Snapchat to Feature Exclusive Planet Earth II Content

NEW YORK/LONDON: A new partnership between BBC Worldwide and Snap Inc. will see an exclusive series of Planet Earth II programming being made available on Snapchat’s Discover Platform in the U.S. and Canada.

A first for mobile audiences, never-before-seen footage filmed for the landmark BBC series will launch on Snapchat a day before the show’s February 18 debut on BBC America in the U.S. and the recently launched BBC Earth in Canada. The content, produced by BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit, includes six exclusive episodes, each telling a new Planet Earth II story featuring scenes that have been specifically designed for Snapchat’s vertical mobile viewing experience. The episodes will each complement the theme of the TV episode premiere on BBC America and BBC Earth, but will feature story lines that are unique to Snapchat.

Tim Davie, the CEO of BBC Worldwide, said: “This collaboration is all about taking a mobile-first approach to our amazing natural-history landmarks. And reaching untapped audiences to showcase jaw-dropping content on Snapchat is the perfect way to pay testament to the filmmakers who produce these world-class shows.”

Nick Bell, the VP of content for Snap Inc., added: “For millions of Snapchatters, our app is their first screen—and this will be their first introduction to the unbelievable cinematic quality, story lines and stunning visuals of the Planet Earth franchise. We saw a unique opportunity to work with BBC Worldwide to reimagine Planet Earth II for our platform. We can’t wait for our community to get to experience it.”

Sarah Barnett, the president of BBC America, commented: “This initiative with Snapchat is the perfect partnership: a celebration of our amazing planet through an exclusive offering to Snapchat users, including many BBCA fans, who are some of the most plugged-in and digitally aware people on earth.”

Raja Khanna, the CEO of television and digital at Blue Ant Media (for BBC Earth in Canada), said: “Snapchat has offered us an incredible opportunity to reach out to a highly engaged millennial audience of animal and nature fans across Canada with the content they crave and on the platform they love.”