Japanese public broadcaster NHK and Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera Childrens Channel (JCC) have signed a new co-production agreement to strengthen their collaboration on major offerings over the coming five years, in the fields of science, discovery, technology, environment, and education.
The two broadcasters have already enjoyed success with Discover Science, which was a co-production with NHK affiliate NHK Educational Corporation (NED). Discover Science is a new kind of science entertainment series that demonstrates scientific principles by showing them in action through mega-experiments. Creative visualization paired with NHKs latest shooting techniques yielded fascinating ways to understand scientific phenomena. Under the new agreement, NHK, JCC, and NED will discuss a sequel series.
Deep-Sea discoveries; Human Body in Extreme situation; Our Cells all are remarkable series of titles for which JCC will start by taking part in the Legends of the Deep, a global production underway between NHK/NHK Enterprises and Discovery Science Channel scheduled to air in 2012. The projects goals are to film the elusive giant squid in its natural habitat for the first time and to shed light on other exotic beasts inhabiting the unexplored ocean depths. The collaboration will be extended to other projects under progress such as the Cosmic Shore with focus on the boundary zone between Earths upper atmosphere and space an area that has long been elusive and difficult to capture on camera. Installing the next-generation ultra-high-sensitivity image-intensifier HD camera on the International Space Station, the project will give a completely new perspective on Earth and space.
Hidemi Hyuga, NHKs Executive Managing Director of Broadcasting, said after the signing ceremony in Qatar: NHK is very happy to partner with JCC. From the relationship that the NHK group has enjoyed with JCC over the years, we know that we share the same vision of contributing to the public good and striving for educational and cultural advancement. We look forward to working on various cutting-edge projects together.
Mahmoud Bouneb, Executive General Manager of Al Jazeera Childrens Channel (JCC), stated: This partnership with the NHK group comes in line with our mandate and ambitions to bring the best and most progressive content to our audience and contribute in shaping their way of life, and the way they view each component in their surroundings. We aim at producing cutting-edge programming that is valuable for teachers and students alike. We are pleased to team up again with a credible entity with which we share many of our values and aspirations. We are looking forward to a successful and productive partnership. Bouneb reiterated the importance of the support of Her Highness Sheikha Moza and Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, which gives JCC the means to be the only Arabic TV channel to venture in such high scale global productions.