Discovery Preps Ambitious Natural History Series

SILVER SPRING: Discovery Channel has inked a multi-year production deal with Keith Scholey, ex-head of BBC’s Natural History Unit, and his outfit, Wild Horizons, for a series of documentaries exploring the globe, continent by continent, kicking off with Wild Planet: North America.

Billed as the most ambitious documentary to date about the North American continent, the seven-part series has been fully commissioned by Discovery Channel for premiere on its networks worldwide. It begins filming in HD this year and promises an all-encompassing view of the North American continent from the arctic to Mexico and covers topics including mountains, forests, deserts, plains, coasts and rivers.

"Embarking a project of this magnitude is a jewel in the crown at Discovery Channel," said John Ford, the president and general manager of Discovery Channel. "Wild Planet: North America will highlight the sweeping beauty and majesty of the continent and its rich diversity. Having Keith at the helm is guaranteed to deliver a series that will ignite our viewers’ passion for the world around them."

Scholey, the director of Wild Horizons, added: "North America has everything; majestic scenery, spectacular wildlife and vast areas of pristine wilderness. Discovery has given us the resources to do this magnificent continent justice, showing it to the American people in the most spectacular fashion. It’s a huge privilege to be making such an important series."