NHK and Science Channel Partner on Multi-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Co-Production to Film the Elusive Giant Squid, In Its Natural Habitat, for the Very First Time

NHK and Science Channel Partner on Multi-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Co-Production to Film the Elusive Giant Squid, In Its Natural Habitat, for the Very First Time

Atlantic Productions to Produce the English Language Versions of GIANT SQUID: LAST MYSTERY OF THE DEEP

CANNES, France, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- NHK, NHK Enterprises, Science Channel and Atlantic Productions have teamed up for the largest-ever international quest for a living giant squid. Though scientists have tried for decades to find this creature in its natural habitat, researchers have had but the merest glimpse of this notoriously reclusive animal. Through a new multi-million dollar expedition, scientists will study, for the first time, Architeuthis dux in its native environment and viewers around the world will see the last great leviathan of the deep.

NHK's Executive Managing Director, Hidemi Hyuga, expressed his excitement on behalf of both NHK and NHK Enterprises, which is their biggest production arm, "This is the start of a dream-come-true venture for NHK. We have long been in pursuit of the giant squid and have caught glimpses of it in the past 10 years, but we have never succeeded in filming it in its natural habitat. With our partnership with the Science Channel, I am convinced that this ambitious project is in the hands of an ideal team."

"We are proud to partner with NHK on this impressive and exciting adventure to the deep ocean home of the giant squid," said Clark Bunting, president and general manager, Discovery Emerging Networks. "The research, technology and expertise brought together for this endeavor give us the best shot ever of finding and filming the giant squid in action and we look forward to working with other broadcasters around the world on this important project."

Scheduled to air in 2012, the global production will result in a multi-part special following the incredible technological and scientific effort required to find and film the giant squid, in cooperation with marine biologist and giant squid expert Dr. Tsunemi Kubodera. The program will also explore the other exotic and unusual beasts inhabiting this largely unexplored deep sea region. Bringing the recesses of the ocean vividly to life, the special will showcase other nearly unknown creatures including the mysterious mega-mouth shark and a predator that resembles a 350 million year old sea serpent. These unusual ecosystems will be unveiled in vivid detail for the first time in GIANT SQUID: LAST MYSTERY OF THE DEEP.

Measuring over 30 feet long, with enormous tentacles equipped with serrated suckers and a razor sharp beak, a live giant squid has been filmed only once before, by a research team led by Dr. Kubodera in 2006, who saw and filmed an ailing creature on the surface of the sea. Previously, in 2004, Dr. Kubodera was on the scientific team that first captured live images of a giant squid attacking bait.

Using the latest in submersible technology, including cameras specially designed for these expeditions, scientists believe they now have a new lure for the mysterious animal. A companion high-tech submersible support ship, equipped with millions of dollars of specialized equipment designed for this mission, is capable of completing dozens of dives in the search for the marine creature. Additional camera power will come from deep sea fixed position cameras as well as unique pressure-resistant cameras affixed with extremely strong suction cups to the backs of whales. A deep rover submersible will allow scientists to explore previously unstudied depths.

GIANT SQUID: LAST MYSTERY OF THE DEEP is produced by NHK/NHK Enterprises and Science Channel in association with Atlantic Productions. For NHK, Hiromichi Iwasaki of NHK Enterprises is executive producer. For Science Channel Wyatt Channell is executive producer, Debbie Myers is general manager and Clark Bunting is president, Discovery Emerging Networks. For Atlantic Productions, Anthony Geffen is executive producer.

About NHK/NHK Enterprises

NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) is Japan's public broadcaster. Funded entirely by receiving fees from Japanese households, it has a reputation for impartial, high-quality programming. Through its five nationwide TV channels, NHK reaches about 50 million households. NHK Enterprises (NEP) is NHK's biggest program production affiliate. Through commission and co-production, NEP makes a vast number of NHK programs in various genres including natural history.

About Science Channel

Science Channel is broadcast 24 hours a day and seven days a week to more than 57 million U.S. homes and simulcast on Science Channel HD. We immerse viewers in the incredible possibilities of science, from string theory and futuristic cities to accidental discoveries and outrageous inventions. We take things apart, peer inside and put things together in new and unexpected ways. We celebrate the trials, errors and brinking moments that change our lives forever. To find out more go to sciencechannel.com.

About Atlantic Productions

Atlantic Productions is one of the world's leading factual production companies whose films have been seen around the world. Atlantic's award-winning and acclaimed films include 'Jerusalem: City of Heaven', 'Nefertiti: Resurrected', 'Predator X', 'Egypt Unwrapped' and 'The Link'.

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Source: Science Channel

CONTACT: Marina Iwamura, International PR for NHK, +81 3 5455 2459,
iwamura.m-gc@nhk.or.jp; or Cecelia Bender, +1-240-463-5325,
Cecelia_bender@discovery.com, or Kristin Brown, +1-240-662-5415,
Kristin_brown@discovery.com, both for Science Channel

Web Site: http://science.discovery.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment