About The Programme

Each 50-minute program peers into this watery world, with spectacular footage exploring shores and shallows teeming with life, and uncovering unseen depths.

Dive deep into the open ocean as the cameras explore the huge variety of life explored in Blue Planet - A Natural History of the Oceans. Experience the frozen seas swarming with hidden life, and plunge into the warm coral seas, and marvel at a rainbow of fish. All this footage is captured on amazing time-lapse photography, in never-before seen locations. From plentiful plankton to dangerous deep-sea predators, this series will definitely have you hooked.

Programme 1: Ocean World

This programme explores the sheer scale, power and complexity of our oceans, as they dominate our weather systems and support a huge variety of life. From the largest whales to the smallest plankton all are governed by a complex system of biological and physical forces.

Programme 2: The Deep

The ocean disguises a world of hidden mountain ranges and perpetual darkness, with extreme pressures and bone-chilling cold. On the ocean floor lurks primitive creatures with cavernous mouths and cruel teeth lurking 1km below the surface.

Programme 3: Open Ocean

The open ocean is truly awe-inspiring. The sea bed is a staggering eight kilometers deeper here, and the nearest island is 500km away. Delve under the surface and you will find huge schools of sardine and yellow tails sheltering under floating matter.

Programme 4: Frozen Seas

The air temperature is 70C below freezing in the winter. Only in spring does life begin, as the ice retreats and light reaches the water. Watch in awe as the plankton blooms and hordes of migrating birds, whales, seals and polar bears emerge.

Programme 5: Seasonal Seas

The seasonal sea thrives on shafts of sunlight, allowing billions of plankton to grow every spring and summer, which creates a fertile ‘green’ sea. Forests of giant kelp, the fastest growing plant in the world thrive, harboring a teeming sea life, from sea otters to squid, while sharks circling to pick off the vulnerable.

Programme 6: Coral Seas

Incredible time-lapse photography shows the dramatic formation of a coral reef and its rich oasis of life. Bathed in sunlight and warm water, this tropical rainforest of the sea is a visual feast. Gaze at an explosion of colour as a rainbow of fish fight for territory, food and allies.

Programme 7: Tidal Seas

Marine lives are governed by the tidal flow, as tidal marshes are one of the most productive parts of the world. The abundance of plant life supports numerous animals, and in turn predators. This extraordinary programme shows how the crashing waves provide protection and exposure for vulnerable sea life.

Programme 8: Coasts

The boundary between the sea and the coast is an exciting place. Millions of birds come to the land to breed, turtles lay their eggs and sea lions emerge to give birth. In turn killer whales come crashing in on the surf to steal the sea lions’ young.