National Geographic goes high-def

Relentless Enemies to be released on March 27 on HD DVD, Blu-ray

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 2/21/2007

FEB. 21 | Playing to its visual strengths, National Geographic has slated its first high-definition title, Relentless Enemies, for release on Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD on March 27.

The title also will be available on standard-definition DVD.

Shot on high-def film, Relentless Enemies follows lions and buffalo battling each other for survival in Botswana. It is priced at $34.99 on HD, $34.99 on BD, $19.99 on DVD (prebook Feb. 20). Warner Home Video will distribute.

The 90-minute Relentless Enemies first aired on the National Geographic Channel last year and was the network’s highest-rated natural history program to date.

National Geographic officials pointed to Beta Research’s national Beta Brand Identity Study, which surveyed 3,035 cable subscribers, as evidence that fans would like to see National Geographic programming in high-def.

For two straight years, the Study has shown that viewers have picked National Geographic as the network they most wanted to see deliver high-def content.

National Geographic debuted its high-def channel in January 2006.

“For decades, audiences have been drawn to National Geographic programming for its captivating stories and superb cinematography and audio that give viewers a front-row seat to undersea dives, high-altitude climbs and authentic animal behavior,” said Patricia Najda, VP at National Geographic Domestic Home Entertainment. “As such, we’re in a unique position to deliver the kind of material that caters to the HD/BD formats, and its audience will be looking for more opportunities to do so as the technology grows in popularity.”

No additional HD or BD releases are slated from National Geographic, but the company is promising more 2007 releases in both formats.