New David Attenborough Programs Coming to the BBC

LONDON: Two new natural-history programs featuring Sir David Attenborough have been commissioned by the BBC, including a one-off special that celebrates the famed naturalist's 90th birthday.

In the hour-long special Inspiring Attenborough: Sir David at 90, broadcaster Kirsty Young will sit down with the documentarian to speak about his career, the inspiring people he has met and his journeys. He and Young will be joined by filmmakers, zoologists, conservationists, biologists, anthropologists, as well as pioneers from the world of broadcasting.

Light on Earth, a one-hour program, looks at the world of bioluminescence. It will explore the light produced by glow worms, fire flies, luminous plankton and more.

Tom McDonald, the head of commissioning for natural history and special factual formats at the BBC, said: “2015 has been an outstanding year for natural history on the BBC. Big Blue Live achieved a number of world firsts, including the very first live broadcast of a blue whale, while landmark series The Hunt on BBC One is currently astounding over five million viewers each week. The Watches are going from strength to strength, and series such as Japan, Pets: Wild At Heart, Shark and Alaska: Earth’s Frozen Kingdom have brought new audiences to our natural history content; and we have much more to come next year with our innovative migration series The Great Race, and our blue-chip landmark series, One Planet.

“The two new programs demonstrate the integral role David continues to play in the success of natural history on the BBC. With Great Barrier Reef launching soon, Waking Giants in the new year and these two new titles for 2016, I’m delighted to have such a rich range of projects with David airing in the same year as his 90th birthday.”