discovery+ Unveils Natural-History Doc Slate

discovery+ is set to launch with a catalog of natural-history documentaries and specials that includes A Perfect Planet, narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

The new five-part series explains how the living planet operates, showing how weather, ocean currents, solar energy and volcanoes drive, shape and support Earth’s diversity of life. In doing so, it shows how animals are adapted to whatever the environment throws at them. The first four episodes of A Perfect Planet look at the natural forces, while the last focuses on the human force and impact on the natural world.

A Perfect Planet is a Silverback Films production for BBC and Discovery, co-produced with Tencent Penguin Pictures, ZDF, China Media Group, CMG Film, Drama and Documentary Programming Center, France Télévisions and The Open University.

Among the other titles available on the streaming service at launch on January 4 is Mysterious Planet, a five-part series narrated by David Schwimmer that examines the Earth’s greatest evolutionary mysteries. It is produced by NHNZ, a Blue Ant Studios company, and NHK in association with ARTE France and Youku for Discovery Channel.

The platform will also host the U.S. premiere of Judi Dench’s Wild Borneo Adventure, produced by Atlantic Productions for ITV and discovery+, and The Impossible Row, produced for discovery+ by Matador Content.

In preparation for the discovery+ launch, Discovery Channel will present a natural-history marathon on December 31. It will feature North America, Serengeti and Expedition Unknown.