Breakthrough Companion Site Launches
National Geographic Channel today launched the second-screen companion experience for the upcoming series BREAKTHROUGH, developed by National Geographic Channel and GE.
Breakthrough was designed in collaboration with digital agency NeoPangea, the site uses an advanced real-time 3D engine to create a virtual-reality-inspired experience that allows visitors to freely explore the revolutionary breakthroughs that are changing our world. For more information, visit our press room at foxflash.com.
Designed to give viewers an even closer look at the cutting-edge innovations and advancements seen in the show, the site is presented in six parts, reflecting topics explored in each episode of the series: water, pandemics, cyborg technology, energy, longevity and brain science. Each section highlights three to four breakthroughs from the show with in-depth interviews, animated infographics and more. Additionally, each topic area includes a look at the future implications of these breakthroughs via interviews with futurists, sci-fi authors, topic experts and science celebrities like Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye.
“We wanted to create an immersive experience that evoked the cutting-edge science from the show,” said Matt Zymet, executive director, digital media. “The virtual-reality-inspired 3-D interface encourages exploration while the interviews with experts on future implications take users beyond what they’ll see on TV.”
BREAKTHROUGH is brought to life through an interface that immerses the user in a futuristic environment of floating data, surrounded by portals that lead to in-depth explorations of each topic. Built as a mobile-first multiplatform experience, the site meets users at the screen of their choice, offering a robust experience on desktop, tablets, and smartphones. On mobile devices, it makes use of the onboard gyroscope to offer fluid, virtual-reality-style navigation and motion and touch controls as visitors move their phones around, they reveal the world of BREAKTHROUGH all around them, ready to be discovered and explored.
Supplementing the second-screen experience is a robust BREAKTHROUGH series microsite featuring original articles on a variety of topics including real-life breakthroughs inspired by science fiction and the 20th century’s legacy of innovation; digital extras featuring BREAKTHROUGH directors, such as Angela Basset and Paul Giamatti; and additional content including photo galleries and clips from the show.
BREAKTHROUGH is a revolutionary new series about scientific explorers from leading universities and institutions, and how their cutting-edge innovations and advancements will change our lives in the immediate future and beyond.
Every scientific breakthrough is driven by a compelling human drama — the scientists grappling with the fear of failure and the anticipation of success, and at the same time, challenging and inspiring us all to look at the world and its possibilities. Through the lens of six visionaries — Angela Bassett, Peter Berg, Paul Giamatti, Akiva Goldsman, Ron Howard and Brett Ratner — we meet the gifted mavericks of modern science and technology who are uncovering scientific innovations in water, pandemics, cyborg technology, energy, longevity and brain science. BREAKTHROUGH premieres Sunday, Nov. 1, at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on National Geographic Channel.
Presented by National Geographic Channel and GE, brands long dedicated to innovation, science and exploration, the series will air on National Geographic Channels in 440 million homes in 171 countries and in 45 languages, as well as on the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo. BREAKTHROUGH is produced by Imagine Entertainment and Asylum Entertainment. For Imagine Entertainment, executive producers are Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Michael Rosenberg. For Asylum Entertainment, executive producers are Steven Michaels, Jonathan Koch, Kurt Sayenga and Ryann Lauckner. Additional executive producers include Mark Dowley from DDCD & Partners, Beth Comstock and Linda Boff from GE and Michael Cascio and Allan Butler from National Geographic Channel. Tim Pastore is president, original programming and production for NGC.
About National Geographic Channel
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channels US are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Networks. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation and education with smart, innovative programming and profits that directly support its mission. Launched in January 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrated its fifth anniversary with the debut of NGC HD. In 2010, the wildlife and natural history cable channel Nat Geo WILD was launched, and in 2011, the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation’s major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with NGC currently available in nearly 90 million U.S. homes. Globally, National Geographic Channel is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com/tv/.
