Sky 3D and Colossus Productions have today announced that GALAPGOS 3D WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, a ground-breaking new three part series, will launch on New Years Day at 7pm, with the following episodes airing on Saturday 5th and 12th January. The series will also be simulcast in 2D on Sky 1/HD.  

Filmed in one of the most extreme and hard-to-reach locations in the world, GALAPAGOS 3D WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH is the multi-award winning natural history broadcaster’s fourth collaboration with Sky 3D. Using pioneering 3D-techniques and technology to explore the unique environments and species of the Galapagos, GALAPAGOS 3D WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH takes viewers on a voyage to understand the stunning archipelago which changed the way we see the world and has long-remained a place of true interest with the nation’s favourite naturalist.

Each of the 3 x 60’ episodes will cover different chapters in the history of the Galapagos Islands. Origin (1st January)looks at how the islands rose explosively from the ocean four million years ago, with episode two, Adaptation (5th January),investigating the evolutionary innovations which helped life develop into unique and spectacular form. Evolution(12th January),the concluding episode, explores the fact that no two islands in the Galapagos are the same and we see the final footage of the islands’ world-famous giant tortoise Lonesome George, the last survivor of his species, who sadly died earlier this year. David Attenborough was the last person ever to have filmed with him.

David Attenborough comments: “It’s only now that the latest developments in camera technology have given us the possibility of filming the full range of wildlife in 3D, and the first place I wanted to put that to the test was the Galapagos. “I mean, lizards that swim, swim down to the bottom of the seabed and graze seaweed, has to be really an extraordinary thing. Galapagos is full of dramas, and it is also full of very, very charismatic animals which, because they’re uniquely unafraid of humans, you can get up close to and film: it’s a natural for 3D.”

Anthony Geffen, Producer and CEO of Atlantic Productions adds: “This was one of the most challenging 3D documentaries ever undertaken; it involved working in extremely difficult locations on land, in the air and under the sea using custom built kit. But the resulting 3D allows you to step into the Galapagos as if you are actually there with David Attenborough, experiencing the extraordinary wildlife and discovering the history of these magical islands.”

John Cassy, Director, Sky 3D, comments: “In Galapagos 3D, we’re offering Sky customers the unique opportunity to explore one of the world’s most fascinating environments in incredible detail with David Attenborough. Marking his fourth visit to the islands and the start of his 61st year in broadcasting, this three part series combines Attenborough’s natural history knowledge with his curiosity and passion for re-discovering the world in a new dimension – with stunning results.”

Since launching Sky 3D in October 2010 Sky has broken new ground across a range of genres, including natural history, live music, the arts, spots and movies. Highlights have included David Attenborough’s KINGDOM OF PLANTS 3D WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, a number of summer music festivals, opera and ballet, Kylie Minogue live from the O2, Got to Dance, the 3D TV world premieres of Avatar, Alice in Wonderland and the Toy Story Trilogy as well as more than 150 live sports broadcast spanning a range of domestic and international sports.

GALAPAGOS 3D WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH premieres at 7pm on Sky 3D and will be simulcast in 2D on Sky 1 HD.

Notes to editor

For further information or interview requests please contact:

Jai Dattani / Nick Baxter

Freud Communications

Tel: +44 (0) 203 003 6448/ 658

Mob : +44 (0) 7870 656 962

jai.dattani@freud.com / nick.baxter@freud.com

http://skypressoffice.co.uk/

Photography available from stillsdepartment@bskyb.com

Notes to Editors:

Sky 3D and Atlantic Production’s first 3D film Flying Monsters 3D with David Attenborough won the Specialist Factual award at the 2011 Arqiva British Academy Television Awards.

London based production facilities company ONSIGHT provided cutting-edge shoot technology and support, followed by post production for stereoscopic finishing.

Synopsis:

Episode 1:  Origin (1st January) The islands of the Galapagos rose explosively from the ocean four million years ago. Although life would not seem viable in such a remote Pacific outpost, the first arrivals landed as the fires still burned. David Attenborough explores the islands for the animals and plants that descend from these pioneers: from the sea birds carrying the seeds that made a tentative foothold on these rocks, to equator-dwelling penguins and a dancing bird with blue feet. 

This is a story of treacherous journeys, life-forms that forged unlikely companionships, and surviving against all odds. It is the story of an evolutionary melting pot in which anything and everything is possible. 

Episode 2:  Adaptation (5^th January) Once life arrived in the Galapagos, it exploded into unique and spectacular forms. David Attenborough investigates the driving forces behind such evolutionary innovations.   We learn that life must be able to adapt quickly in these ever-changing volcanic landscapes. It has resulted in species found nowhere else in the world, such as giant whale sharks and marine iguanas that can spit sea-salt from their noses, dandelion seeds that grow into tree-sized plants and spiders that can blend perfectly into the darkness. 

Adaptation has been the key to survival in these islands so far, but the story of life in the Galapagos doesn’t end here. The catalyst that triggers these explosions of life remains in place.

Episode 3:  Evolution (12^th January) No two islands in the Galapagos are the same. The imperceptible drift of a continental plate keeps each island biologically isolated. David Attenborough explores this evolutionary crucible, encountering tortoises that weigh up to half a tonne, finches that use tools and lizards that communicate using press-ups; for Darwin, this was all evidence for his theory of evolution. We see the final footage of the world famous tortoise fondly known as Lonesome George, the last survivor of his species.   David Attenborough was the last person to have ever filmed with him. 

Darwin’s famous visit had a downside – the arrival of man. David investigates the impact we’ve had in these islands, as our influence is a double-edged sword. We’ve disrupted the natural balance but he also believes Darwin would be thrilled with the advances we have made in science. We’re also now uncovering evidence that evolution is more rapid than Darwin could ever have imagined. Whatever wonders the Galapagos Islands hold today, they are only a hint of what awaits them in the future.

About Sky:

Sky entertains and excites more than 10.4million homes through the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland.  Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky 1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Living pushes ahead with fresh and innovative entertainment formats; Sky Arts is the UK's only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Atlantic is the home to HBO and other iconic drama and comedy, Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; Sky News remains a pioneer in television news; and Sky Movies is leading the way in High Definition and on-demand.

Sky also works with dozens of other broadcasters on the satellite platform, as well as online and on mobile through the ground-breaking Sky Go service.  Sky has also led the UK into the age of high definition television, launched Europe's first 3DTV channel, Sky 3D, and offers customer even more flexibility and choice through Sky Anytime+, its internet-delivered video on demand service.  Since launching Sky Broadband and Sky Talk in 2006, the company has also been the UK's fastest-growing home communications provider.

Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates, not least by increasing participation in, and access to, the arts, supporting grassroots sports, and taking positive action on the environment.

About Atlantic Productions:

Atlantic Productions is one of the world’s leading factual production companies. In 2011 it won a BAFTA, three Emmys and best IMAX award for three different productions. It was also nominated as Best Independent Production Company in  2012 by Broadcast Magazine. 

Productions for Sky 3D include the BAFTA-winning FLYING MONSTERS 3D WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH; THE BACHELOR KING 3D; David Attenborough’s KINGDOM OF PLANTS 3D, and the upcoming GALAPAGOS 3D .   FLYING MONSTERS 3D has won numerous awards, including the Best 3D film at both The Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and Best 3D Wildscreen; the Special Award for Innovation at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam; and the Best Science Film from The Association of International Broadcasters. 

Other Atlantic highlights include: triple Emmy-winning David Attenborough’s First Life; The Emmy-winning Jerusalem – City of Heaven; BAFTA-nominated Munich: Mossad’s Revenge; the triple Emmy-nominated The Promised Land five-part series, narrated by Morgan Freeman, and the award-winning three-part series, Prohibition; Nefertiti Resurrected; The Link and Predator X; Egypt Unwrapped; The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization and Rome Unwrapped.

The Company’s productions are complemented by pioneering cross-platform initiatives. FLYING MONSTERS 3D and THE WILDEST DREAM – CONQUEST OF EVEREST  are currently showing in IMAX cinemas worldwide, and the Flying Monsters App has been downloaded over 1m times. THE BACHELOR KING 3D will launch in commercial cinemas in 2013. KINGDOM OF PLANTS 3D will be released in IMAX in 2013 too, following the launch in 2012 of the Kingdom of Plants App (App Store’s Editor’s Pick May 2012) and an accompanying book and 3d Blu Ray Disc release.

About Colossus Productions:

Colossus Productions is the production company formed by Sky and Atlantic Productions in 2011. The joint venture was created to develop and make high-end 3D programming for UK and international audiences, including the rapidly growing number of Sky 3D homes. GALAPAGOS 3D with David Attenborough is it’s first series. Currently in production is MICRO MONSTERS 3D.  

About The Galapagos Islands:

Situated in the Pacific Ocean some 1,000 km from the South American continent, these 19 islands and the surrounding marine reserve have been called a unique ‘living museum and showcase of evolution’. Located at the confluence of three ocean currents, the Galápagos are a ‘melting pot’ of marine species. Ongoing seismic and volcanic activity reflects the processes that formed the islands. These processes, together with the extreme isolation of the islands, led to the development of unusual animal life – such as the land iguana, the giant tortoise and the many types of finch – that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection following his visit in 1835.