BBC and PBS in a co-production deal

The BBC and PBS have signed a new multi-title co-production deal that will lead to the creation of eight to ten new programming specials.

Veteran broadcaster Sir David Attenborough will feature in some of the nature specials, announced by PBS President and CEO Paula A. Kerger at the PBS portion of the Television Critics Association Press Tour. In the United States the shows will feature both as specials and in ongoing PBS series including Nature and Great Performances.

The deal represents about 20 hours of programming and the new programs will air on BBC One in the UK and PBS local affiliates in the US, Broadband TV News reports.

“As two of the world’s leading public media organizations, we are thrilled to partner with the BBC to expand the range of exceptional programming available to our stations and their audiences,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS. “PBS and the BBC share similar public service missions and the same commitment to producing entertaining and educational programming of the highest quality. We look forward to a long and successful partnership bringing the best from both organizations to the table.”

“This deal allows BBC and PBS to develop and deliver a wealth of the highest quality multi-genre factual content — which will entertain and inspire audiences across the country,” commented Matt Forde, EVP, TV Sales and Co-Productions, BBC Worldwide North America. “Our organizations have a long-standing relationship in bringing the best of British content to American audiences, with critically acclaimed titles like Sherlock and Call the Midwife, and this is the perfect foundation on which to extend this partnership into the factual space.

“PBS is a great partner who shares our passion to give audiences new knowledge and insights and to be inventive in how we tell stories,” said Natalie Humphreys, controller of production at the BBC across all factual genres. “We’re both committed to the very highest editorial standards and that puts this partnership on a very sure footing and makes working together such a pleasure.”

Titles in the first year include Earth’s Natural Wonders, Super Nature: Flight Revealed and Walking Giants.