NBC Goes Green

Who knew ecology could be so entertaining?

In honor of Earth Day, NBC Universal has designated the week of April 20th “Earth Week,” with more than 100 hours of Green-themed content airing across 42 NBCU brands and 28 websites.

This is all part of NBC Universal’s “Green is Universal” initiative, the company’s ongoing commitment to raise “green” awareness and compell consumers to help save the environment.

“Raising environmental awareness and making a real impact is not something that happens overnight, which is why ‘Green Week’ is more than just a one time event for us,” said Lauren Zalaznick, Chair of the NBC Universal Green Council.

Following are some highlights of the Green-themed programming and events scheduled for the week of April 20th:

Natural news

NBC News runs with “Dateline NBC” kicking off their week on April 20th. The news magazine begins with a segment on the melting snow in the Bolivia Mountains. In addition “Dateline NBC” will examine and compare the presence of a variety of chemicals in two families, one, which is completely green, and another that eats and uses more conventional products. “TODAY” will feature daily segments on different sources of renewable energy. The show will also launch a “Green Screen” drive in New York, encouraging consumers to recycle their used electronics. In addition, “TODAY” will broadcast a special live “Earth Week” concert by Alicia Keys on Monday, April 21st.

Late night nature

NBC’s top-rated late-night talk shows will incorporate comedic green themes throughout the week. “Green” comedian Ed Begley Jr. will be a guest on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” “Last Call with Carson Daly” will feature guest Darryl Hannah. The segment will focus on organic skateboards and surf companies, midnight gardeners and other ways young people are getting involved in green.

Green synergy

NBC’s sister networks get into the jive as well.

USA Network will change its popular “Characters Welcome” tag to “Environmentalists Welcome” for the week, and will broadcast a variety of green-themed character-driven and eco-friendly programming vignettes, including “Character To Watch: The Color Green,” and “Character With a Cause.”

Bravo will re-broadcast an episode of “Real Housewives of Orange County,” which features “Green” pop-up tips, as well as Tim Gunn’s “Green” PSA’s. In addition, “Top Chef” will also have “Green” tips throughout the week. Bravo will also air the Sundance Channel’s “Ecoists” vignettes and an episode of “Big Ideas for a Small Planet.”

Oxygen will feature “Green” tips from some of the network’s talent and will extend its “Go Green” message to the Oxygen website. SCI FI will broadcast cautionary natural disaster-themed movies throughout the week, with a block to run throughout Earth Day.

The Sundance Channel will broadcast episodes of “Big Ideas for a Small Planet,” the 13-part series that features the innovators and innovations on the cutting edge of the environmental revolution, and will have “Green Documentary Day” on April 21st. The channel will also air “Mayoral Moments,” profiling ten mayors who are at the forefront of innovative thinking and action on climate change, hosted by Robert Redford.

Sports can save the planet too

NBC Sports will air a green-themed segment focusing on a unique green partnership between the David Suzuki Foundation and the NHL Players’ Association, which have partnered to encourage players to become more eco-friendly.

Apparently at NBC it is easy being green.