DISCOVERY CHANNEL AND BBC TO CO-PRODUCE EPIC TELEVISION EVENT FROZEN PLANET SET TO PREMIERE IN 2012
-- Produced by BBC's award-winning PLANET EARTH team --
(Silver Spring, Md.) Continuing its tradition of groundbreaking, blue-chip natural history programming, Discovery Channel is once again partnering with the BBC Natural History Unit the same team that produced the globally successful PLANET EARTH series to co-produce a new landmark documentary called FROZEN PLANET. This highly ambitious eight-part series is set to air in 2012 and will be shot entirely in high definition using cutting edge technology -- the Cineflex, manufactured by Axsys to allow for undisturbed observation of animal behavior. The project will chronicle the eco systems and animals of the Arctic and Antarctic, which is extremely timely given that both Polar Regions are at the front-line of climate change research.
The Arctic and Antarctic remain the greatest wilderness on Earth. The sheer power of the elements and the resilient animals that inhabit the poles are unmatched anywhere else on our planet. Much of these regions and animal behaviors have never been filmed before. Until recently the Russian Arctic has been closed to filmmakers, and most of Antarctica's most spectacular scenery has never been recorded. Almost all polar wildlife feeds in the sea, and yet the whole under ice world remains unseen.
"Core to Discovery Channel's mission is to educate viewers about the world around us and show them things that have never been seen before through new technologies," said John Ford, President and General Manager of Discovery Channel. "It is exciting to be working with the BBC on a project that takes a deeper look at two of the most extreme areas on the planet. FROZEN PLANET will amaze viewers in its majesty and inform viewers about the Arctic and Antarctic as the climate changes and the plant and animal life has to evolve or perish."
Commented Susanna Pollack, SVP Sales, Co-productions and Children's, BBC Worldwide America: "Co-productions are a great way for broadcasters to invest in quality productions right from the start. We are so thrilled that Discovery - a valued partner in this landmark production - will once again be working with the hugely talented BBC Natural History Unit on another ground breaking series."
Following each episode, three minutes of exclusive behind-the-scenes footage will show viewers exactly how FROZEN PLANET filmmakers secured the series' most memorable images. Additional behind the scenes stories and video, and in-depth information about our planet and its animals and habitats, will be available in the FROZEN PLANET website on Discovery.com. The site will also include a news feed, photo gallery, and informative games and puzzles.
FROZEN PLANET is a BBC, Discovery Channel, Discovery Channel Canada, Antena 3 (Spain), ZDF (Germany) and Skai (Greece) co-production. The global partnership was facilitated by BBC Worldwide. Vanessa Berlowitz is the Series Producer and Alastair Fothergill is the Exec Producer for the BBC. Discovery Channel was a co-production partner with the BBC for the award-winning natural history series PLANET EARTH and BLUE PLANET.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications is the world's number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com . Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information, please visit, www.discoverycommunications.com.
