30 Years of National Geographic Specials

The National Geographic TV Specials, once fairly rare events, are now offered regularly in the form of series (currently on the Dish Satellite Network and others).

The high quality of those specials of years past is today a gift available on a daily basis. All I can say is the National Geographic brings the same superior standards of its magazine to its television programming.

There are so many series now offered on this channel that it becomes difficult to point out any one as outstanding. However one, "Living Wild," revealed the remarkable restoration program of the Arabian oryx. Once almost extinct, the conservationists' twenty-year planned program has rescued and restored this magnificent creature.

Seeing the unique animal once again breeding and thriving through careful attention of concerned individuals is truly heart-warming.

Another series on conservation demonstrated the need for vigilant care of the Canadian/Alaskan wilderness from the possible onslaught of oil drillers and barges. By actually seeing the deft ecological balance of nature to its myriad of native fish, animals and birds, and what the historic 1989 oil tanker spill did to upset that balance, gives one pause.

The National Geographic Channel is one of the best, and earns a pristine position in the hierarchy of television programming. It takes its place along with such as FSTV, PBS, TWC, Wisdom, Bravo, and Travel as bringing high quality education and culture to viewers.

I must be an old guy, as when I saw this DVD I thought "Wow...highlights from the good old National Geographic specials...back BEFORE they rebranded themselves". This is because over the last few years, I have noticed that the new, and not necessarily improved, version of National Geographic on cable TV is not exactly the well respected and entertaining show of old. And, as I watched, I realized it wasn't and it made me miss the old quality National Geographic specials. Instead of the reality TV you see now with shows like "Lock Down" (about folks in prison), "Airport Security", "Alaska State Troopers" and specials which questioned whether Jesus was an alien, the old shows were not meant to sensationalize as much as educate. Through watching the film, you get tantalizing clips of shows about nature, human history and more....and you will almost certainly wish you had more than just clips. I would LOVE to see this DVD accompany full versions of the many, many quality shows you see highlights of from the 1970s and 80s...before reality TV and cheap and easy shows made their way to Nat G-O! Overall, well worth seeing and very interesting...and it kept me wanting more.