Tomorrow kicks off, in my opinion, the most important TV event of the year: BBC Earth’s Seven Worlds, One Planet. The first episode, “Antarctica,” premiers in the United States on Jan. 18 at 9 pm Pacific Time on AMC, BBC Earth, IFC and SundanceTV.
*Note: The series aired in Europe and Asia last fall, making it 2019’s most important TV event as well.*
I’m sorry This is Us, Olympic coverage, Super Bowl Sunday, Academy Awards or even Trump’s impeachment coverage. Nothing compares to David Attenborough taking on the planet’s greatest threat.
Why ‘Seven Worlds’ reigns supreme
It’s not just Sir David’s soothing voice that makes BBC Earth series worth watching or the never-before-seen wildlife footage that reveals the amazing relationships of the natural world and the importance of biodiversity. It’s the way 93-year-old Attenborough (an esteemed naturalist) describes how species have evolved over thousands of years to adapt perfectly to their environment. Finally, it’s the way a close examination of our fellow animal species reveal that we are much more alike than we are different.
Recent BBC series like Planet Earth II and Our Planet have followed a pretty simple formula. First, draw viewers in with incredible footage. Second, establish the importance and beauty of natural relationships. Third, show how they are being disrupted by human activity. And it works, at least it certainly worked on me. I was already passionate about wildlife and nature, but watching One Planet on Netflix helped me realize that there is no barrier between human life and “natural” life. It’s all interconnected, whether we choose to believe so or not.
Based on the trailer, I would only expect Seven Worlds, One Planet to build on this formula and further break down this divide.
Via YouTubeBeyond entertainment value – which it will certainly have in spades – Seven Worlds, One Planet is sure to make viewers question their place on Earth. And I say let it! Ask yourself if it’s OK that one species is altering the planet faster than the others can adapt? Question which aspects of your own life are contributing to biodiversity loss.
Let David Attenborough make you think, and then act accordingly. Oh, and pay attention during the commercial breaks to see what the cable advertisers try to do with your attention.
Feature photo by Kris Mikael Krister on Unsplash.
