BBC Earth is part of a global strategy created and shaped by research into audience demand, and is based on the strengths and heritage of BBC’s factual content. As BBC Worldwide’s brand for premium factual content – from natural history and the human world, to outer space and science-, the channel, a rebrand of BBC Knowledge, launched on 3 October in Asia. Prior to this, BBC Earth has launched in Nordics, Poland, South Africa, and Latin America.
The new channel will inspire audiences by sharing the incredible wonders of the universe, showcasing the work of the world’s foremost factual film makers as it takes audiences on a journey of discovery.
From the smallest creature under the microscope to the limitless expanses of space, BBC Earth will bring viewers face to face with heart pounding action, mind blowing ideas and the wonders of being human.
David Weiland, EVP for BBC Worldwide Asia says, “The premiere of BBC Earth in Asia is an important step in BBC Worldwide’s strategy to inspire audiences with intelligent, distinctive content. With BBC Earth, we will now have a compelling way to share premium BBC factual content with audiences in Asia and around the world. With an increased investment into new and premiere content, we are confident that BBC Earth will strike a chord with viewers in Asia.”
BBC Earth is part of a multi-touchpoint brand that includes live events, fixed attractions, consumer products, and theatricals. Examples include the Planet Earth Earth concerts (in Asia, they have been held in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan & Hong Kong). There are also plans to expand ORBI, a fixed attraction in Yokohama, to another city in Japan next year. Predators, a new giant screen movie will also be coming out to Asia next year.
The nearly 60 years-old BBC’s Natural History Unit (NHU) has produced multi-award winning series like The Blue Planet and Planet Earth. The NHU currently produces around 100 hours of television, making it one of the largest wildlife documentary production houses in the world. This further strengthens BBC Earth’s potential to presenting quality content for audiences all around the world.
A significant part of their programming strategy is to go forward to save the best natural history titles for BBC Earth. For example, the channel will be premiering The Hunt less than 24 hours after the UK telecast. The Hunt is a landmark natural history series that explores the dynamic relationship between predators and their prey. It is narrated by David Attenborough and executive produced by Emmy award winning producer, Alistair Fothergill. Other eye-catching titles to look out for include Shark, Lands of the Monsoon, Life Below Zero, Infested, Xploration Earth 2050, and David Attenborough’s Natural Curiosities.
