NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL BEATS THE HEAT THIS JULY WITH THREE COOL SUMMER ADVENTURE SERIES PREMIERES

Escape to a Remote Island, Raft Down a Rushing River and Set Out on the High Seas with Men and Women Who Survive and Thrive in Extreme Climates

Returning Series Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks Premieres Sunday, July 19, at 9/8c

New Series Port Protection - From Producers of NGC's Hit Series Life Below Zero - Premieres Sunday, July 19, at 10/9c

New Series Yukon River Run Premieres Monday, July 20, at 9/8c

(Washington, D.C. - June 25, 2015) While the heat index rises in most of the country and the dog days of summer set in, National Geographic Channel (NGC) launches three series this July that will have viewers chilling out in no time. Whether setting up camp on a remote island surrounded by the freezing waters of southeast Alaska, traveling down the mighty Yukon River on a lumber raft or battling bluefin tuna on the choppy Atlantic seas off North Carolina, the men and women featured in these shows wage a constant battle with extreme climates to make ends meet and protect their livelihood.

Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks

On the heels of its fourth and highest-rated season of flagship hit series Wicked Tuna, NGC once again pits Gloucester's finest against the best Southern fishermen in the second season of exciting spinoff series Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, premiering Sunday, July 19, at 9/8c. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com/wickedtuna and follow us on Twitter (@NGC_PR and @WickedTuna) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WickedTunaTV).

Winter has descended upon New England, and the bluefin tuna have headed south to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Several of Gloucester's top fishermen decide to double down on their chances and follow the fish south. When it comes to commercial fishing in the Outer Banks, there's no such thing as Southern hospitality, and the captains from both Gloucester and the Outer Banks are in for a wild ride as they fight extremely rough seas, high winds and erratic currents in a race to catch fish before the government catch quota is met.

Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks includes fan favorite and fourth-season Wicked Tuna champion Captain Dave Marciano (@CaptMarciano) and first mate Jay Muenzner of the Hard Merchandise; the young, hot-headed Captain Tyler McLaughlin (@PinWheelFV) and Co-Captain Paul Hebert (@PissahTunaPaul) of the Pinwheel; and Captain TJ Ott (@tjHOTTUNA) of the Hot Tuna. The Gloucester captains will fish against four highly skilled Carolina fishermen: Captain Greg Mayer (@FishinFrenzy), last season's champion and captain of the Fishin' Frenzy; Captain Britton Shackelford (@DoghouseFVOBX) of the Doghouse; and two new competitors: local legend Charlie "Griff" Griffin of the Reels of Fortune, and Captain Tami Gray of the Reel Action, who helms the series' first all-female boat.

Port Protection

Following the premiere of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks comes a new series from Adjacent Productions (producers of NGC's hit series Life Below Zero), Port Protection, premiering Sunday, July 19, at 10/9c. The remote, fog-shrouded community of Port Protection is tucked into the northwest corner of Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, and surrounded by the freezing waters of the North Pacific. A small band of extraordinary people push the limits of survival, living an isolated and risky life of self-reliance with no roads, no government and no cops.

Facing rugged and unforgiving land and cold and stormy seas, the tight-knit community of less than 100 people must hunt, fish, trap, grow their own food and build their own shelter. But for this tiny village, the risk is worth the reward: a world with the security of community without the constraints of bureaucracy.

Yukon River Run

Finally, NGC ventures deep into the Alaskan wilderness with a group of brave adventurers who descend upon the mighty Yukon River on log rafts each year to make a living by selling wood and supplies to remote villages along the riverbank. In each episode of new adventure series Yukon River Run, premiering Monday, July 20, at 9/8c, three different crews are faced with the challenge of navigating the dangerous Yukon River while competing against the elements and each other in hopes of earning a reasonable living ... and making it out alive.

Danger lurks behind every bend, but survival is all in a day's work for these Alaskans, who are not only competing against each other but also against the quickly approaching harsh winter months. These raft crews are taking on the challenge of a lifetime to support their families as well as their taste for adventure, but as the impending freeze threatens both safety and success, the stakes are heightened as they endeavor to cash out and escape the cold alive.

Premiere Episodes Include...

Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks: First Strike Premieres Sunday, July 19, 2015, at 9/8c It's opening day of the Outer Banks bluefin season, and the captains battle it out to make the season's first catch. Captain Charlie "Griff" Griffin may be new to the competition, but he's a legend in these waters. Griff, who fishes alongside his son, manages to form a friendship with Gloucester captain Dave Marciano of the Hard Merchandise. Despite the competition, Griff offers to help Marciano navigate the treacherous currents that run through Oregon Inlet as boats pass under Bonner Bridge. It's a dangerous gamble: If they make it through they'll reach the fishing grounds, but one wrong move could end both their seasons.

Port Protection: Between Water and Wolves Premieres Sunday, July 19, 2015, at 10/9c Resourcefulness is key to survival in Port Protection, and for 56-year resident Sam that means making the most of what he's got. He sets out to elongate the wear of his boots using mink oil - but first he must find and trap the minks. Gary heads to the shore to forage for sustenance, but extreme tides come only twice a month, so he must act quickly to find his dinner. Meanwhile, couple Hans and Timbi are determined to turn their property into a working farm, but recent injuries create a setback and they must rely on others in the community for help.

Yukon River Run: Profit or Peril Premieres Monday, July 20, 2015, at 9/8c On Alaska's Yukon River, three raft crews each begin preparations for a trek downstream to sell goods to native villages. Each raft, made from wood collected from logs and timber, will serve as their home and, ultimately, profit for the next five weeks. The first crew, led by Neil Eklund, begins its raft building and search for wood. The next two crews follow close behind him, but tensions arise as the competition for profit begins. These three crews must make money fast before winter ends all their efforts.

All three series will premiere on Nat Geo Mundo this fall and will premiere globally on National Geographic Channel in more than 432 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter at @NatGeoChannel @NGC_PR and Instagram (@natgeochannel).

Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks is produced for National Geographic Channels by Pilgrim Studios. For Pilgrim Studios, executive producers are Craig Piligian and Mike Nichols. For National Geographic Channels, executive producer is Robert Palumbo; senior vice president of programming and development is Alan Eyres; and president, original programming and production is Tim Pastore.

Port Protection is produced by Adjacent Productions for National Geographic Channels. For Adjacent Productions, executive producers are Travis Shakespeare and Jane Tranter, and executive in charge of production is Debby Reid Vigna. For National Geographic Channels, executive producer and vice president, development and production is Kevin Tao Mohs; and president, original programming and production is Tim Pastore.

Yukon River Run is produced for National Geographic Channels by Gurney Productions. For Gurney Productions, executive producers are Scott Gurney and Deirdre Gurney, and co-executive producers are Rick Sasson, Adam Flacks and Joseph Quigley. For National Geographic Channels, executive producer and vice president, development and production is Kevin Tao Mohs; and president, original programming and production is Tim Pastore.

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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.