Sixty years after its original debut on broadcast TV, a groundbreaking wildlife show is returning to NBC this fall with an original new series, featuring one of the program’s original hosts. And, it is produced by Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG).
Thanks to an exclusive partnership, HMPG is teaming with Mutual of Omaha to bring back the iconic Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.
It is being placed on NBC’s educational/informational “The More You Know” programming block, as Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild premieres Saturday, October 7.
Incredibly, it has been more than three decades since Wild Kingdom aired on NBC.
“This is a well-known, enduring franchise that’s literally part of television history,” said HMPG President Frank Biancuzzo. “Together with Mutual of Omaha and NBC, we’re looking forward to creating new and memorable wildlife adventures.”
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting The Wild will be hosted by veteran wildlife expert and former host of the original Wild Kingdom series, Peter Gros (pictured, top left), who has more than 30 years of field experience with wildlife and endangered species. Gros first appeared on Wild Kingdom in 1985 as a co-host with Jim Fowler, who succeeded legendary zoologist and show founder Marlin Perkins.
On the new series, Gros will be joined by wildlife ecologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, a National Geographic Explorer and research faculty member at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
“With its premiere in 1963, Wild Kingdom pioneered the nature adventure genre, setting the standard for today’s wildlife programming,” said Jennifer Wulf, Vice President of Brand Marketing for Mutual of Omaha. “Through our partnership with HMPG, we are excited to remain at the forefront of compelling wildlife conservation efforts and success stories.”
HMPG’s association with Wild Kingdom adds to a roster of wildlife programming that includes Wildlife Nation, hosted by Jeff Corwin; Earth Odyssey, hosted by Dylan Dreyer; Wild Child, hosted by Sheinelle Jones; and Oh Baby!, hosted by Janai Norman.
