Nat Geo Sets Doomsday Specials

National Geographic Channel in December will air three specials that explore theories surrounding the end of the world.

On Dec. 2, the network will premiere Evacuate Earth, which examines how humankind could cope if we had to start over again, said network officials. The next night, Nat Geo will debut The Mayan Apocalypse 2012, which will reveal how the ancient Mayan prophesy regarding the end of the world has spawned survival communities in which people hoard food and supplies; and Maya Underworld, in which journalist Diego Buñuel searches through underwater Maya tombs to unearth new revelations about the predicted Mayan apocalypse date of Dec. 21, 2012, said network officials.

The specials will follow the Nov. 13 second-season premiere of the network’s most-watched original series, Doomday Preppers, which chronicles families that are preparing for the world’s end.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.