entire group is getting behind this message."
Through its worldwide programming, specials and consumer-focused events, the week will focus NBC Universal's resources and efforts toward educating viewers, web and wireless users, and the company's employees on ecological issues and the impact on the environment.
In addition, the NBC network also will broadcast a block of "green-themed" programming during the week across all dayparts, including entertainment, daytime, news and sports.
Among NBC Universal's cable network entities, some of the week's plans include the following:
Bravo's programming on-air, online and on-wireless plans will feature specials and programs teaching viewers how to help the environment around them. On Tuesday, November 6, during the premiere of Bravo's hit series "Real Housewives of Orange County," eco-friendly pop-ups will be featured throughout the show educating viewers on how to live with less bling and with more green in their lives. Also, Bravo will purchase carbon off-sets to zero out the footprint from the "Real Housewives" premiere episode. On that same day, www.Bravotv.com will air the "Watch What Happens Green Special," a 30-minute live show hosted by Bravo programming executive Andy Cohen, highlighting some of Bravo's favorite talent (including designer Todd Oldham) who are leaders in the fashion, food and design industry, discussing how they embrace greener living.
Beginning Monday, November 5, Bravotv.com will host a "Go Green Treasure Hunt," where users are given a daily "green question," asked to hunt around the site for the answer and then can enter to win an eco-friendly prize. The site also will include a photo gallery showcasing celebrities who support green initiatives and blogs from Bravo talent providing eco-friendly tips. On wireless for the month of November, users can text the word "GREEN" to 27286 to receive three green text message tips per week from various Bravo personalities -- including a green tip on food, beauty, design, fashion or pop culture. Plus, throughout Green Week, Bravo will be airing green programming including the special "Big Ideas for a Small Planet," as well as vignettes produced by Sundance with green tips and ways to help the environment that will air in between regularly scheduled programs.
SCI FI will showcase green storylines in original programming including a green-themed episode of "Flash Gordon" on Friday, November 9. On Wednesday, November 7, a marathon of the popular dramedy series "Eureka" will feature "Eureka" moments with energy conservation messages. In addition, green-themed movie marathons will run on Monday, November 5 and Saturday, November 11. SCI FI's public affairs campaign, "Visions for Tomorrow," which fosters an optimistic view of the future, will unveil the results of its national "Eureka Smart House" energy conservation sweepstakes in partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy.
USA will use its airtime as a national platform to recognize a character driven eco-movement, and through the character-brand lens will customize on-air and online assets by creating programming wraps and vignettes that celebrate individuals who are making a difference to help save the environment. Jeffrey Donovan, star of USA's hit series "Burn Notice," will appear in the heralded NBC public service announcement "The More You Know," with a message to raise awareness about pollution. USA will also customize the ever-popular new logo to turn "green" and will take a twist on the "Characters Welcome" messaging with "Environmentalists Welcome."
Likewise, there will be a special green edition of "Character Road Trip" that will feature Thomas M. Kostigen, co-author of New York Times bestseller "The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet, One Small Step at a Time." Also included will be a unique green edition of "Character Fantasy" that will feature eco-minded couture designer Deborah Lindquist (who has dressed trendsetters such as Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton), who will help coach an aspiring fashion designer on how to use eco-friendly fabrics in their design.
Universal HD, NBC Universal's premier high-definition channel, will offer green-related programming, special on-air promotions and online activities, each to help further awareness of the green movement. Throughout the week of November 5 during primetime, Uni HD will showcase the beauty of nature with its "Green Movies" in addition to airing the "Jeep World of Adventure Sports," featuring carbon-neutral sports. Also, viewers can catch Sundance Channel on Universal HD, showcasing "Iconoclasts" and "Big Ideas for a Small Planet." The week culminates on Friday, November 9 with the original special "Green is Universal," Sundance's "Big Ideas for a Small Planet" marathon, "Live Earth Green Shorts," and once again, the "Jeep World of Adventure Sports." Woven through the programming will be special Green Tips, public service announcements from the recent "Live Earth" concert, and public service announcements from NBC's "The More You Know" campaign highlighting the eco-movement. In addition, the Uni HD website will have an exclusive micro-site featuring green tips and links to other green resources.
About NBC Universal
NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May, 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.
About NBC Universal Cable
NBC Universal Cable, a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's preeminent media companies, drives the company's cable strategic development and growth including video-on-demand, pay-per-view, HDTV and retransmission consent, and oversees the cable distribution, marketing and local ad sales of fourteen properties (Bravo, CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, mun2, NBC Weather Plus, Sci-Fi, ShopNBC, Telemundo, Telemundo Puerto Rico, Trio, Universal HD, USA and the Olympics on cable). NBC Universal Cable also directs and manages the company's cable and new media investments including A&E, The History Channel, History Channel International, The Biography Channel, National Geographic International, the Sundance Channel and Tivo.
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