Netflix shows Planet Earth to US

Netflix is continuing its push into the factual space with the acquisition of the BBC’s Planet Earth documentary series, narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

Planet Earth

The landmark series is now available to Netflix users in the US, marking the first time the project has been made available via a digital streaming subscription service in the region. The programme is distributed by BBC Worldwide North America.

Planet Earth was shot by 71 camera operators across 62 countries to capture never-before-seen wildlife footage. It was a BBC, Discovery Channel and NHK coproduction in association with Canadian pubcaster CBC.

The deal also includes BBC wildlife docs such as Blue Planet, Bears: Spy in the Woods and Life. Other BBC titles already available on Netflix include scripted shows Doctor Who, Luther, Top Gear, Wallander and Death in Paradise.

Last week, Netflix confirmed it was developing a 4K Planet Earth follow-up with producer Silverback Films, titled Our Planet, without the BBC attached.

Its debut to Netflix subscribers is set for 2019 and the company is billing the four-year project as one of the largest and most ambitious ever attempted in natural history filmmaking.

The venture is being led by Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey, who created Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and Blue Planet for the BBC before setting up Silverback Films in 2012.