ITV

Tag: skeleton

  • NGC’s discovery of ancient dwarf human species

    NGC’s discovery of ancient dwarf human species

    MUMBAI: One of National Geographic Channel’s (NGC) major programming initiatives for next year will revolve around dwarfs.

    The network will air a special globally early next year that will feature the discovery of a new species of ancient dwarf humans on Flores, East Indonesia

    These 18,000-year-old skeletal remains represent an expansion of our understanding related to the origins of modern man. The new species, Homo floresiensis, whose full grown height was approximately that of a modern three-year-old child, is thought to have lived 18,000 years ago and may have survived to more recent times.

    The find demonstrates that the range of human diversity in the recent past was much greater than previously believed. The partial skeleton, discovered at a cave site called Liang Bua, belonged to an individual who, while fully adult, was barely a meter tall and had a skull the size of a grapefruit.
     

    Meanwhile in the US NGC is providing the Washington, D.C. bureaus of all major U.S. networks and news services with a 10-minute long Electronic Press Kit (EPK) featuring footage from the as yet untitled special, branded with the network’s logo.
    The EPK includes footage of the site and fossils, as well as sound bites from scientists.

    The new findings have excited researchers with its implications. If unexpected branches of humanity are still being found today, and lived so recently, then who knows what else might be out there? The species’ diminutive stature indicates that humans are subject to the same evolutionary forces that made other mammals shrink to dwarf size when in genetic isolation and under ecological pressure, such as on an island with limited resources.

    Meanwhile NGC US has announced that the special Inside the US Secret Service which aired on 24 October gave it the highest prime rating in the network’s history — both in households and demographics.

    3.7 million Americans watched the special. This more than doubled the broadcaster’s previous record number of viewers for the 7 June airing of Return to Titanic.

    In Households the secret service special outrated Discovery, Travel Channel, Animal Planet and Fox News Channel among others for the 8-10 pm slot.

  • BBC to provide interactive view of Winter Olympics

    BBC to provide interactive view of Winter Olympics

    The BBC is launching the first ever live, interactive Olympic Games from Salt Lake City, Utah next month. From 8 to 25 February, digital interactive viewers will have access to information and pictures on the events they want to see throughout the Winter Games.

    The BBC will have daily coverage from late afternoon when the days events commence in the US, which continues through the night. Digital interactive viewers will also be able to access highlights of all the days action through BBCi the following day as video or text. 

    During live broadcasts, Digital Satellite (Sky) viewers will be prompted to press the Red Key to access a multiscreen with the options of Grandstand, plus two additional streams of live events at the Games, such as the adrenalin of the Skeleton or the grace of Ice Dancing. Viewers can select the event they want, or even watch all three. An updated schedule of events and the medal table is available through the Blue Key. During non-broadcast hours the interactive service will be available through pressing the Text button on the handset. 

    Digital Terrestrial (itvDigital) and Digital Cable (ntl and Telewest) viewers will receive a text based service alongside a live screen with current BBC pictures. The service will include details of medal winners and overall medal table, the schedule of forthcoming action, a “Guide to the Games” explaining some of the more unorthodox sports and expert analysis from former Olympians and BBC pundits, Graham Bell and Robin Cousins.

    Head of Interactive TV Scott Gronmark said: “The multi-event format of the Olympics is perfect for providing simultaneous picture streams interactively. It gives viewers the power to choose which events they watch, as well as adding to the appeal of the Winter Games for a greater number of winter sports enthusiasts. The other terrific service were offering interactive viewers is next day highlights of action which took place in the middle of the night. This way, viewers can catch up on key events when it suits them – its all about choice and flexibility.”

    For news, events schedule and medal table information, plus interactive games visit www.bbc.co.uk/winterolympics