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Animal
Planet has announced a host of innovative programming initiatives
for the 2002-2003 upfront season. The network's diverse
schedule will feature more than 80 per cent original programming,
with special emphasis placed on its dramatic programming.
Animal Planet will also expand its original movie franchise
with six original movies anticipated this year.
The
network's first sitcom is anticipated this fall with the
premiere of Baaad Dog!. It is a sardonic dog's-eye-view
of a Los Angeles family struggling with the everyday challenges
of living together under one roof. The channel also enters
the field of computer animation for the first time with
The Future is Wild. The series explores the evolution
of animals far into the future based upon the predictions
of international scientists.
Sonya
Fitzpatrick is The Pet Psychic. The series chronicles
Sonya's amazing interaction with an array of animals and
humans who want to know what each other is thinking.
Animal
Planet claims that its original movie The Retrievers
shown last July was the network's highest-rated telecast
ever (7/31/01). Despite events that slowed the growth of
many American cable networks in the past months (9/11, Olympics,
etc.), Animal Planet showed gains during these tough times.
4Q01 primetime HH ratings grew 5% more than the previous
year, and 1Q02 ratings are currently 10% higher than the
same period last year to 0.58%.
Animal
Planet is projected to reach the 80 million household mark
in America by the end of the year, faster than any American
network in history, a company release states. This is a
far cry from the situation in India where the channel is
still trying to gain a foothold among audiences.
Other programmes that will air later in the year include
Alphonse Roy's Great cats of India Safari Special.
This Safari Special introduces viewers to Alphonse Roy,
India's leading wildlife cameraman. He attempts to capture
definitive documentary portraits of all of India's four
great cats - lion, tiger, leopard and the ever-elusive snow
leopard. Viewers follow Alphonse throughout the whole filmmaking
process, from the often-arduous journeys to remote locations,
to setting up specialised field equipment and, of course,
the actual filming. Along the way, viewers meet the many
friends and colleagues with whom Alphonse works: from local
feudal overlords and leading scientific experts to conservation
officers.
Black Mamba / Safari Special features the
Black Mamba which is believed to be the most aggressive
and fastest snake on earth. It's neurotoxic venom can kill
in a few minutes. This special follows Donald Strydom, a
Black Mamba specialist in South Africa, during the wet season
in Africa when snakes are active and they come into human
territory. Donald relocates the deadly snakes, while collecting
their venom for research.
One
of the films that will air on the channel is Grizzly
Falls. Bryan Brown stars as an internationally renowned
hunter and adventurer who takes his young son on a quest
to make the boy into a man and exorcise the demons of his
own past.
A
sport for dogs Superstar Challenge sees American
canine athletes descending upon Universal Studios. The competition
involves the events Agility, Aqualaunch and Dirt Dog.
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