Sundance Channel Greenlights Environmental Series Hosted by Eco-Adventurer David de Rothschild
Eight-Part Series Produced by NBC's Peacock Productions to Premiere In 2009
NEW YORK, Aug. 8 -- Sundance Channel EVP and GM, Laura
Michalchyshyn today announced that the network will move forward with
production on the eight-part series, titled "Eco-Trip: The Real Cost of
Living." Hosted by environmentalist David de Rothschild, founder of
Adventure Ecology, the series, slated to premiere in 2009, will trace the
origins and environmental impact of common everyday products such as a
cotton t-shirt or a gold ring. "Eco-Trip" is produced by NBC's Peacock
Productions ("The Education of Ms. Groves," "In His Own Words: Brian
Williams on Hurricane Katrina," "Global Warming: What You Need to Know"),
Sharon Scott is the executive in charge, Colleen Halpin is the executive
producer, and Remy Weber is the director. "Eco-Trip" is sponsored by
Subaru.
Each of the one-half hour episodes will trace the eco-life of an
everyday item such as a cotton t-shirt, salmon, a cell phone or a bottle of
water from production to disposal, revealing the environmental, social and
health effects along the way. With host David de Rothschild, founder of
Adventure Ecology -- an organization that uses adventure and storytelling
to captivate the imagination, raise global mass media awareness and inspire
individuals, communities and industry to take positive action for our
planet -- the series will include a pro-active component, educating viewers
on the decisions they can make to live a greener lifestyle.
Michalchyshyn commented, "David has a wonderfully engaging and
inquisitive personality that will charm Sundance Channel viewers as they
travel with him to learn about the impact that the production of everyday
objects has on our health and on our planet. And once again we are
delighted to be working with the team at Peacock Productions." She
continued, "This series reflects Sundance Channel's ongoing commitment to
creating entertaining and enlightening eco-programming further building on
the success of THE GREEN."
David de Rothschild's commitment to the environment has sent him to
some of the world's most remote and fragile regions. In 2006 he spent over
100 days attempting to cross the Arctic from Russia to Canada, which saw
him become one of only 42 people, and the youngest British person ever to
reach both geographical poles. Prior to his 2006 'Top of the World Arctic
Expedition', he had already become one of only 14 people ever to traverse
the continent of Antarctica. 2009 will see David cross the Pacific from San
Francisco to Sydney in a boat built from plastic bottles and recycled
materials. This expedition has the working title of "The Plastiki" in
homage to Thor Heyerdal's Kontiki Expedition. The aim of the expedition is
to draw attention to rethinking our everyday human fingerprints on the
natural world and to capture the world's imagination by telling the story
of the pioneering, smart and sustainable design process of creating and
building The Plastiki, to our oceans and the many challenges it and its
inhabitants face.
The Executive Producers of "Eco-trip" for Sundance Channel are Laura
Michalchyshyn and Lynne Kirby; Ann Rose is the Supervising Producer.
Benjamin Ringe and Knute Walker are co-executive producers for NBC's
Peacock Productions.
About Sundance Channel:
Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is the
television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something
different. Bold, imaginative and uncompromising, Sundance Channel offers
audiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries, and
original programs, all unedited and commercial free. Launched in 1996,
Sundance Channel is subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC. 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.
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems
Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted,
multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some
of the world's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including
AMC, IFC, WE tv, Sundance Channel, Lifeskool, sportskool, and VOOM HD
Networks. Through IFC Entertainment, Rainbow Media also owns and manages
the following: IFC Films, a leading distribution company for independent
film; IFC Productions, a feature film production company that provides
financing for select independent film projects; and IFC Center, a three
screen, state-of-the-art cinema in the heart of New York's Greenwich
Village. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation,
its advertising sales company; Rainbow Network Communications, its full
service network programming origination and distribution company; and 11
Penn TV, a company that manages Rainbow Media's NYC studios and
post-production facilities.
About Peacock Productions
Peacock Productions is NBC's award-winning, nonfiction production
company that combines the editorial expertise, technical resources and
seasoned production talent of NBC News to offer a wide-range of programming
to broadcast, cable and digital entities with worldwide reach. For more
information, please visit: http://www.peacockproductions.tv.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company
markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts
and accessories through a network of approximately 600 dealers across the
United States. Subaru makes the best-selling All-Wheel Drive car sold in
America based on R.L. Polk & Co. new vehicle retail registration
statistics. For additional information visit http://www.subaru.com.
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