Smithsonian, Blue Ant set up Camp

The Camp Zambia project will lead to 50 hours of 4K programming

US cablenet Smithsonian and Canadian channels operator Blue Ant have teamed with UK indie Plimsoll Productions to launch a 4K natural-history project called Camp Zambia.

The project will see the three companies produce 50 hours of 4K wildlife and nature programming during the next two years from a production facility in the African country.

Content will range from blue-chip footage of animal behaviour to engaging, character-led series.

The programming will roll out on Blue Ant’s Love Nature Canadian and international SVoD and television offering and Smithsonian Networks’ standalone streaming service, Smithsonian Earth, in the US. Blue Ant International will also license the content worldwide.

Plimsoll’s production team includes executive VP of international production Andrew Jackson (North America, Frozen Planet, Africa), head of wildlife Martha Holmes (Blue Planet, Manhunters, Life) and series editor James Smith (Tribe, Amazon with Bruce Parry).

LA-based Bleeding Fingers Music, a Hans Zimmer and Extreme Music partnership, has been commissioned to compose original music for the project.

The deal follows December’s news that Smithsonian and Blue Ant are forming Blue Skye Entertainment, a joint-venture production business focused on wildlife content.

Blue Ant’s Love Nature strand subsequently launched as an SVoD service in 32 countries around the world in February.

Plimsoll Productions was launched by former Zodiak USA CEO Grant Mansfield in 2013.