National Geographic Channels is partnering with GE on a new science anthology series, Breakthrough, executive produced by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer among others, highlighting the 2015-16 upfront slate. NGC CEO Courteney Monroe, president Tim Pastore and other executives and talent presented the programming plans for Nat Geo and Nat Geo Wild at a gathering at Má Pêche in New York today (April 15). They also celebrated that Nat Geo Channel's distribution had topped 90 million homes (see photo). The upfront event comes shortly after the channel had its most-watched program ever, Killing Jesus, which premiered last month.

Breakthrough, about huge achievements in science, will feature celebrity directors Angela Bassett, Peter Berg, Paul Giamatti (who attended the event), Akiva Goldsman, Ron Howard and Brett Ratner. The initial topics will be brain science, longevity, water, energy, pandemics and cyborg technology breakthroughs, NGC said. Other new series on tap are 50 States Of Survival;Primal Survival;The Great Human Race (an adventure challenge show) and The Yard, about shipbuilding operations.

Returning series include Life Below Zero, Drugs Inc., Wicked Tuna, Live Free Or Die and Brain Games. StarTalk, the new talk show hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson that's set to debut next week, will return in the fall with 10 more episodes, NGC said.

Events on the slate include Saints & Strangers -- a miniseries about the Mayflower pilgrims -- America's National Parks and History Of The World... For Now, from the writers of HBO's Silicon Valley.

New series coming to Nat Geo Wild include Vet School, set at Cornell University's veterinary teaching hospital, and Animal Storm Squad, about first responders who go after trapped and injured pets following a natural disaster. Returning series are: The Incredible Dr. Pol; Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet; Dr. K's Exotic Animal ER and Cesar 911 (with Cesar Millan). "Big Cat Week," "Barkfest II" and "Sharkfest" will be among the events on tap.

Photo: National Geographic Channels CEO Courteney Monroe, President Tim Pastore, Brain Games host Jason Silva and Life Below Zero star Sue Aikens celebrate that National Geographic Channel is now in 91 million homes at upfront on April 15 at Má Pêche in NYC. Credit: Scott Gries for National Geographic Channels.

Brenda Freeman, the former Turner Broadcasting and DreamWorks Animation marketing executive, has been hired as chief marketing officer for National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD, filling the post that was vacated when Courteney Monroe was made CEO of National Geographic Channels last April. Freeman's hire follows the appointment in September of Tim Pastore as president of original programming & production as Monroe moves to bolster her senior team.

Freeman joins from her most recent post as global head of television marketing for DreamWorks Animation, where she spearheaded the vision and global marketing efforts for the rapidly expanding DreamWorks TV business, managing brand marketing and advertising plans for more than 1,000 hours of original content around the world, NGC said in a release.

As CMO, Freeman will oversee the channels' marketing efforts, including brand development and strategy, consumer on-air and off-air campaigns, trade marketing, digital marketing, digital content, social media, media strategy, partnership marketing and all creative for NGC and Nat Geo WILD. She also will oversee the network’s consumer communications efforts, including consumer publicity campaigns, talent relations, special events, public affairs, education outreach and digital publicity for both networks.

“Brenda’s energy, insight and vast experience in entertainment marketing make her a great fit as we continue to elevate the National Geographic Channels within the industry and in the minds of consumers,” Monroe said in the release. “With her talents, we have another great addition to our senior team poised to take us to the next level.”

“I am thrilled to join Courteney and her team at such an exciting time in the evolution of the National Geographic Channels,” Freeman, who was a Multichannel NewsWonder Woman in 2014, said in the release. “Both channels have such exciting projects in the works, I cannot wait to get started. And it is a real treat to be able to return to my hometown.”

Freeman earlier spent six years at Turner Broadcasting, most recently as chief marketing officer for Turner Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media. At Turner, Freeman was responsible for all areas of marketing and network operations, including digital, games, on-air, advertising, consumer and trade communications, special events and affiliate support for the global multiplatform Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang brands.