MUMBAI: The 1980s ushered in a new definition of innovation, drive and decadence that shook and shocked the world. To capture the spirit of this provocative decade, National Geographic Channels International has commissioned Twofour to produce ?The 80s Greatest?.

The four-part series will air in spring 2013 as part of a special global programming event dedicated to the decade that gave rise to the birth of now. Game-changing in the way it wove a common global narrative within a rapidly modernising world, the 1980s encapsulate some of the best, most iconic ? and sometimes grievous ? moments in history.

In four fascinating hours, ?The 80s Greatest? explores Sporting Icons, Gadgets, Football Moments and Tragedies ? from young athletes like Diego Maradona and Mike Tyson who skyrocketed to international superstardom to the Chernobyl nuclear explosion, which dominated international headlines.

NGCI executive VP, head of international content Hamish Mykura said, "Few decades hold the same wonder and nostalgia as the 1980s, and together with Twofour, National Geographic Channel is reacquainting viewers with riveting moments across sports, technology and current affairs. These aren?t memories locked away in time; they are the iconic figures, events and innovations that defined a generation, left nations cheering ? or the entire world holding its breath ? and still resonate today,"

Twofour head of factual entertainment and executive producer of the series Juliet Rice said, "We are delighted to be working with NGCI on The 80s Greatest. It is a chance to revel in an extraordinary decade that brought us everything from the first cell phone to the first ?Hand of God?. Expect glorious insight and nostalgia."

MUMBAI: National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) is creating a programme commissions and content hub in the UK.

NGCI is in the process of recruiting a commissioning team who will report to Hamish Mykura and be based in the
London office. Earlier in March, NGCI had appointed Mykura as executive VP, head of international content.

The move is aimed at NGCI?s strategy of boosting international production to suit audiences across the globe.

Said NGCI CEO Hernan Lopez, "Moving our international programming to London under the leadership of Hamish Mykura is part of our continuing expansion and commitment to increasing international production of high-quality
programming that resonates with audiences across the globe".

The London office will now be the main hub for the commissioning of series and single shows, which are for broadcast primarily on National Geographic Channel (NGC) outside of the US in 172 countries and to over 335 million homes.

Mykura said, ?NGCI?s London commissioning hub is a massive vote of confidence in the UK production sector. The independent production community in the UK is a world leader in factual television and locating our commissioning and programming here is the ideal way to capitalise on it?.

Mykura?s programming vision includes a balance of topics with a combination of epic specials and strong series that leverage the strength and breadth of the brand as well as focusing on character-led series with a factual-entertainment sensibility.

?If we generate international hits they will also play on the channel in the US. We are ambitious to make bigger series and more entertaining programmes and we want producers to bring their best ideas to National Geographic Channel as the first port of call,? said Mykura.

The creation of the UK hub follows on the heels of the recent announcement by National Geographic Channels US extending development teams in New York and Los Angeles alongside Washington, DC.

The new London team will also have an important role in feeding new ideas and information back to the team in the US under both NGC US CEO David Lyle and NGC president Howard Owens.

MUMBAI: National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) has appointed Hamish Mykura as EVP, head of international content effective early 2012.

The announcement was made by NGCI, Fox International Channels CEO Hernan Lopez. Mykura will also serve as the London Head of Global Development for National Geographic Channel.

Mykura will oversee all editorial development and production for NGCI, working closely with local programming teams and reporting to Lopez. He will also help spearhead NGCI?s success across the globe in 165 countries and provide supervision for its portfolio of networks: NGC, NGC HD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Wild HD, and Nat Geo Adventure.

As London Head of Global Development, he will be responsible for bringing projects from UK-based production houses to NGC?s global commissioning team in Washington, DC, and in respect to this role he will report toNGC US EVP of content Michael Cascio.

Lopez said, "With more than 20 years of experience in the television industry, Hamish brings outstanding insight and vision to NGCI. Working closely with NGCI regional programmers and UK-based production houses, Hamish will build upon a solid foundation to bring new viewers to the National Geographic brand."

National Geographic Channels US and Global Programming CEO David Lyle said, "Expanding our development presence in the UK is key to our strategy of reaching out to the production community globally and forming more partnerships to produce the best programming for our channels. Hamish is the perfect person to be leading this charge for us in the UK."