New Zealand’s Sky to Debut BBC Earth in October

The new premium factual channel BBC Earth is slated to become available on Sky in New Zealand as of October 22, rebranding the existing BBC Knowledge.

BBC Earth will offer a variety of factual programming spanning natural history, travel and science, featuring such presenters as Sir David Attenborough, Michael Mosley, Louis Theroux, Professor Brian Cox and Steve Backshall. Titles at launch will include Planet Earth II, Spy in the Wild, My Year with the Tribe, Without Limits and Trust Me, I’m a Doctor. In November, the Being Human programming season will premiere.

Tim Christlieb, the director of branded services for BBC Studios in Australia and New Zealand, remarked: “We are delighted to be launching the BBC Earth channel on Sky, offering best-in-class premium factual programming fronted by the BBC’s renowned presenters. BBC Earth is a well-established global brand that uses compelling stories to engage audiences with the wonders of our universe. We are confident that this new channel will resonate with local audiences given New Zealanders’ strong connection to their natural environment, cultural curiosity and love of travel.

“While many of the familiar faces and shows on BBC Knowledge will transition to BBC Earth, we’ll be adding more natural history and adventure to the mix, and moving factual entertainment programs like Who Do You Think You Are?, Dragons’ Den, Traffic Cops and Top Gear to BBC UKTV.”

Travis Dunbar, Sky’s director of entertainment, added: “The BBC are globally renowned for the quality and diversity of their factual content, and we are delighted to be bringing BBC Earth to Sky customers.

“Through this global brand they can now access this unique mix of premium content while still watching the favorites they’ve come to know and love.”