Nat Geo Channels International orders raft of factual series

National Geographic Channels International has ordered a raft of factual series, including a new series to come out of its recently established London content hub.

The international factual broadcaster has commissioned The 80s Greatest, a four part series to be produced by Hamish Mykura’s Global Content Hub, in association with Twofour. The series, which will air in spring 2013, will look at the most iconic moments of the decade including sporting moments from Diego Maradona and Mike Tyson and the Chernobyl nuclear explosion.

Separately, it has ordered ten part car makeover format Car SOS from Renegade Pictures for its European channels. The series, which is presented by Tim Shaw and car obsessive Fuzz Townshend, sees experts restoring classic cars.

The broadcaster has also greenlit six part series Bloody Tales of Europe from True North Productions.

“NGCI is closing out the year with significant ratings traction, seeing a 38% year-over-year increase in primetime share among viewers age 18-49 in the UK since September, among other international successes. This is a direct result of National Geographic Channel’s balance of high-quality global programming complemented by outstanding regional content that provides robust, uniquely localized schedules to our markets,” said Herman Lopez, president and CEO of Fox International Channels and NGCI.