BBC AMERICA APRIL HIGHLIGHTS

NO KITCHEN REQUIRED - WORLD PREMIERE

BBC AMERICA's new original adventure cooking competition series, No Kitchen Required, follows three chefs as they are dropped into the most exotic and remote places on earth. There they must work with the locals to hunt, fish and forage for ingredients to create locally-inspired meals that will be judged by the communities. The three fearless chefs are award-winning New York restaurateur Michael Psilakis, first ever Chopped Grand Champion chef Madison Cowan, who has roots in London, Detroit and Jamaica, and New Zealand Chef Kayne Raymond. The trio leave the comforts of their kitchens as they are dropped into ten locations around the world including Dominica, New Zealand, Belize, Fiji, Chiang Dao - Thailand, Koh Lanta - Thailand, Hawaii, New Mexico, Louisiana and Florida. The series is hosted by British presenter Dr. Shini Somara (BBC's The One Show, BBC World News' The Health Show), who joins the chefs on the adventure. No Kitchen Required premieres Tuesday, April 3, 10:00pm ET/PT. Twitter: #NoKitchenRequired

RICHARD HAMMOND'S CRASH COURSE - WORLD PREMIERE

Richard Hammond, host of the world's biggest car show Top Gear, takes the ultimate driving test in BBC AMERICA's new original series Richard Hammond's Crash Course. As he travels across the US, Hammond learns how to operate America's largest and most dangerous vehicles. Immersed in some of the country's most extreme environments, he has only days to master the skills it takes to maneuver the monstrous machines, a task it takes years for most people to achieve. Throughout his journey Hammond works closely with the local experts who operate these machines daily while getting a true taste of American hospitality. Following a special two-hour Top Gear season 18 premiere, Richard Hammond's Crash Course premieres Monday, April 16 at 10:00pm ET/PT. Twitter: #RichardHammond

TOP GEAR - SEASON 18 - US PREMIERE

Top Gear is back for a mind-blowing season 18 full of amazing stunts, challenges and special features. Find out why this season has been anticipated like no other as the Top Gear trio - Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May - take cars to the limit and beyond, often in some of the most far-flung corners of the world. Plus Richard Hammond is in Texas to immerse himself in the world of NASCAR racing. Stars in the Reasonably Priced car include Ryan Reynolds, Will.i.am, Matt LeBlanc, Doctor Who's Matt Smith and more. The special two-hour premiere of Top Gear airs Monday, April 16 at 8:00pm ET/PT. The series will then move to its regular time slot with new episodes airing on Mondays at 8:30pm ET/PT. Twitter: #TopGear

BBC AMERICA CELEBRATES EARTH DAY WITH PLANET EARTH

PLANET EARTH MARATHON - US PREMIERE

The original Planet Earth series makes its US broadcast premiere on BBC AMERICA as part of a very special two-day celebration of Earth Day. This will be the first time the landmark series will broadcast in the US in its entirety with its original narrator, world famous naturalist Sir David Attenborough. The Planet Earth marathon begins Saturday, April 21, 6:00am - Sunday, April 22, 9:00PM ET/PT. Following the Planet Earth marathon, go behind-the-scenes for an eye-opening look inside the epic eleven-part series with the world premiere of the two-hour special, The Making of Planet Earth, Sunday, April 22, 9:00pm ET/PT. Twitter: #PlanetEarthBBCA #DavidAttenborough

PLANET EARTH

Starting April 29, BBC AMERICA proudly presents two episodes every Sunday of the original Planet Earth series narrated by Sir David Attenborough. From the world's greatest rivers and impressive gorges to the mightiest mountains, the hidden underground caves and caverns, Planet Earth is the ultimate picture of our world. Planet Earth airs Sunday, April 29 with back-to-back specials at 8:00pm and 9:00pm ET/PT. Twitter: #PlanetEarthBBCA #DavidAttenborough

PLANET EARTH SPECIALS - WORLD PREMIERE

Take an up close look at Planet Earth's most amazing moments in four specials dedicated to the world's most fascinating wildlife. The Planet Earth series is re-imagined in these specials, breathing surprising new insight into the series' iconic stories from the wild. The Planet Earth specials premiere over four consecutive weeks, beginning Sunday, April 29, 10:00pm ET/PT.

Planet Earth: Extreme Predators - a matchless compilation of the most dramatic hunting sequences from the series. Premieres Sunday, April 29, 10:00pm ET/PT.

Planet Earth: Extreme Survival - extraordinary survival in the wild. Premieres Sunday, May 6, 10:00pm ET/PT.

Planet Earth: Extreme Journeys - all the remarkable stories of global animal migrations gathered for the first time in one place. Premieres Sunday, May 13, 10:00pm ET/PT.

Planet Earth: Incredible Families - showcasing the most breathtaking and touching courtship, birthing and parenting behaviors. Premieres Sunday, May 20, 10:00pm ET/PT.

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW - SEASON ELEVEN - US PREMIERE

Graham Norton returns to BBC AMERICA - bringing his renowned comedy monologues, eccentric stories, and of course, today's hottest stars for the eleventh season of the UK's biggest talk show. Kate Winslet, Johnny Depp, Robin Williams, Salma Hayek, Coldplay, Jude Law, Robert Downey Jr., Reese Witherspoon and Gerard Butler were just a few of the fantastic guests to visit Graham's trademark orange couch in season ten. In the all-new season you can count on more great guests, laugh-out-loud stories, outrageous characters, and Graham Norton. The eleventh season of The Graham Norton Show premieres Saturday, April 28, 11:00pm ET/PT as part of the Ministry of Laughs. Twitter: #GrahamNorton

THE THICK OF IT - SEASON THREE - US PREMIERE

The BAFTA award-winning team is back for another series of acclaimed political comedy. The Thick of It stars Peter Capaldi (In the Loop, Torchwood: Children of Earth) as the Prime Minister's Machiavellian spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker, who seeks to unpick the latest muddles that have been dumped onto his plate. This season follows the newly appointed Secretary of State for Social Affairs and Citizenship, Nicola Murray (played by Rebecca Front, The Catherine Tate Show) and her used-up team of advisors as they struggle to achieve anything at all under Malcolm's watchful eye. The Thick of It premieres Saturday, April 29, 12:00am ET/PT as part of the Ministry of Laughs. Twitter: #ThickofIt

SPORT RELIEF SPECIALS

Soccer legend David Beckham, TV royalty Stephen Fry and the inimitable Jeremy Clarkson join a roll call of the biggest names in sports and entertainment as they join forces in Sport Relief, one of the UK's biggest television events of the year, to raise money for good causes around the world. BBC AMERICA will premiere a series of Sport Relief specials on April 1. Twitter: #SportRelief

THE MILLION POUND BIKE RIDE - BBC AMERICA PREMIERE

The full story of how a group of comedians and entertainers, led by Little Britain and Come Fly With Me's David Walliams, completed a grueling non-stop journey across Great Britain in aid of Sport Relief. The Million Pound Bike Ride premieres Sunday, April 1, 7:00am ET.

JOHN BISHOP'S WEEK OF HELL - BBC AMERICA PREMIERE

British stand-up comedian John Bishop embarks on what will truly be a week of hell - and all to raise money for Sport Relief. John will attempt to travel from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to reach Admiralty Arch in London in just 5 days using only a bicycle, a rowing boat and his own two legs. John Bishop's Week of Hell premieres Sunday, April 1, 8:00am ET.

SPORT RELIEF DOES THE APPRENTICE - BBC AMERICA PREMIERE

No-nonsense self-made millionaire Sir Alan Sugar is set to test the business skills of ten top celebrity candidates from the worlds of media, sport and entertainment, in a special edition of the UK Apprentice for Sport Relief. Sport Relief Does the Apprentice premieres Sunday, April 1, 9:00am ET.

LITTLE BRITAIN'S BIG SWIM - BBC AMERICA PREMIERE

Little Britain star David Walliams braves freezing waters and the world's busiest shipping lane during his epic attempt to swim 21 miles across the English Channel to raise cash for Sport Relief. Little Britain's Big Swim premieres Sunday, April 1, 10:30am ET.

DAVID WALLIAMS' BIG SWIM - BBC AMERICA PREMIERE

Having conquered the English Channel for Sport Relief in 2006 - Little Britain and Come Fly With Me star David Walliams dons his trunks once more to undertake a marathon challenge to raise money for Sport Relief. This time his aim is to swim the length of the River Thames and cover a distance of 140 miles in just eight days. David Walliams' Big Swim premieres Sunday, April 1, 11:30am ET.

THIS IS SPORT RELIEF - BBC AMERICA PREMIERE

Stephen Fry introduces the world to Sport Relief as BBC AMERICA brings the British charity event to the US audience. This is Sport Relief premieres Sunday, April 1, 12:30pm ET.

SPORT RELIEF GOES GLOBAL - BBC AMERICA PREMIERE

Presented from the iconic London Mall - scene of last year's Royal Wedding - Great British charity event Sport Relief is launched onto the international stage with a four-hour extravaganza of comedy and entertainment. Highlights will include special films from Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, a special edition of Outnumbered, James Corden's Smithy character from Gavin & Stacey meets soccer legend David Beckham, and a series of classic sketches from the cream of British comedy. The show will also include inspiring documentary films showing how Sport Relief cash is helping to change people's lives around the world. Sport Relief Goes Global premieres Sunday, April 1, 1:00pm ET.

ROYAL WEDDING ANNIVERSARY SPECIALS

Get ready for the one year anniversary of the Royal Wedding by tuning in on weekday mornings for specials covering all things royal. And celebrate on the big day once more with the premieres of brand new specials on the wedding and Royals, airing back-to-back starting Sunday, April 29, 1:00pm ET.

· Harry's Arctic Heroes - US Premiere

· Royal Wedding Highlights Anniversary Special - US Premiere

· Britain's Royal Weddings - BBC AMERICA Premiere

ONGOING PREMIERES

Other series that will continue to premiere new episodes during April include:

Tuesdays: Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares

Wednesdays: Whitechapel

Saturdays: Being Human, The Graham Norton Show, Battlestar Galactica, Katy Brand's Big Ass Show