Cruise News: Costa Concordia Docu-dramas to Air

Other than sharing statements with timely updates of the Costa Concordia grounding, I haven't felt comfortable "reporting" on the accident. I wasn't there and have no first-hand impressions to share, so I've been waiting to find out exactly what happened just like everyone else is. The Italian authorities are holding hearings to get to the bottom of the situation that led to the accident and I'm sure there will be information forthcoming when the investigation is complete.

While there are two television shows planned for American audiences that purport to give insight into the grounding and sinking of the ship as well as the experience as recounted by survivors, I came across a 4-part series of videos online, which were produced in Great Britain and might offer something of a preview of what the National Geographic Channel (airing tonight) and Discovery Channel (airs Feb 19) have on tap. Details of when you can view those US televised shows are below, but the videos of the recent documentary shown in the UK are embedded here. I'm not familiar with the videos' producers, but I believe that their films are non-sensational and may end up being the least "tabloid" version of events to date.









National Geographic Channel (NGC) announces the premiere of the first U.S. documentary detailing the modern-day Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster in a moment-by-moment account, told primarily through the eyes of those who experienced it.

Premiering Sunday, Feb 12, at 7 pm ET and again Monday, Feb 13, at 10 pm ET, NGC’s one-hour special "Italian Cruise Ship Disaster: The Untold Stories" weaves together in-depth stories from passengers and staff on board as well as Coast Guard rescuers with stunning home video (some never before seen on U.S. television) and CGI to reconstruct the sinking of the Costa Concordia as it happened.

While I don't have a complete description of the Discovery Channel program, "Cruise Ship Disaster: Inside the Concordia" will air on Sunday, Feb 19, at 10:00 pm EST and will also be replayed several times. Check your local listings for times.