National Geographic Channel (DStv 260) is preparing a brand-new Titanic TV special, Titanic: Final Word with James Cameron that will be broadcast in April 2012, along with another documentary film by Bob Ballard, Save the Titanic.
National Geographic Channel's Titanic: Final Word with James Cameron, a 2 hour special documentary, will mean that there will be now at least two must-see duelling documentaries in or around 12 April 2012 on the 100th anniversary of the launch, maiden-voyage and fateful sinking of the luxury liner.
In October I reported RIGHT here when Discovery Channel (DStv 121) announced a Titanic TV special for April 2012) which would be filled with special-effects and which will also be shown as part of the 100th anniversary of the famous White Star Line ship.
ALSO READ: Special report: Why 2012 will be a Titanic year for television in drama and documentaries (oh, and at the movies).
Titanic: Final Word with James Cameron will look at and trace the reasons why the Titanic sank with the help of historians, architects and a crew of engineers. It wil be shown on the National Geographic Channel in conjunction with Bob Ballard's new documentary film Save the Titanic that will be looking at the sunken ships remains, what's left of it, how what is left is in danger, and how it should be protected.
Titanic: The Final Word with James Cameron features some of the world's leading experts on the Titanic in a forensic investigation into the science behind what sank the ship on its maiden voyage. James Cameron's epic film Titanic from 1997 is also getting a 3D version for release in April 2012.
Save the Titanic with Bob Ballard follows the iconic explorer, who was part of the team that discovered the ship in 1985, as he retraces the steps of the people who set sail on that journey. Ballard also renews his quest to protect the resting place of the Titanic for another 100 years.
Both these National Geographic Channel specials will be shown in 380 million homes in 165 countries in April 2012, says the channel.
''National Geographic is the only institution in the world with the resources to fully honour this important anniversary,'' says Tim Kelly, the president of the National Geographic Society in a press statement about the Titanic TV specials.
''National Geographic Channel is in the unique position of being the only network in the world fortunate enough to partner with arguably the two most respected authorities on the Titanic - the man who found her and has dedicated many years of his distinguished career to protecting her, and the man who, along with transforming the disaster into a Hollywood blockbuster, has also made more than 30 trips to the bottom of the ocean to study her,'' says Michael Cascio, the executive vice president of programming at the National Geographic Channel.
''I have no doubt that these films will go down as the definitive documentaries on the subject,'' says Michael Cascio.
