Upfronts 2013: Nat Geo Wild Planning New Cesar Millan Series, Specials

Net also orders new series ‘Jobs That Bite!'

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/25/2013 12:01:00 AM

Nat Geo Wild is continuing its relationship with Cesar Millan, committing to a new U.S.-based series with the Dog Whisperer helping troubled dogs find a new home (his last Wild series, Leader of the Pack, was filmed in Europe). The net is also planning two follow-up specials to the bio-doc Cesar Millan: The Real Story, which was Wild's third most-watched telecast ever.

"Cesar continues to be a huge part of the identity for Wild, the fan base that he's brought to us," said Geoff Daniels, executive VP and general manager of Nat Geo Wild. "What we wanted to do was bring him back to an American audience to do the shows here and really get him more engaged with what he does best."

The network on Monday announced The Incredible Dr. Pol and Fish Tank Kings will return with new seasons in 2013-14. It has also picked up new series Jobs That Bite! where host Jeremy Brandt spotlights people with jobs like tagging sharks, wrangling ostriches or farming eels.

Wild is planning to do one big special each quarter with ordered titles including Animal Fight Night, How Human Are You? and Kingdom of the Apes. The network will also present the fourth year of Big Cat Week, including the special Man vs. Cheetah, for which the network is in talks with the NFL for a player's participation.

The new programming comes as Wild is "really honing in on who we are as a brand," Daniels said. In 2012, the network was up 31% among adults 25-54 and improved 28% in total viewers compared to the prior year.