BBC Studios nets first non-Beeb order

The Red List will follow wildlife conservationists around the world

BBC Studios, the UK public broadcaster’s new commercial production arm, has secured its first third-party commission with an order from Discovery Channel.

The Red List is described as “a two-hour ground-breaking film, following the work of dedicated wildlife conservationists across the globe.”

It is being produced by BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit (NHU), which has previously produced blue-chip wildlife shows such as Planet Earth and Blue Planet.

The series will follow the conservationists as they compile the latest version of eponymous list, which is widely seen as the most comprehensive record of the state of the world’s wildlife.

Steve Greenwood is producer/director for BBC Studios while John Hoffman and Jon Bardin serve as executive producers for Discovery Channel.

Mark Linsey

Mark Linsey, who was named chief creative officer at BBC Studios in November, said the third-party commission from Discovery “heralds a new dawn for BBC Studios and is a really exciting moment in the history of the BBC.”

He added: “On top of that, The Red List is being made by BBC Studios’ world-renowned Natural History Unit so will be unmissable television. I couldn’t be more proud of Lisa Opie and Julian Hector and his team at the NHU.”

Julian Hector, head of the NHU at BBC Studios, said: “With the rate of species’ extinction being terrifyingly high, never has it felt more important to tell the stories of those species on the brink and the heroes working to save them; we are delighted to have the opportunity to do just that.”

Rich Ross, group president at Discovery Channel and Science Channel, described BBC Studios’ NHU as “the expert in creating content about the natural world. This collaboration couldn’t be more perfect.”

BBC Studios is the commercial production division of the UK public broadcaster, creating programmes for both the BBC and third-party operators.

Its output for the BBC includes Strictly Come Dancing, Antiques Roadshow, EastEnders, Top Gear, award-winning drama Three Girls, Louis Theroux’s latest documentary series and Drugsland on BBC3.

Late last year, BBC Studios merged with the pubcaster’s commercial sales arm BBC Worldwide, bringing the UK pubcaster’s programme production, sales and distribution together under one roof.