NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AND ZDF ENTERPRISES EXTEND EXCLUSIVE ARCHIVE AGREEMENT

NGT&F To License ZDF Footage To U.S. Clients

National Geographic Film Library and ZDF Enterprises have extended an exclusive reciprocal sales agreement to represent content from each company's archives in their respective markets that will also see National Geographic Television & Film (NGT&F) licensing ZDF footage in the U.S. The extension of the multi-year agreement was announced today by Matthew White, vice president, Film Library for NGT&F and Fred Burcksen, vice president distribution and investments, ZDF Enterprises.

The partnership, originally forged in 2003, gives National Geographic exclusive rights to the ZDF Network television library for sales in the United Kingdom and now, in the United States; while ZDF Enterprises licensed National Geographic footage to its clients in Germanic territories including Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland. Sales originate from National Geographic Film Library's headquarters in Washington, DC and its London-based office in the U.K. and ZDF Enterprises' offices in Mainz, Germany. The agreement also includes licensing rights to an immense archive of material relevant for National Geographic and ZDF Enterprises' European clientele.

"The combined libraries of both ZDF and National Geographic Television and Film have proven to be a very attractive and efficient resource for producers in need of rich, distinctive non-fiction footage," said White. "By sharing our assets and the expertise of our respective staff as well as our client base, we have been successful in enhancing overall licensing while adding to the breadth of content we can offer our clients. Augmenting our agreement with National Geographic's representation of ZDF footage to U.S.-based clients only enhances our mutually beneficial relationship."

National Geographic footage covers a variety of subjects including science and archaeology; adventure and exploration; peoples and cultures and nature and wildlife. ZDF footage will be gleaned from ZDF Network's extensive television library of non-fiction programming, ranging in subject from human and social affairs; science; health; wildlife and nature; culture; history; environment; travel and destinations; current affairs and more. Footage is available in a variety of formats, including 35mm, 16mm, Super 16 and high-definition.

"We are pleased to be able to expand the available footage to our clients, especially with such a high-caliber partner as National Geographic," said Fred Burcksen, Vice President Distribution and Investments, ZDF Enterprises]. "Not only will ZDF programming gain an additional platform to showcase the kind of timely, powerful footage we've become known for, but our contacts within Germany and beyond will allow National Geographic to increase the use and viability of its programming within the European marketplace."

ZDF and National Geographic stock footage is available to advertisers, broadcast producers, researchers, and curators for use in educational and research projects, television and film productions and museum exhibits. To license National Geographic footage, clients can contact ZDF Enterprises at +49 6131 991328 or visit the website www.zdf-archive.com. To license ZDF footage, clients can contact National Geographic in London at +44 207-581-7175 and in the US at 877-730-2022.

More Information

National Geographic's Film Library, a wholly owned subsidiary of NGT&F, functions as an archive and repository for all NGT&F-produced film and videotape material. The Library catalogues and sells stock footage from NGT&F's Specials, "Ultimate Explorer" series, educational films, and other National Geographic Channel and NGT&F productions. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Film Library supplies material to a satellite office in London and representatives across the globe. Its fully catalogued database, available online at www.ngtlibrary.com, allows clients to search footage based on subject, location or production criteria.

About National Geographic Television & Film

Building on its global reputation for remarkable visuals and compelling stories, National Geographic Television & Film augments its award-winning documentary productions (122 Emmy Awards and more than 800 other industry awards) with feature films, large-format films and long-form television drama programming. Worldwide, National Geographic's television programming can be seen on the National Geographic Channel, MSNBC, and PBS, home video and DVD, and through international broadcast syndication. The National Geographic Channel is received by more than 200 million households in 25 languages in 146 countries, including the United States.

For more information about National Geographic Television & Film, log on to www.nationalgeographic.com, AOL Keyword: NatGeo.

About ZDF Enterprises

Founded in 1993, ZDF Enterprises GmbH is the wholly-owned subsidiary and commercial arm of ZDF German Television Network, one of Europe's largest and most respected broadcasters. Headquartered in Mainz, Germany, ZDF Enterprises is responsible for the development, production and global distribution of quality original programming. The company is also responsible for all program acquisitions and international co-productions on behalf of the network, and acquires programming for world-wide distribution. Its vast program library ranks as the largest in the German language. The extensive catalogue includes television movies and mini-series, drama series and comedies, documentaries, family entertainment and children's programming. ZDF Enterprises also oversees all licensing and merchandising activities based on its high-profile programs, including book and music publishing and the licensing of its program properties in all key product categories. Committed to the future, ZDF Enterprises has embarked on numerous New Media initiatives, ranging from opportunities within the burgeoning e-commerce industry to the creation of themed edutainment dimensions featuring the recognized program brands with which ZDF has become synonymous.

About ZDF

ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen) is Germany's national public television broadcaster and an independent non-profit corporation under the authority of the Länder, the sixteen states making up the Federal Republic of Germany. Based in Mainz, with major editorial and production capacity in Berlin, ZDF went on-air in 1963. Today it reaches its viewers via cable, satellite and terrestrial, in analogue and digital format. As a public service broadcaster, ZDF has a remit to provide information, education and entertainment in its programming, reaching viewers of all ages and in all parts of Germany. As one of Europe's largest broadcasters, ZDF German Television is a strong player in the international field: Long-established bilateral and multilateral partnerships and exchanges, especially with fellow members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), are complemented with numerous individual cooperation agreements with broadcasters around the world.