NBC Universal announced details for more than 150 hours of environmentally themed content that will inolve all of NBCU’s divisions across multiple platforms for the week of Nov. 4 – 10.
Additionally, the company announced corporate green plans as part of NBC Universal’s ongoing Green Is Universal initiative. (NBC Universal announced “Get On Board,” a program to reduce greenhouse gases and raise awareness, as part of General Electric’s (NBCU’s parent) ecomagination initiative.)
NBC Universal’s corporate commitment to green its own operations includes the recently created West Coast News Headquarters and Content Center. NBC Universal will seek LEED Silver certification for new construction for the Center and will target LEED for existing buildings for its ongoing operations.
In addition, in 2007, a different car service was introduced in New York, resulting in a 75 percent air pollution improvement over the old service, multi-functional office machines are now being used that let employees scan and e-mail documents, thus eliminating the need for multiple devices and reducing paper use, the company is using paper with 34 percent recycled content, and NBC Universal has committed to conducting eco audits to identify and prioritize environmental improvements.
NBC Universal’s public service campaign, “The More You Know,” will debut environmentally-themed spots to be broadcast across all platforms. The messages will focus on global warming, pollution and recycling.
The company will launch a digital home – GreenIsUniversal.com – to bring an environmental perspective to its networks, platforms, audiences and communities. Kicking-off on Nov. 4 with seven days of environmentally-themed programming, GreenIsUniversal.com will provide green tips, clips, and a blog.
Highlights of the company’s 150 hours of green-themed content for the week of Nov. 4-10 include:
NBC Sports kicks-off the programming on Nov. 4 during the “Sunday Night Football” game. The following Saturday, Nov. 10, the Air Force vs. Notre Dame college football game will feature the University of Notre Dame’s students’ and professors’ research for capturing carbon dioxide from the emissions of power plants.
Highlighted by the “Today” show’s “Ends of the Earth” trip, NBC News will dedicate programming across many of its platforms. “NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams” will feature a five-part green series.
MSNBC.com will kick off its green series with special stories and interactive features, including user-generated content showing what it’s like to be green in America. MSNBC.com’s interactive features include “Warming World,” a gateway into video, slideshows and stories about climate change around the world.
CNBC will focus on cleantech investing opportunities and will interview CEOs of top companies that are making a business in the green space.
iVillage’s iGo Green channel will feature green content, from organic Thanksgiving ideas to eco-friendly gifts.
On November 1, iVillage.com will launch the iVillage Forest, a virtual wintertime forest where visitors can help offset trees that are cut down each December for holiday decorating. For each $5 donation, a virtual tree is planted in the iVillage Forest and a live tree is planted by The Conservation Fund.
NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution’s “Access Hollywood,” “The Martha Stewart Show,” “Lyons and Bailes Reel Talk,” “The Jerry Springer Show,” “Maury,” “The Steve Wilkos Show,” “The Chris Matthews Show,” “The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo,” “Your Total Health” and “Lyons & Bailes” are all participating in the effort.
Universal Pictures will promote the program on its homepage with a lead editorial placement and banner at the bottom of the page. Universal Pictures also will send its more than 400,000 newsletter subscribers information on the “Green Is Universal” initiative.
