Planet Earth, the BBC Natural History Unit’s most ambitious ever natural history series and one of BBC Worldwide’s most successful international titles, is coming to South Africa on television, DVD and as a book. (This is a good example of how a production company/ broadcaster can create revenue streams across different media platforms.)
Five years in production, over 2000 days in the field, using 40 cameramen filming across 200 locations, Planet Earth is the ultimate portrait of our planet. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, the series takes audiences on an unforgettable journey through the challenging seasons and the daily struggle for survival in Earth’s most extreme habitats. 
Planet Africa has been sold by BBC Worldwide to more than 35 territories internationally and has broken television viewing records and met with universal acclaim the world over.
Starting Sunday 3 December at 18:00, SABC3 will screen the complete Planet Earth, reintroducing viewers to the first five programmes in the ground-breaking series and then premiering the concluding six episodes, each of which continues the epic story of life on Earth.
As part of the cross-platform launch of the series, Nu Metro will be releasing the DVD of Planet Earth. Complete with all 11 episodes and a range of bonus material. The DVD will include the documentary The Future of Planet Earth, and behind the scenes film diaries which show the making of each of the 11 episodes.
In addition Random House South Africa will publish a hardback book to accompany the BBC series. The book includes a foreword by Sir David Attenborough, stories and recollections from the programme’s production team, and breathtaking photography.
Monisha Shah, BBC Worldwide’s Director of Emerging Territories, said of the upcoming launch of the series: “Planet Earth is a great example of what the BBC does best – landmark television which sets a new benchmark in natural history programming and which translates powerfully across a range of platforms. I’m sure South African audiences, like millions of others around the world, will embrace Alastair Fothergill’s extraordinary series.”
Planet Earth is a BBC / Discovery Channel / NHK co-production in association with the CBC. The series producer is Alastair Fothergill.
