Bellum Entertainment Group
 | |
| Limited liability company | |
| Industry | Television |
| Genre | Children's television, wildlife shows |
| Founder | Mary Carole McDonnell |
| Headquarters | Burbank, California, USA |
Key people |
Mary Carole McDonnell (Founder and President) Peter McDonnell (Head of Production and Executive Producer) Rebecca Walker (Executive Vice President of Development) |
| Products | Television production, television programs |
| Subsidiaries |
Midori Entertainment, LLC 1525 Entertainment |
| Website |
www |
Bellum Entertainment Group (formerly LongNeedle Entertainment) is a Burbank, California-based television production and distribution company that specializes in development, production and distribution of TV projects for broadcast, cable, digital and ancillary markets. Bellum Entertainment began creating E/I programs in 2004 with the release of Animal Atlas. In 2012, Bellum launched three new nationally syndicated shows, Unsealed: Alien Files, Unsealed: Conspiracy Files, and Now Eat This! with Rocco DiSpirito, to accompany returning syndicated series Animal Atlas and On the Spot all of which Bellum produces and distributes. The company has also partnered with ITV Studios and Raycom Media on America Now, a news and lifestyle syndicated strip hosted by Leeza Gibbons and Bill Rancic.
Current TV productions
Animal Atlas
Animal Atlas is produced by Longneedle Entertainment, LLC, a subsidiary of Bellum Entertainment Group. Animal Atlas is a 30-minute educational wildlife show that "takes children on a tour of discovery, uncovering the secrets of how animals live and thrive. Young viewers meet animals from the familiar to the astounding, and the domesticated to the wild, including the diverse creatures of the African savanna, the finned and flippered of the big deep, and the colorful cast of the equatorial rainforest".[1] Atlas began in 2004 for its first season in national syndication and will be going on its tenth year of national syndication during the 2013-2014 season. As of January 2013, Bellum will have produced over 230 high definition episodes of Animal Atlas and fourteen home entertainment DVD titles about animals.
On The Spot
On The Spot is a weekly syndicated trivia show that asks entertaining questions from different categories including people, sports, music, health, food, technology, history, science, arts and entertainment, and culture. The show first aired nationally on September 25, 2011. The first 13 episodes were hosted by Eric Schwartz and included man-on-the-street segments where everyday people were asked the trivia questions (and many got the answers wrong), which led to each question being answered and explained. Later episodes had only unseen narrator Pete Sepenuk.
Unsealed Alien and Conspiracy Files
Unsealed Alien and Conspiracy Files is a nationally syndicated program that debuted in September 2012.
Unsealed: Alien Files is a 30 minute program that investigates recently released government documents regarding alien and UFO encounters, made accessible to the public in 2011 by the Freedom of Information Act. Each week, Unsealed: Alien Files tackles one compelling alien case by opening these previously off-limits secret files. Based on the newly discovered information the show re-examines key evidence and follows developing leads to investigate mass UFO sightings, personal abductions, government cover-ups and breaking alien news from around the world.
Unsealed: Conspiracy Files also investigates the previously top-secret files made public by the Freedom of Information Act. Based on the new information discovered, the show re-examines faulty assumptions, searches for inconsistencies, and explores new leads, questioning popular beliefs and arming viewers with information to make their own decisions.
Zoo Clues
Zoo Clues is a 30 minute E/I program that tackles the animal kingdom’s most mind-blowing questions, like these: Can birds fly backwards? Are whales fish? Do dogs sweat? Questions and clues are presented, giving viewers a chance to guess the right answers. The investigation of the answers takes viewers on a fast-paced and entertaining tour of the animal kingdom.
Coolest Places On Earth
Coolest Places on Earth is a broadcast syndicated program airing in the United States. "The Coolest Places on Earth" takes viewers on a journey of discovery to the most astonishing places on the planet – cities, festivals, landmarks and jaw-dropping works of nature – exploring each location’s history and culture, learning why it deserves to be called one of the coolest places on earth.
State To State
State to State is a new broadcast syndicated program set to release for the 2014-2015 season. "State to State", travels to every entertaining nook and cranny of America. The hectic dazzle of the Big Apple. The rawhide spirit of Wyoming. The revival of St. Louis. The innovation of Silicon Valley. The music of New Orleans and Austin. The Vegas Glitz. The La Glamour. The highest peaks. The driest deserts. The biggest events. And the hidden gems. Everything from State to State. Let’s hit the road.
Previously produced shows
Safari Tracks
Safari Tracks is a 30-minute educational wildlife show focusing on African wildlife, comprising 52 episodes and produced in standard definition. Hosted by Benjamin Brown, Safari Tracks takes viewers on an African safari each episode- focusing on African wildlife and the magnificent and mysterious world of these animals, all in their natural habitat. "Safari Tracks" currently airs on Bounce TV, Trinity Broadcasting Network, and international markets.
Wildlife Jams
Wildlife Jams is a half-hour E/I television program focusing on how animals behave and promotes awareness and responsibility toward wildlife issues. Each episode takes viewers on an exciting journey through the animal kingdom to discover how animals behave and thrive in their native habitats, all to the soundtrack of critically acclaimed jazz musicians.
Family Style with Chef Jeff
Family Style with Chef Jeff is a nationally syndicated show in the US beginning in Fall 2013. Family Style features Chef Jeff Henderson who demonstrates how good choices in the kitchen can lead to a life changing experience for the whole family. Chef Jeff Henderson is an award winning chef, best selling author, and prominent public speaker.
Now Eat This with Rocco DiSpirito
Now Eat This with Rocco DiSpirito is a nationally syndicated program that debuted on September 15, 2012 starring celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito. Each 30-minute episode focuses on an individual or family’s food issues and health: a couple struggling to lose weight; a mom trying to feed her budding athletes; a family trying to eat right on a tight budget; a dad fighting diabetes; or a family simply desiring to live a healthier life. Rocco then challenges families to commit to a healthier lifestyle by making over their diets with simple recipes that families can make at home. Rocco explains how people can eat what they love but still be healthier by cutting out processed ingredients, bad fats and empty calories. Rocco arms his guests with the recipes, ingredients and cooking skills necessary to maximize the value and flavor of their favorite meals. The program shares its title with Rocco's best selling cookbook series and New York based food truck.
Distribution
Bellum's programs are syndicated nationally in the United States and air in all top 25 distribution markets. In 2012, Animal Atlas and "On The Spot" was broadcast to over 80% of US households. Animal Atlas also previously aired in Spanish on Telefutura and the VOOM HD Network,
In December 2008, LongNeedle and educational digital content distributor Kidthing teamed up to offer select episodes of Animal Atlas in kidthing's store for download.[1]
Home entertainment
In September 2008, LongNeedle partnered with home entertainment distributor NCircle Entertainment to release Animal Atlas on DVD and distribute the show online. The first DVD, Animal Passport, was released on December 23, 2008. Bellum now has a collection of fourteen home entertainment titles including Puppy Party, Animal ABC's, Animal Atlas Family Time, Kitten Party and Monkeying Around. The most recent release was "Pet Party" on October 16, 2012.