BBC Studios & Shanghai Media Group Pact for Natural History Series

BBC Studios and Shanghai Media Group (SMG) have inked a three-year agreement to bring the series Kingdom, Blue Planet III and Hidden Planet to SMG’s Dragon TV.

Both parties are also pledging to continue exploring brand development opportunities in China. The new agreement follows the deal for BBC Studios’ landmark natural history series Asia, which will launch on SMG’s Dragon TV on November 5.

Kingdom is a co-production with ZDF and France Télévisions for BBC One and iPlayer. Filmed over four years in one location in Zambia, it will dramatically chronicle the real-life sagas of four African animal families.

Blue Planet III, the next installment of the BBC’s critically acclaimed underwater flagship series, returns to traverse the world’s oceans for six one-hour episodes. Blue Planet III is a co-production with BBC America for BBC One and iPlayer.

Hidden Planet will dive into the secret world of insects to showcase new behavior, new insights and drama across five episodes. It features advances in camera technology, first pioneered by The Green Planet.

Jonny Keeling, head of BBC Studios Natural History Unit, said: “These are three stunning series that demonstrate the quality and breadth of original natural history filmmaking at BBC Studios. Building on our legacy, each series brings a unique approach to wildlife storytelling, both on the land and underwater. And with groundbreaking camera technology, we can now showcase compelling stories and extraordinary new behavior which was previously impossible to film. We are very excited to partner with Shanghai Media Group to take these emotionally impactful programs to more viewers in China.”

Yin Xin, VP of Shanghai Media Group, said: “We are delighted to once again collaborate with BBC Studios to bring the best of British documentary content to our viewers across China, showcasing SMG’s commitment to being more open and international. Providing a snapshot into habitats we can only dream of visiting, these three series will capture the hearts and minds of millions across the country, inspiring more of us to take an interest in nature and appreciate its fragile beauty.”