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Tag: Sir David Attenborough

  • Planet-ary applause as Sony BBC Earth honours Attenborough at 99

    Planet-ary applause as Sony BBC Earth honours Attenborough at 99

    MUMBAI: From jungles to ice caps, volcanoes to urban sprawls Sir David Attenborough has taken us everywhere without leaving the sofa. This 8 May, Sony BBC Earth rolls out the green carpet for the voice that has defined nature storytelling for generations. As Sir David Attenborough turns 99, the channel will celebrate the global treasure with a 12-hour programming marathon featuring his most iconic works from awe-inspiring jungles to icy wilderness, and the whispering secrets of plants to the thunder of migrating herds.

    Running from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, the tribute includes classics like Life, Planet Earth II, and Seven Worlds, One Planet, alongside newer gems like Mammals, The Green Planet, and the visually dazzling Planet Earth III.

    The special programming will feature a marathon of acclaimed series and episodes, including:

    •  LIFE: This breathtaking series explores the glorious variety of life on Earth and the spectacular and extraordinary tactics animals and plants have developed to stay alive.

    •  LIFE STORY: Narrated from the lens of animals, this captivating series follows their journey from birth to parenthood. Each episode focuses on one stage of life, starting with the early days to the challenges of the grown-up world.

    •  Frozen Planet II: Frozen Planet II explores Earth’s icy realms, showcasing the incredible wildlife that inhabits them. The series delves into the unique challenges and adaptations of life in these extreme, frozen environments.

    •  Planet Earth II: Exploring the diverse habitats and animal life found across the globe, Planet Earth II highlights the challenges animals face in a changing world. From bustling cities to remote islands, the series reveals the wonders of our planet.

    •  The Green Planet: The series offers a unique perspective on the world of plants and their complex lives. It explores their intricate relationships and surprising behaviours of how plants communicate, defend, and reproduce, revealing a lesser-known world to viewers

    • Mammals: The series reveals their unique adaptations, survival strategies, and complex social behaviours of mammals – from the smallest shrew to the largest whale. Sir David Attenborough uncovers the secrets of their success in every corner of the planet.

    • Seven Worlds, One Planet: Unveiling the unique wildlife and habitats of each of Earth’s continents, each episode showcases the distinct evolutionary journeys and survival struggles found on these seven diverse landmasses. The series captures the breathtaking beauty and fragility of our planet’s continents.

    •  A Perfect Planet: A Perfect Planet examines the powerful natural forces that shape our planet. The series reveals how interconnected systems like weather, oceans, and volcanoes create the conditions for life to thrive. Sir David Attenborough explores how these forces work in harmony.

    • Planet Earth III: Showcasing the wonders of the natural world in stunning detail, this series delivers breathtaking footage of our planet’s most extraordinary landscapes and creatures. It also addresses the pressing challenges facing wildlife in our rapidly changing world.

    Expect breathtaking cinematography, moving narratives, and gentle reminders of the beauty and vulnerability of the natural world. Series like Frozen Planet II and A Perfect Planet go beyond pretty pictures, diving into the science behind nature’s resilience and the fragile harmony keeping life on Earth ticking.

    Each episode is a window into a different world, narrated with Attenborough’s signature blend of wonder, wisdom, and urgency. Whether it’s a baby penguin’s first slide on ice or the slow-motion unfurling of a rainforest fern, his storytelling makes even the smallest detail feel monumental.

    So if you’re in the mood to be awed, educated, and deeply moved, tune in on 8 May. It’s not just a birthday bash, it’s a masterclass in seeing the world through the eyes of someone who’s spent a lifetime making us care about it.
     

  • Sony BBC Earth to premiere ‘Mammals’ on 21 October

    Sony BBC Earth to premiere ‘Mammals’ on 21 October

    Mumbai: Sony BBC Earth will premiere Mammals, a six-part series narrated by Sir David Attenborough, on 21 October 2024. The series explores the diverse world of mammals and their adaptations to a rapidly changing planet. It features species such as African elephants, snow leopards of the Himalayas, and marine and arctic mammals, showcasing their unique survival strategies and relationships with their environments. Attenborough’s narration offers insight into their resilience and intelligence. The series will air at 12:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Sony BBC Earth.

    Sony Pictures Networks India CMO & business head, Hindi movies, English, Bengali, Marathi, infotainment channels Tushar Shah said, “We are excited to bring Mammals, a captivating series that explores the extraordinary world of the animal kingdom, to Sony BBC Earth. This show portrays the resilience, intelligence, and beauty of mammals while also highlighting the challenges they face in a rapidly changing environment. Our commitment to delivering exceptional content remains strong, and we are dedicated to bringing our viewers the best-in-class experience through it.”

    Mammals’ executive producer Roger Webb said, “I was a big fan of the original Life of Mammals series, which was 20 years ago, and lots has changed in that time. I felt there’s a story to be told about mammals today, and how they’re adapting to us and all the changes that are going on in the world. Through the episodes, we explored this adaptability and the ability to cope with almost any situation and environmental condition. It shows the fact mammals can live in the coldest places and the hottest places on earth, and they can go down a mile plus in the ocean. They all have similar traits and things in common that make them mammals, but they can do the most incredible things as a group. It’s also great that we’ve got Sir David Attenborough at the top of the series. He is the master of storytelling; he sets us on an absolutely right path by explaining how mammals have risen to be so successful today.”

  • Five BBC Player edutainment shows for your watchlist

    Five BBC Player edutainment shows for your watchlist

    Mumbai: As we celebrate Teachers’ Day, it’s the time to celebrate the wonders of learning with an exceptional lineup of shows that blend excitement with education, only on BBC Player on Prime Video Channel. Check out these five standout shows this Teacher’s Day.

    Horrible Histories

    If you think history is boring, think again! Horrible Histories takes you on a wild ride through the most outrageous and hilarious moments of history. Based on the bestselling book series of the same name by Terry Deary, this children’s live-action historical and musical sketch comedy series brings history’s most gruesome, unpleasant, yet hilarious moments to life. From the savage stone age to the groovy Greeks and vile Vikings, it explores the naughty and irreverent sides of history. Through energetic sketches and humour, Horrible Histories provides children a glimpse into the different historical events in an engaging and educational format.

    JoJo & Gran Gran

    JoJo & Gran Gran isn’t just a delightful, animated show; it’s a heartwarming glance into family life and cultural heritage. Follow JoJo and her lively grandmother as they explore their London neighbourhood and explore Saint Lucian traditions. The series provides valuable lessons about community, diversity, and the joy of spending time with loved ones. Catch the new season on BBC Player on Prime Video Channels starting 27 September.

    Andy’s Global Adventures

    Get ready to travel the world with Andy’s Global Adventures. Join Andy, Jen, and their AI buddy Scout as they explore every corner of the globe, meeting amazing animals and solving natural history mysteries. From chameleons in Sri Lanka to penguins in Antarctica, this exploration series makes learning about wildlife and conservation an exciting journey. The next set of episodes arrive on BBC Player on Prime Video Channels from 25 October onwards.

    Planet Earth III

    The legendary Sir David Attenborough’s planet journey continues with Planet Earth III showcasing breathtaking visuals and deep dives into the natural world. The much-loved documentary series takes you through diverse habitats and showcases the incredible adaptations of animals. It also addresses current environmental challenges, offering insights into how climate change and human activities impact wildlife. The series helps viewers understand the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the importance of preserving our planet. Available on BBC Player on Prime Video Channels from 13 September.

    Steve and Aneeshwar Go Wild

    Join Steve Backshall and young conservationist Aneeshwar Kunchala on Steve and Aneeshwar Go Wild as they visit zoos and safari parks to meet some of the most fascinating animals. From the world’s biggest land animal to unique underwater creatures, this show highlights how all creatures, big and small, are connected. The show highlights how even the most unusual animals are connected, offering an engaging look at wildlife and the importance of conservation.

    Celebrate Teachers’ Day with these fantastic shows that blend fun and learning seamlessly. BBC Player on Prime Video Channels has the perfect mix of educational content and entertainment to inspire and engage viewers of all ages.

  • Top shows of Sir David Attenborough to watch on Sony BBC Earth

    Top shows of Sir David Attenborough to watch on Sony BBC Earth

    Mumbai : Sony BBC Earth has been showcasing stories of curiosity and adventure taking viewers to corners of the globe otherwise unexplored. The channel’s landmark natural history shows such as the Planet Earth series have always struck a chord with the viewers for their compelling storylines and magnificent representation. A huge credit goes to Sir David Attenborough, the legendary broadcaster and naturalist who gave the wild a voice.

    Celebrating the birthday of the legend, Sony BBC Earth, the home of Sir David Attenborough, is showcasing a selection of his groundbreaking documentaries and series. Below are a few of his shows that you can add to your watchlist.

    1.    Frozen Planet I & II: The six-part series takes people on an expedition to the world’s coldest areas – the high mountains, frozen deserts, snowbound forests, and ice-cold oceans, to explore the wildlife in these regions. Filmed in the ultra-high definition using the very latest camera technology, and featuring dramatic new behaviours, intimate stories, and sensational natural spectacles captured on camera for the very first time, it gives viewers a chance to experience the wonders of our planet’s frozen realms.

    2.    Perfect Planet: The series reveals how perfectly our planet is set up to nurture life. It shows how sunlight, weather, ocean currents and volcanoes all work together in an intricate balancing act to shape and support the great diversity of life on Earth. The episode that focuses on volcanoes showcase how magma from the planet’s molten core builds land, and the mineral-rich ash from eruptions fertilises the surface.

    3.    Natural Curiosities: Sir David Attenborough presents a collection of his favorite natural curiosities found throughout the animal kingdom from armored giants to crafty insects where you can witness some new lives with adventurous mysteries in it. Each episode features two species connected by a distinctive evolutionary quirk.

    4.    Blue Planet 2: The series features a variety of revolutionary segments never seen in a video documentary. The species include cuttlefish that hypnotize crabs to stun them, giant trevally that leap out of the water to catch low flying birds, and newly discovered dancing yeti crabs.

    5.    The Green Planet: The show makes viewers dive into a world where a single life can last a thousand years. It takes them to the private, hidden existence of plants who are not as violent, competitive, and theatrical as animals, engaged in life-or-death contests for food and light, fierce territorial battles, and desperate attempts to reproduce and disperse their young.

    6.    Planet Earth II: The show is an immersive exploration of the jungles, mountains, deserts, islands, grasslands, and cities of the world. It takes viewers to the four corners of the globe to discover the extreme forces that shape life in each of these iconic landscapes and the remarkable ways animals manage to overcome the challenges of surviving in the wildest places on Earth.

    To know more, tune in to Sony BBC Earth from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

  • Sony BBC Earth to premiere ‘Frozen Planet’ in India

    Sony BBC Earth to premiere ‘Frozen Planet’ in India

    Mumbai: The second season of the flagship television series Frozen Planet from Sony BBC Earth is about to make its Indian debut.

    Frozen Planet II is narrated by Sir David Attenborough and produced by the acclaimed Natural History Unit of BBC Studios in association with BBC America, the Open University, Migu Video, ZDF, and France Television. After an eleven-year hiatus, the eagerly anticipated six-part series is back on television.

    Sony Pictures Networks chief marketing officer & business head (English cluster & Sony AATH) Tushar Shah said, “Frozen Planet II is one of the biggest properties to make its way to Sony BBC Earth this year. While the first season of the show received a positive response from viewers, we hope that with this release we can provide an unparalleled experience of the frozen world and the life that thrives in it despite all odds. We are committed to offering the best to our viewers. We look forward to bringing more of this exclusive and premium content to the channel.”

    On 17 October, Frozen Planet II will have its world premiere. It will take viewers on an exploration of the fauna found in the globe’s highest mountains, frozen desserts, snow-covered forests, and ice-cold waters. This six-part series offers an opportunity to discover the wonder of our planet’s frozen realms like never before. It was shot in ultra-high definition using the most advanced camera technology, and it features dramatic new behaviours, intimate stories, and sensational natural spectacles captured on camera for the very first time.

    Frozen Planet II executive producer Mark Brownlow added, “With Frozen Planet II, we want to captivate viewers through new stories, breath-taking drama, and stunning landscapes to drive home the message that these true wildernesses on earth are literally vanishing right before our eyes at a speed faster than we can imagine and how these changes are impacting wildlife.”

    The first season of Frozen Planet, which has received a total of 10 awards and nine nominations, including four Primetime Emmys overall, takes viewers on an unprecedented trip around the polar areas of our planet. The channel hopes to increase viewers’ visual gratification with the debut of its sequel, Frozen Planet II, by providing them with yet another captivating glimpse into the frozen world, this time focusing on a planet that is about to undergo a significant transformation.

    Sony BBC Earth has also started an on-air contest in conjunction with the premiere of the series, and the winners will receive special invitations to the celebrity screenings taking place in several major cities. Additionally, lucky winners will have the chance to win food and drink coupons that may be used at affiliated businesses.

  • Sony BBC Earth gears up for launch of ‘A Perfect Planet’

    Sony BBC Earth gears up for launch of ‘A Perfect Planet’

    MUMBAI: In Sir David Attenborough’s words –“This is the most important story of our time.”

    A Perfect Planet explores how everything about our world is perfectly suited to our existence. For the first time, this series focuses on the powerful natural forces –volcanoes, sun, the weather and the ocean currents – all of which work together in an intricate balance to make Earth the only planet in the solar system that can support life. But how does this occur? Unfolding the varied aspects of our natural world and how they blend to create life, Sony BBC Earth is ready for the premiere of A Perfect Planet on 8 March 2021.

    Shot over four years, across 31 countries and six continents, this five-part series narrated by Sir David Attenborough shows how animals of all shapes and sizes perfectly adapt to whatever the environment throws at them. While the first four episodes define the power of volcanoes, sunlight, weather, and oceans, the finale episode highlights the dramatic impact of the world’s newest force –humans, and what can be done to restore the equilibrium and protect life on our unique and precious planet.

    Ensuring that the audience doesn’t miss out on this spellbinding visual experience due to the pandemic, Sony BBC Earth hosted a first of its kind exclusive virtual premiere ahead of the Indian television premiere. The channel created an immersive virtual experience by bringing alive the beauty and grandness of the series and offering a glimpse of all the five episodes, from the comfort of their homes. The screening was open to celebrities, media, and winners chosen out of a contest on social media and school students across the country. The virtual premiere is open for everyone to watch till 14 March at https://sonybbcearth-aperfectplanet.com/

    The channel has tied up with Grow-Trees, a web-enabled, cost-effective platform to plant several trees on behalf of prominent celebrities from the industry and sent out hampers with personalised certificates under their name. Celebrities like Tahira Kashyap, Sonali Bendre, Hina Khan, Mini Mathur, Nakuul Mehta, Pooja Gor, amongst others took to their Instagram advocating the thoughtful initiative and giving a shoutout to the series premiere. 

    Beyond the virtual premiere, the series is promoted strongly on social media through a month-long campaign. With the aim of making the series more appealing to digital first audiences, Sony BBC Earth is also creating co-branded promotional content with popular social media influencers Abhishek Upmanyu and Jordindian.

    The channel has also put out animated, 3D-effect social media posts and will host an Insta Live with series producer Huw Cordey on the day of the premiere.

    Sony Pictures Networks India English channels EVP & business head Tushar Shah said, "A Perfect Planet is yet another milestone series from Sir David Attenborough that presents the story of earth's power and fragility and drives a powerful message about how human actions are impacting the perfect balance of natural forces. Through this one-of-a-kind virtual premiere, our endeavour was to deliver a truly immersive viewing experience to audiences in an impactful manner. This has been yet another digital-first and innovative initiative that reinforces our brand promise."

  • Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur premiers march 11 on Sony BBC Earth

    Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur premiers march 11 on Sony BBC Earth

    MUMBAI: Dinosaurs are one of the rarest species to exist on our planet. While there have been multiple investigations and advances to understand the world of reptiles, dinosaurs however, remain mysterious. This month, Sony BBC Earth will premiere a show outlining the most intriguing prehistoric discoveries; Watch ‘Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur’ starting Sunday, March 11th at 9pm.

    Legendary presenter Sir David Attenborough, brings out the discovery of world’s largest-known dinosaur – a new species of titanosaur. Attenborough and a team of scientists worked relentlessly for 2 years to piece together a 37-metre long skeleton from over 220 bones. Coupled with state of the art graphics, the show tells the story of how life of such a giant was possible and looks at why the species got extinct.

  • Explore wildlife and landscapes of Madagascar on animal planet

    Explore wildlife and landscapes of Madagascar on animal planet

    MUMBAI: Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and is home to 5% of the world’s plant and animal species, of which more than 80% are found only there.New species are still being discovered every year;hence conservationists are currently placing Madagascar as a top priority.

    Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, Animal Planet’s mini-series MADAGASCARpaints the definitive portrait of this truly remarkable island continent. Airing every night at 10:00 PM from December 23 to 27, Animal Planet takes viewers to an island full of strange places and bizarre animals including the charismatic ring-tailed lemurs and the enigmatic Sifaka. The land is also home to more chameleons than anywhere else and the biggest bugs and weirdest spiders in the world. From the rain-drenched forests to the arid extremes, the seriesMADAGASCAR explores the extraordinary wildlife and dramatic landscapes of a fascinating, but fragile, island unlike anywhere else on Earth.

    Madagascar is country that has never been filmed in such detail before. It’s one of the few places left on Earth where there are still wildlife mysteries. Animal Planet brings the weird and wonderful, the beautiful and unique qualities of this island to Indian television screens for the first time.Viewers discover an amazing collection of wildlife, many of which have never before been filmed – cyanide-eating lemurs, cannibalistic frogs, meat-eating plants, cryptic leaf-tailed geckos, tadpole-eating wasps, tunnel-digging chameleons and house-proud flycatchers are just some of the weird and wonderful wildlife featured in this programme.

    Much of Madagascar’s extraordinary wildlife is under threat – from hunting and loss of habitat – and none more so than in the south of the island. Sir David Attenborough said, “We are still unravelling the mysteries of Madagascar’s wildlife. How tragic it would be, to lose it before we’ve even understood it.”

    Lying just off the coast of Africa, Madagascar is a land of misty mountains, tropical rainforests and weird spiny desert scrub.The great mystery of Madagascar is its unique and varied flora and fauna – a diversity of life that makes even the famed Galapagos Islands fade into insignificance by comparison. What is it that makes Madagascar so different from the rest of the world? Discover how the island’s remarkable past has produced its intriguing present, like the Tsingy – a series of jagged limestone peaks which have cut off animals in isolated gorges, allowing them to evolve into their own unique species.

    An island of extremes, where the east is cloaked in soaking rainforest, the west and south is almost a desert. The south of Madagascar is home to its most extraordinary landscapes – from forests of ‘upside down’ trees, to alien ‘spiny deserts’. In stark contrast to the east, this is a place that’s bone-dry for most of the year – but it’s extraordinarily rich in wildlife. Here only the toughest and most opportunistic survive – and some of the strategies for survival are ingenious. The series ravels from the highest mountains, where trees are few and it’s cold enough for frost, through the lush, cloaking rainforests, down to the tropical coast, discovering the ringtailed lemurs, the jewelled geckos and the predatory wasps. So what is it that has made this narrow eastern strip in particular sorich in life? To know, watch MADAGASCAR, every night at 10 pm from December 23 to 27, only on Animal Planet.
    Did you know?

    • Madagascar, the world’s oldest island, broke off from Africa and India and has been on its own for more than 70 million years. In splendid isolation, it has evolved its very own wildlife – more than 80% of it is found nowhere else.
    • Sifakas – The Marojejy Massif is the last sanctuary of one of Madagascar’s rarest lemurs, the elusive, ghostly-white silky sifaka. It is estimated that only 200 of these endearing creatures are left on Earth.
    • In the lush rainforests of Ranomafana hides one of Madagascar’s most remarkable animals, the golden bamboo lemur, only discovered a few years ago. It is incredibly specialised, eating just one species of bamboo, a plant loaded with highly-toxic cyanide. Every day they consume twelve times the lethal dose of this poison with no ill-effects – no-one knows how they can do this!
    • Living in the iconic baobab forests on the west of the island are huge-eyed mouse lemurs – the world’s smallest primates – emerging at night to feed on the sugary droppings of bizarre fluffy bugs.