National Geographic Channel has set its first ever “Earth Week,” TheWrap has learned exclusively — and its timing with the presidential election is no coincidence. (The one to Halloween is, however.)
The week’s worth of programming will include the Season 2 premiere of “Years of Living Dangerously,” which will mark David Letterman‘s (pictured above) return to television, and the debut of Leonardo DiCaprio‘s climate change documentary, “Before the Flood.”
The latter will air commercial free, several times. Watch the trailer for “Years of Living Dangerously” above.
“Truly great storytelling connects with audiences profoundly. This is especially true when it explores themes that transcend our differences and reflect universal values, like the human connection to the planet,” Courteney Monroe, CEO, National Geographic Global Networks told TheWrap. “And on the important topic of climate change, National Geographic, given its reach and reputation, is in the unique and enviable position to tell stories with real potential to make a difference in the world. That is why we are making a public and passionate commitment to a full week of programming on this topic, right before the election in the U.S.”
In addition to the linear offering, NGC will present “Earth Week” programming across multiple platforms, college screenings and film festivals, the company told us. The cable schedule is posted below.
Finally, to support the week’s worth of TV programming, National Geographic Education will showcase climate education resources and environmental service learning projects thematically linked to “Years of Living Dangerously” and “Before The Flood” on interactive platform Act on Climate, which will be published the third week of October.
Sunday, Oct. 30
7 p.m.: “America’s National Parks: Yellowstone”
8 p.m.: “Years of Living Dangerously: A Race Against Time” (Premiere)
9 p.m.: “Before the Flood” (Premiere, Commercial Free)
10:30 p.m.: “Before the Flood” (Encore, Commercial Free)
Monday, Oct. 31
7 p.m.: “Earth Under Water”
8 p.m.: “Explorer: Bill Nye’s Global Meltdown”
9 p.m.: “Before the Flood,” (Commercial Free)
10:30 p.m.: “Before the Flood,” (Commercial Free)
Tuesday, Nov. 1
7 p.m.: “Behind Russia’s Frozen Curtain”
8 p.m.: “Life Below Zero: Blindsided”
9 p.m.: “Life Below Zero: River of Rage” (Premiere)
10 p.m.: “Live Free Or Die: Tony & Amelia”
Wednesday, Nov. 2
7 p.m.: “Six Degrees Could Change The World”
9 p.m.: “Years of Living Dangerously: A Race Against Time”
10 p.m.: “Years of Living Dangerously: Gathering Storm” (Premiere)
Thursday, Nov. 3
7 p.m.: “Ice Bear”
8 p.m.: “Galapagos”
11 p.m.: “Amazon Underworld” (Premiere)
Friday, Nov. 4
6:30 p.m.: “America’s Wild Spaces: Death Valley”
7:30 p.m.: “Chasing Ice”
9 p.m.: “Before the Flood,” (Commercial Free)
10:30 p.m.: “Before the Flood,” (Commercial Free)