MUMBAI: National Geographic Channels International has announced the launch of a new wildlife channel Wild. It will debut first on Hong Kong's Now broadband TV platform, ahead of its global rollout.

National Geographic Wild launches on Now TV on 21 August 2006. Wild will be National Geographic's first bilingual channel, offering a choice of either English or Cantonese soundtrack. Wild was unveiled yesterday at a preview in Hong Kong Wetland Park by National Geographic herpetologist Dr Brady Barr.

Among the slate of programmes the channel will be showcasing include, Croc Chronicles; Snake Wranglers; Kill Zone; Built for the Kill; Beauty and the Beast Leopard Story and Zambezi Troop.

Zubin Gandevia, managing director and executive vice president, National Geographic Channel Asia said, "For many years, National Geographic Channel has brought high calibre and entertaining documentaries of all genres to Hong Kong viewers. Hong Kong is a very important market for us and we are delighted to introduce a channel in the local language for our viewers here. National Geographic Wild marks a new milestone in our commitment to Hong Kong."