
Television’s #1 weekend wildlife show, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, has been renewed through the 2028-2029 Season on NBC by Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG) in partnership with Mutual of Omaha. The Daytime Emmy® nominated series will return to NBC’s “The More You Know” educational/informational weekend program block for its third season on October 4 – bringing audiences more thrilling adventures and inspiring wildlife conservation stories.
This fall, wildlife expert Peter Gros and wildlife ecologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant will take audiences across the globe to showcase stories of wildlife conservation. From tracking elusive wolverines in the rugged North American backcountry, to diving deep in the vibrant ecosystem of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, to joining conservationists working to reintroduce species like bighorn sheep in California’s snow-capped mountains, each episode highlights inspiring efforts to protect the wild. This season, the series partners with like-minded conservation brands and organizations, including Fahlo and Tourism and Events Queensland, to help bring these stories to viewers.
“At its heart, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild is about more than showcasing incredible wildlife – it’s about inspiring curiosity and action. The series continues to motivate new generations to become conservationists, and we’re honored to carry forward this legacy for years ahead through impactful storytelling,” said Jennifer Wulf, vice president, brand marketing for Mutual of Omaha.
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, which averaged more than a million weekly viewers for the 2024-25 broadcast season, has earned five Daytime Emmy® nominations, 36 Telly Awards, the BAFTA’s albert certification for sustainable production – as well as the Environmental Media Association’s (EMA) Green Seal in recognition of its sustainable production practices for Season 2 and again for Season 3.
“Through our partnership with Mutual of Omaha and NBC, this series continues a legacy of extraordinary storytelling,” said Bryan Curb, HMPG executive vice president and general manager, education/information. “And, in turn, the show has had a productive impact, inspiring a new generation to appreciate wildlife conservation efforts.”
HMPG’s current program portfolio comprises more than 30 original series and hundreds of hours of original content annually on leading broadcast networks and station groups and on connected TV and streaming platforms. It has a series library of more than 6,000 episodes and its content can be found in 100 countries.
In addition to airing on NBC’s “The More You Know” educational/informational program block, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild is also available on Peacock and NBC.com. Season 2 of the series will premiere in Spanish on Telemundo October 4.
About Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom
Since its network television premiere in 1963, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom has been one of the most loved and respected wildlife programs in television history. The Daytime Emmy® nominated Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, now airing weekends on NBC’s The More You Know educational/informational weekend program block, celebrates stories of conservation success, including the great work of caring, compassionate experts and how they are making a positive impact on the Wild Kingdom. For more information about Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, visit wildkingdom.com.
About Mutual of Omaha
Founded in 1909, Mutual of Omaha is a highly rated, Fortune 500 organization offering a variety of insurance and financial products for individuals, businesses, and groups throughout the United States. As a mutual company, Mutual of Omaha is owned by its policyholders and committed to providing outstanding service to its customers. For more information about Mutual of Omaha, visit mutualofomaha.com.
About Hearst Media Production Group
Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG), a business unit of Hearst Television, is an independent producer and distributor of original programming for TV stations, broadcast and cable networks and streaming services. HMPG produces hundreds of hours of Emmy® Award-winning programming annually across linear, streaming, digital and social media platforms for domestic and international distribution in 100 countries. Its popular weekly educational/informational (E/I) programming blocks air weekends nationwide including “Weekend Adventure,” on ABC stations; “CBS WKND,” on the CBS Network; “The More You Know,” on the NBC Network; “One Magnificent Morning,” on the CW Network; “Mi Telemundo” on the Telemundo Network and “Go Time” on independent stations. HMPG also produces and/or distributes a diverse slate of other programming and content including the company’s dedicated FAST channels Xplore, The Jack Hanna Channel, Rovr Pets, and Lucky Dog Channel, available on some of the most popular smart TVs and streaming platforms. HMPG has offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Charlotte. HMPG is represented by United Talent Agency.