Press release - Editorial
February 9, 2021
National Geographic Set to Premiere Network’s First-Ever Global Competition Series, ‘Race to The Center of the Earth,’ Monday, March 29 at 10:00 P.M. ET/PT
FROM EMMY® AWARD-WINNING PRODUCERS BERTRAM VAN MUNSTER AND ELISE DOGANIERI, THE ADRENALINE-PACKED JOURNEY BEGINS WITH FOUR TEAMS RACING FROM FOUR REMOTE CORNERS OF THE PLANET TO ONE FINAL DESTINATION FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN $1 MILLION
Link to Sneak Peek: https://youtu.be/IXT6mU-4Bbo
(WASHINGTON, D.C. – Feb. 9, 2021) – Twelve daring individuals are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime in National Geographic’s RACE TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, premiering Monday, March 29 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
The epic seven-part series, created by award-winning producers Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri, is an adrenaline-fueled global competition that pits four teams of three against one another in a nonstop sprint across the globe for a $1 million prize. RACE TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH is an extreme non-elimination competition that follows four groups of adventurers, each starting from different corners of the earth, as they race to a buoy holding the grand prize. Racing from different corners of the planet — South America, Russia, Canada and Southeast Asia, the teams will face untamed jungles, frozen arctic, arid deserts, bustling cities, treacherous mountains and vast oceans to reach the location where all four routes intersect. The first team to arrive at the buoy claims it all. Embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, these adventurous teams, made up of friends and co-workers, are confident their bond is what will lead them to the finish line.
After six months of rigorous prep work and scouting hundreds of locations covering more than 35,000 miles around the globe, a highly experienced team of producers and cinematographers was ready to hit the ground running, literally. Cameras follow the contestants, mirroring their actions as they take on various challenges that test their limits of strength, speed and stamina. The highly skilled filmmakers capture the teams throughout the race and at every waypoint — around 500 — with state-of-the-art camera technology including BlackMagic URSA Mini Pro G2, allowing ultra-high resolution in a small, handheld package.
The race is divided into two stages. Each team has been randomly assigned a different international route for Stage One; the contestants must travel a daily course of epic physical challenges within a set time frame. They are given a GPS device containing a number of waypoints indicating the route they must follow. Points given through Stage One will be tracked by the producers and are broken up as follows:
- Arrive at the End of Day Waypoint before the grace period — TWO points
- Arrive at the End of Day Waypoint within the grace period or on pace — ONE point
- Arrive at the End of Day Waypoint after the grace period — ZERO points
- Teams that do not complete the daily course in the allotted time will be moved to the final waypoint for safety and will lose ONE point.
The team with the most points at the end of Stage One will have a starting position advantage at the beginning of Stage Two. Teams will race head-to-head in this final stage; the first team to reach the buoy holding the grand prize will be the winner.
These adventurous teams, made up of friends and co-workers, are confident their bond is what will lead them to the finish line. The four teams include Team Russia, a group of colleagues from Anchorage, Alaska, who have known each other for 15 years and have been together through highly intense situations and personal milestones, will race through a variety of terrains in Russia; Team North America, a team of co-workers from Denver, Colorado, who consider each other family, will trek their way through the Canadian wilderness; Team South America, who boulder their way through daily intense training back home in San Diego, California, will trek through the glaciers and more in South America; and Team Southeast Asia from Seattle, Washington, who has bonded over their love of adventure, travel and the outdoors, will travel through Southeast Asia.
Episode descriptions are as follows:
101 – “Hit The Ground Running”
Four teams across the world compete in the ultimate adventure race for $1 million. Teams of co-workers, rock-climbers, cops and teachers are spread out across the world and racing toward the same finish line. As the race begins, teams must work together to win. For one team, a steep challenge on day one will test their mettle.
102 – “Back Breaker”
As the Race to the Center of the Earth heats up, teams are pushed to the limits of both mind and body. In Canada, a snowstorm puts the team in a bind. In Vietnam, one adventurer will have to face her fears. In South America, the fabric of the team will be tested. And in Russia, the team endures the longest day of the course.
103 – “The Going Gets Tough”
The race continues, and for each team it will take physical and mental strength to endure. In Russia, car troubles jeopardize the team’s lead in the competition. In Canada, relationships are put to the test. In South America, the team must make a risky decision. And Team Southeast Asia will face their most exhausting challenge yet.
104 – “A Marathon Of Pain”
The Race to the Center of the Earth hits the halfway point, the Big Reveal brings new information to the teams. Competition revs up as teams are faced with harrowing challenges while emotions run high. Teams are gunning to steal first place, but do they have what it takes to win the million-dollar prize?
105 – “Down To The Wire”
More than halfway through the Race, even the strongest are pushed to their breaking points. In Canada, the team faces a frozen uphill battle. In Thailand, the team’s weaknesses are exposed. Team Russia adventures into dangerous territory. And Team South America fights against injury and fear.
106 – “The Final Push”
Around the globe, teams are pushing toward the end of stage one. In Canada, a horseback ride takes a dangerous turn. In Malaysia, Team Southeast Asia battles a jungle labyrinth. In Russia, an injury plagues the entire team. And in Chile, civil unrest throws an unexpected wrench in Team South America’s journey.
107 – “A Million Bucks Or Bust”
After 13 grueling days racing in their separate corners around the world, the four teams converge at the final destination for an epic head-to-head battle, where just one will walk away with the million-dollar prize.
RACE TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH is produced by New Media Collective from a format by Plum Pictures for National Geographic. For New Media Collective, executive producers are Bertram van Munster, Elise Doganieri, Mark Dziak and Doug Vargas. For National Geographic, Bengt Anderson is executive producer and Matt Renner is executive producer and vice president, original programming and production.
About New Media Collective
New Media Collective is a full-service production company that develops and produces programming for the global marketplace. New Media Collective is a partnership between television producers Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri as principals along with Mark Dziak and Doug Vargas. NMC will capitalize on the partners’ 35-plus years of experience in global production. Doganieri and van Munster have earned 15 Primetime Emmy Awards, a DGA Award, three PGA Awards and a GLAAD Award for outstanding reality program. Dziak has been producing in film and television for over 25 years, having spent the past 10 years running Doganieri/van Munster-owned Profiles Television. Vargas has been head of finance/controller at Profiles TV for six years and has spent the past 16 years running finance and accounting for various top television production companies. The company is currently in production on series for CBS, Disney+, HBOMax and multiple oversees series to be produced in 2020 and beyond. In addition, numerous projects are in development across a wide range of broadcast, digital and cable networks. NMC is represented by CAA and Brecheen, Feldman, Breimer, Silver & Thompson.
About National Geographic Partners LLC
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 133 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
Media Contacts:
National Geographic:
Fowzia Iranpur, 562-900-0632, Fowzia.Iranpur@natgeo.com