Sky News announces release of eye-opening documentary The Plastic Nile

To view The Plastic Nile trailer on YouTube, click here.

The programme will launch on new Sky Documentaries channel

• Exclusive footage shows dire effects of plastic pollution on the Nile
• Disturbing revelations expose risk to millions of people and wildlife
• Scientific evidence demonstrates ongoing dangers of microplastics

Sky News has announced the release date of an exclusive documentary – The Plastic Nile – presented by award-winning Special Correspondent Alex Crawford. The documentary is one of the first to air on Sky Documentaries on 1st June at 9pm.

The Plastic Nile follows Crawford through Africa as she leads an investigation into the issues of plastic pollution from the river’s source of Lake Victoria, north to the mouth of the Nile in Egypt. As the team examines the knock-on effect of single-use plastic for the millions of people and wildlife that rely on the river for their survival, the revelations are more disturbing than anyone could have imagined.

From exposing the harm caused to food chains, to shining a light on the illegal black-market plastic bag trade in Kenya, this documentary reveals how human habits are destroying one of the world’s largest, oldest and most important waterways.

As the threat of plastic pollution and microplastics becomes a recognised global issue, The Plastic Nile is a visual reminder of the danger plastic waste poses to our world. From beginning to end, this documentary is a stark reminder of how quickly time is running out.

Sky News’ Special Correspondent Alex Crawford said: “The documentary was filmed before the global coronavirus pandemic but it is sobering to note that while we are understandably consumed by fears and worries about the spread of COVID-19, all the while the world’s plastic problem has not stopped. The world will eventually get a coronavirus vaccine – and let us hope that that is sooner rather than later - but so far there’s no antidote to the plastic which is choking the planet’s rivers and seas. It is another global challenge and one we increasingly cannot ignore.”

John Ryley, Head of Sky News added: “We’re proud to be able to bring The Plastic Nile to our audiences. Alex’s tenacious journalism reveals some truly shocking realities of the damage that plastic pollution causes.

“At Sky News we’re committed to reporting on the issues that matter. Through Sky Ocean Rescue we’ve helped to inform the world of the pressures our oceans are under. And now, with the Sky Zero campaign and dedicated journalism like ‘A New Climate’, we are highlighting the devastating effects of climate change on our planet.”

Sky has been campaigning for the environment for more than a decade, from Rainforest Rescue to Sky Ocean Rescue, and now with its commitment to go net zero carbon by 2030 cutting the emissions created by people using Sky, its suppliers across the world and by its business.

Sky Ocean Rescue will continue to champion ocean health with WWF, and rally people to #BeAnOceanHero by pledging to help save our oceans. And Sky’s £25million impact investment fund Sky Ocean Ventures will continue to support innovations stopping the flow of plastic into the sea.

The Plastic Nile will be distributed internationally by NBCUniversal Global Distribution on behalf of Sky Studios.

Watch The Plastic Nile exclusive premier at 9pm on June 1st on Sky Documentaries and streaming service NOW TV.

Download assets

About Sky 

With 24 million customers across seven countries, Sky is Europe’s leading media and entertainment company and is proud to be part of the Comcast group. Our 32,000 employees help connect our customers to the very best entertainment, sports, news, arts and to our own local, original content.

Following the success of Sky originals like Chernobyl, we plan to double our investment in original content by 2024. We’re also developing a new TV and movie studio, Sky Studios Elstree, which is expected to lead to the creation of over 2,000 new jobs and generate an additional £3 billion of production investment in UK creative sector in the first five years alone.

Our technology allows customers to watch what they want, when they want, how they want, and as we connect millions of families to content they love, we believe it is our responsibility to do it safely. That’s why we offer services like Sky Broadband Buddy and the Sky Kids app. And our online streaming service, NOW TV, brings viewers all the enjoyment of Sky with the flexibility of a contract-free service.

We also believe that a company of our scale has a responsibility that goes beyond our business, and into the community. We’re committed to being Europe’s first net zero carbon entertainment company by 2030 – two decades before we have to – and we’re an inclusive employer recognised by The Times and Stonewall for our commitment to diversity.

About NOW TV

NOW TV is a leading UK streaming service, giving you the best TV, box sets, movies, sports and kids entertainment whenever, and wherever, you want it. Pick from the range of content passes including Entertainment, Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, Kids and reality TV with hayu.

You can stream content to watch through the NOW TV app, available on over 60 devices including the NOW TV Smart Stick and Smart Box and even download your favourite shows and movies to watch on the go.

NOW TV is the home of the best new and original British comedies, Oscar, BAFTA, and Emmy award winning dramas, Sky originals and movies. NOW TV customers can enjoy over 30 new movies every month and Sky Atlantic shows, without a contract.

Sports fans can enjoy all the action across all 11 Sky Sports channels through day, week or month passes.

NOW TV also offers great value reliable broadband as a standalone contract-free service with NOW Broadband.

For more information, visit nowtv.com

For the latest special offers visit nowtv.com/offers

Follow us at facebook.com/NOWTV

Check out our latest videos and pictures at Instagram.com/NOWTV

Join the conversation on twitter @NOWTV