National Geographic moves into factual entertainment with Dizzy deal

Nat Geo has inked a joint venture deal with Touch productions and will launch factual entertainment formats. The JV will operate under the Dizzy Earth moniker and the first fact-ent formats will launch at MIP TV next week.

National Geographic Ventures International (NGVI), the distribution arm of National Geographic, and UK indie Touch (Taking on Tyson, Body in Numbers) said that Dizzy Earth will go beyond creating and distributing formats and will make content across various genres for digital platforms as well as TV.

Malcolm Brinkworth, Dizzy Earth cofounder and CEO of Touch Productions said: “Dizzy Earth will be creating and managing new IP and stepping outside of the traditional boundaries of production companies to hopefully redefine what it means to be a contemporary content business. Dizzy Earth will explore every potential exploitation avenue for new and re-purposed ideas, ensuring we reach the best possible audience.”

Touch and NGVI have worked together before and Maurice van Sabben, Dizzy Earth cofounder and president of NGVI said: “Our common approach and desire to do something different with the assets we hold between us is garnering early interest and we are confident that MIP TV will represent the perfect launch pad for our first ideas.”