New Delhi:  National Geographic Channel announced today that it has signed a ground-breaking sponsorship with Panasonic to bring a special programming block focused on UNESCO World Heritage sites to NGC viewers across five continents – Asia, North America, South America, Europe and Australia. National Geographic Channel is the broadcast arm of the National Geographic Society, one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, that is respected for the quality of its programmes. Panasonic, is passionate about the natural environment as well as the cultures and traditions of the world, with its long-standing partnership with UNESCO to inspire the next generation about World Heritage conservation and environmental preservation.

Under the terms of this 12-month agreement, the two are proud to showcase outstanding documentaries about UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Taj Mahal, Machu Pichu, Yellowstone National Park and Stonehenge. Beginning 11 June 2011 in India, the Panasonic Presents The World Heritage Special and The World Heritage Special* programming blocks will be available in 370 million homes across National Geographic Channel’s global network. In Asia, 170 million homes will enjoy the Panasonic’s The World Heritage Special block in more than 15 markets, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia / New Zealand, Middle East, India, Japan, Korea and more. “The quality of programming and the brand integrity offered by National Geographic Channel provides a perfect global platform to reach our target audience,” said Mr. Alex Nunoya, General Manager, Advertising Group, Corporate Brand Strategy Division Panasonic Corporation. “We are confident that viewers will enjoy the special World Heritage series and we look forward to sharing with the world our passion for supporting and protecting some of the world’s most amazing places.” “National Geographic Channel provides fact-based entertainment that informs, expands and inspires.

The brand synergies that exist between Panasonic and National Geographic Channel make us an ideal platform for Panasonic to bring breathtaking programming on UNESCO World Heritage sites – some of the most stunning cultural and natural sites found on Earth – to new audiences,” said Mr. Hernan Lopez, President and Chief Executive Officer of FOX International Channels. “We believe that National Geographic Channel’s innovative and educational brand equity will further strengthen Panasonic’s mission to educate people about World Heritage monuments.”

The strong programming line-up of the “Panasonic Presents The World Heritage Special” for India includes:

1 Stonehenge Decoded – Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 1:00 PM

2 Yellowstone Spring – Saturday, July 09, 2011 at 1:00 PM

3 Beneath Easter Island – Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 1:00 PM

4 Killer Dragons – Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 1:00 PM

5 Secrets of the Taj Mahal – Saturday, October 08, 2011 at 1:00 PM

6 Megafalls of Iguacu – Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 1:00 PM

7 Istanbul’s Hagia Sofia – Saturday, December 10, 2011 at1:00 PM

8 Kamchatka – Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 1:00 PM

9 Walking the Wall – Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 1:00 PM

10 Apeman of Sumatra – Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 1:00 PM

11 Machu Picchu – Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 1:00 PM

12 Yellowstone Winter – Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 1:00 PM

Secrets of the Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal: Symbol of India, architectural jewel, and monument to a grand passion. Built in the 17th century by the Great Mogul Shah Jahan in honor of Mumtaz Mahal, the love of his life. Before she died, legend says, Mumtaz Mahal made a wish for a mausoleum, more sublime than any the world had seen. Built on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, it is said to have required over 20,000 workers including the best craftsmen of the Empire. Millions of bricks were baked on site only to disappear forever under flawless white marble. A heavenly memorial to the Queen of the World, or as a poet described it: “A teardrop on the cheek of time”. A love poem set in stone and the most perfect building in the world Stonehenge Decoded: Stonehenge Decoded examines British archaeologist, Mike Parker Pearson’s ground-breaking theory one that places this ancient monument at the centre of one the largest prehistoric religious complexes in the world. His team is unearthing surprising new evidence, supporting a radical new vision of Stonehenge and the people who built it. Istanbul’s Hagia Sofia: When fiery Roman Emperor Justinian ordered the rebuilding of the great church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, he was bidding for nothing less than eternal glory, both for God and for himself. Exactly how the Romans conjured up the vast golden dome floating high above the ground has astounded architects for centuries, and modern science has only recently revealed the secret that allowed this colossal structure to survive almost 1500 years of turbulent history and earthquakes. We peel back the layers of this ancient megastructure to reveal its incredible engineering secrets, and vividly bring to life the astonishing story of its construction.