New Series Lets User Generated Content Tell Frightening Stories
From High Up In The Air

New York, NY – June 5, 2013 - Arrow Media, one of the UK’s fastest-growing independent content creators, has been commissioned to make TERROR IN THE SKIES, a 4x60 documentary series that will premiere on Channel 4 in the UK in June and later this year on the Smithsonian Channel in the United States. The gripping series will feature user-generated content (UGC) to explore why there are so many frightening near-misses in 21st century air travel.

As more people film near misses on their phones and camcorders, TERROR IN THE SKIES will give unique insight into these terrifying events. The show takes different formats either side of the Atlantic.  In the U.S., the Smithsonian Channel version is focused on user-generated content and audio from actual disasters and is not hosted, while trained aeronautical engineer Professor Brendan Walker hosts on Channel 4.

The series will seamlessly interweave gut-wrenching stories of imminent disaster, told by survivors, witnesses and air-accident investigators. Real UGC will combine with genuine audio recordings from pilots and air traffic control in crisis. This will sit beside stylish forensic CGI sections to bring the science at play into focus. The result will be a real and gripping experience, putting the viewers at the center of what’s going on.

David Royle, Executive Vice President of Programming & Production, Smithsonian Channel, says: “Arrow Media are brilliant at infusing their programs with drama. This innovative series could not have been done until now. It springs directly from the proliferation of cell phone cameras. Often it’s not just one person filming, but multiple people capturing the action from different angles. What you’ll see is quite remarkable.”

Tom Brisley, Creative Director, Arrow Media, added: “TERROR IN THE SKIES extends and reinvents the disaster genre to include the iPhone generation - new technology, new pressures, new engineering challenges, and crucially, new visual insight through user generated content. We hope that TERROR IN THE SKIES will set the standard for disaster programming in the modern age.”

TERROR IN THE SKIES is produced by Arrow Media for Smithsonian Channel and Channel 4. Executive producers for Smithsonian Channel are David Royle and Charles Poe. Executive Producer for Channel 4 is Jill Fullerton Smith. Executive Producers for Media are Tom Brisley and Thomas Viner.

ABOUT SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL
Smithsonian Channel is owned by Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution.  Its programs are largely inspired by the assets of the world’s largest museum complex. Smithsonian Channel features award-winning original documentaries, series, and groundbreaking programs highlighting America’s historical, cultural and scientific heritage. Smithsonian Channel brings the American experience home in high definition and Dolby Digital 5.1 and is available to customers of DirecTV, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Cablevision, Verizon, AT&T, and more. Learn more at www.smithsonianchannel.com. 

About Arrow Media
Arrow Media is an ambitious venture specializing in creating high quality and innovative content across TV, film and digital media.

Established in 2011, the company operates in the UK, US and other key international territories, where all three partners have extensive experience.

Arrow Media was founded by Tom Brisley, John Smithson and Iain Pelling and has fast become one of the UK’s fastest-growing independent content creators.