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MUMBAI:
National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) has launched
Nat Geo Music, a 24-hour music channel. It will debut on 15
October in Italy on the Sky Platform to 4.2 million subscribers.
Securing
the support of multi-national labels, Nat Geo Music channel
will feature top artists from international as well as local
repertoires.
Nat
Geo Music’s label partners include EMI Arabia, Warner
Music Latin America, Sony/BMG Asia and Universal Italy. Following
the launch in Italy, further expansion of Nat Geo Music is
expected globally.
Nat
Geo Music celebrates diversity through music, connecting viewers
with other cultures through this universal language. Along
with major label partnerships, Nat Geo Music has also secured
deals with prominent independent labels such as Razor &
Tie, Because, Wrasse and Gallo Music Group. Featured artists
will include Grammy award-winner Ben Harper; Beninese chanteuse
and Grammy award-nominee Angelique Kidjo; and the acclaimed
Spanish band Ojos De Brujo.
NGCI
CEO David Haslingden says, “Nat Geo Music fills a significant
void in current conventional music offerings. With its international
scope, not only are viewers able to explore their world using
music as a vehicle, they are tuned in to ground-breaking sounds
that are transforming the industry globally”.
Nat
Geo Music takes its viewers on a musical journey around the
world, broadcasting music videos, concerts, interviews and
documentaries with a focus on stories that make music a vehicle
for a better understanding and appreciation of today’s
global community.
It
includes interviews with artists and Geo Sessions – 30-minute
programmes that feature intimate acoustic concerts with artists
like Ben Harper, Bebel Gilberto, K’naan, Michael Franti
and Gogol Bordello. The schedule will integrate music videos
with short clips that examine and celebrate the cultures behind
the music.
Primetime
scheduling blocks include:
--Place Jam– This is a weekly 60 minute ’ block
focussing on music from a specific country
--We
Love - This is a weekly block dedicated to artists and genres
that we love (e.g. We Love Reggae, We Love Caetano Veloso)
--Music
Nomad– This weekly block connects the spirit of travelling
to music
--Untz–
This is a Friday and Saturday night two-hour dance block
Nat
Geo Music complements the recent launch of the National Geographic's
Music and Radio unit – created to inspire people to care
about the planet through music. For much of its programming
and its events, the channel will partner with the National
Geographic’s Music and Radio as well as its National
Geographic Live! event group.
An
alternative to the mainstream, Nat Geo Music aims to be progressive
and experimental, highlighting ways in which local sounds
are evolving to influence artists from different backgrounds
and places.
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