CHAT THE PLANET

A groundbreaking weekly television series that links articulate young people around the world via digital conferencing technology, Chat the Planet gives them the opportunity to speak about issues they care about.

Chat the Planet is entertaining and upbeat. Prerecorded video inserts capture the visual essence of each topic and serve as instigators in the conversation. The participants share their perspectives and opinions on everything from music and pop culture to world issues and ethics. Viewers can access the CHAT THE PLANET website at any time to discuss issues in real time with other visitors, see clips of the show, meet participants from other episodes, and get information about everything from current events to pop culture.

Chat the Planet launches with Bridge to Baghdad II, a follow-up to a program aired two weeks before the war on Iraq in which six young Americans in a loft in Manhattan and seven Iraqi teenagers at an art gallery in Baghdad spoke freely about their lives in a historic videophone dialogue. Days after the U.S. declared the war officially over, a crew was sent to Baghdad to rediscover the young Iraqis, who were emerging to begin their adult lives in a strange new world. Bridge to Baghdad II allowed these two groups to resume their conversation that was cut short by the war.

Bridge to Baghdad II was co-produced by DCTV and Chat the Planet.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What is Chat the Planet?
Chat the Planet is a groundbreaking new television series that uses new video conferencing technology to connect young people around the world, creating a forum in which they can speak about issues that are important to them, in order to break down barriers and foster tolerance.

What kinds of people are on Chat the Planet?
We are committed to creating a diverse group of young people which is representative of differing viewpoints on both sides of the link. Participants are mostly between the ages of 17 and 23.

Who is producing Chat the Planet?
A unique quality of the show is that it is a collaborative effort.

NEXTNEXT ENTERTAINMENT is a production partner whose expertise is translating its knowledge of the diverse and ever-evolving urban youth culture into vibrant television. Under the leadership of Laurie Meadoff (founder of The CityKids Foundation), Kate Hillis, and Amy Novogratz, this team brings over 20 years of creating innovative media programming for youth.

RAPID BLUE is a production partner with one of the largest production houses in South Africa. Rapid Blue has produced over 5,000 hours of quality television, and is a leader in youth related programming.

Who is funding the series?
The Shei'rah Foundation was founded three years ago by Howard Rosenfeld and Sheryl Leach, the creator of Barney. Their mission is to fund and support media projects that bring positive and uplifting messages to the world. Chat the Planet web activities are funded by a grant from the Surdna Foundation.

Where can I see Chat the Planet?
Chat the Planet will be airing in the U.S. on Link TV. The series will also be broadcast on Fly TV in Australia, SABC in South Africa, and other international networks.

What countries are involved?
Currently, the first Chat series encompasses two shows from each of the following: South Africa, Australia, and Jordan. In addition, we recently co-produced "Bridge to Baghdad", a DCTV and Chat the Planet special, which linked youth from America to young people from Iraq one week before war broke out. The show was featured on MTV's TRL and Good Morning America.

What is the Chat Network?
Viewers can access Chat the Planet any time at our website, chattheplanet.com beginning in May. There, they will be able to discuss issues in real time with other visitors, see clips of the show, meet participants from episodes, and get information about everything from current events to pop culture. Chattheplanet.com is launching in partnership with TakingITGlobal, Global Youth Action Network, YouthNOISE, and The CityKids Foundation in order to collaborate with a global youth movement of activists.

How do I learn more?
Check out our website beginning in May at chattheplanet.com, or contact Alexandra Ries at 212-654-6736 or [email protected].