From eco-friendly pop-ups and “Eureka moments” to a twist on USA Network’s tagline, the cable networks of NBC Universal will fly their appropriately colored flags during the company’s “Green Is Universal” initiative next month.
Bravo, Sci Fi Channel, USA and Universal HD are all stepping up to the environmental plate with programming and public affairs campaigns during NBCU’s green push from Nov. 4-10.
Through its worldwide programming, specials and consumer-focused events, the week will focus NBC Universal's resources and efforts toward educating viewers, Web and wireless users, and the company's employees on ecological issues and the impact on the environment.
Bravo's programming on-air, online and on-wireless plans will feature specials and programs teaching viewers how to help the environment around them. On Nov. 6, during the new season premiere of Real Housewives of Orange County, eco-friendly pop-ups will be featured throughout the show educating viewers on how to live with less bling and with more green in their lives.
That same day, www.Bravotv.com will air the Watch What Happens Green Special, a 30-minute live show hosted by Bravo programming executive Andy Cohen, highlighting some of Bravo's favorite talent who are leaders in the fashion, food and design industry, discussing how they embrace greener living.
Beginning Nov. 5, Bravotv.com will host a "Go Green Treasure Hunt," where users are given a daily "green question," asked to hunt around the site for the answer and then can enter to win an eco-friendly prize. On the wireless watch, users in November can text the word “GREEN" to 27286 to receive three green text message tips per week from various Bravo personalities.
For its part, Sci Fi will feature green storylines in original programming, including a Flash Gordon episode Nov. 9. Two days earlier, the network during a marathon of the dramedy will present "Eureka" moments with energy-conservation messages. In addition, the network has scheduled green-themed movie marathons for Nov. 5 and Nov. 11.
Sci Fi’s public affairs campaign, "Visions for Tomorrow," which fosters an optimistic view of the future, will unveil the results of its national "Eureka Smart House" energy conservation sweepstakes in partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy.
USA will use its airtime as a national platform to recognize a character driven eco-movement, and create programming wraps and vignettes that celebrate individuals who are making a difference to help save the environment. Jeffrey Donovan, star of USA's hit series Burn Notice, will appear in the long-running NBC public service announcement “The More You Know,” with a message to raise awareness about pollution.
USA will also turn its logo green and take a twist on the "Characters Welcome" messaging with "Environmentalists Welcome."
Throughout the week in question during primetime, Universal HD will showcase nature’s beauty with green movies, and will air the Jeep World of Adventure Sports, featuring carbon-neutral sports.
Also, viewers can catch Sundance Channel on Universal HD, showcasing Iconoclasts and Big Ideas for a Small Planet. The week culminates Nov. 9 with the original special Green is Universal, Sundance's, “Live Earth Green Shorts,” and once again, the Jeep World of Adventure Sports. Woven through the programming will be special Green Tips, public service announcements from the recent "Live Earth" concert, and PSAs.
"We are using every NBC Universal Cable platform available to communicate the importance of environmental awareness," said Jeff Gaspin, President and COO, Universal Television Group, in a statement. "From our fully distributed channels Bravo, SciFi and USA, to our Emerging Networks Chiller, Sleuth and Universal HD to our mobile channels NBC 2 Go and NBC News 2 Go, the entire group is getting behind this message."
