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Discovery has commissioned a new wildlife conservation documentary from BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit, it was announced today by both organizations.  THE RED LIST is the first ever non-BBC commission for the British Broadcasting Corporation, a historic moment for British broadcasting.

The Red List is a two-hour ground-breaking film, following the work of dedicated wildlife conservationists across the globe, as they work to compile the latest version of The Red List - the most comprehensive record of the state of the world’s wildlife that has ever been created. The Red List, run by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, is more than just a list, it’s a barometer of life. The film will give viewers a glimpse inside the worldwide effort to bring endangered species back from the brink of extinction. 

Rich Ross, Group President, Discovery Channel and Science Channel, states: “From its earliest beginnings, Discovery has been a leader in bringing stories about wildlife conservation to audiences across the globe. BBC’s Natural History Unit is the expert in creating content about the natural world. This collaboration couldn’t be more perfect.” 

Mark Linsey, Director, BBC Studios says: “This third party commission from Discovery heralds a new dawn for BBC Studios and is a really exciting moment in the history of the BBC.  On top of that, The Red List is being made by BBC Studios’ world-renowned Natural History Unit so will be unmissable television.  I couldn’t be more proud of Lisa Opie and Julian Hector and his team at the NHU.”

For BBC Studios, the producer/director of The Red List is Steve Greenwood who series produced Mountain: Life at the Extreme for BBC Two and Shark for BBC One.  He was editor of BBC Two strand Natural World from 2009-2012 and series produced BBC Expeditions, where scientists discovered new species in some of the remotest rainforests of the world   - Lost Land of the Jaguar, Lost Land of the Volcano and Expedition Borneo.

Emmy® winners John Hoffman and Jon Bardin serve as Executive Producers for Discovery Channel.

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Notes to Editors:

Discovery Channel 

Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 224 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information please visit www.discovery.com.

Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) satisfies curiosity and captivates superfans around the globe with a portfolio of premium nonfiction, lifestyle, sports and kids content brands including Discovery Channel, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. Available in more than 220 countries and territories, Discovery's programming reaches 3 billion cumulative viewers, who together consume 54 billion hours of Discovery content each year. Discovery’s offering extends beyond traditional TV to all screens, including TV Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio and Discovery Kids Play; over-the-top streaming services such as Eurosport Player; digital-first and social video from Group Nine Media; and virtual reality storytelling through Discovery VR. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.  

BBC Studios

BBC Studios is the BBC’s main TV production arm, producing bold, British, creative content across a range of genres and specialisms. From Blue Planet II, Strictly Come Dancing and Doctor Who to One Love Manchester, Good Omens, W1A, Horizon and Murdered by My Father, its programmes are renowned for their quality and loved by audiences in the UK and around the world. With bases all over the country, BBC Studios reflects and represents diverse voices and creative talent from across the UK. BBC Studios launched as a commercial business in April 2017, able to make programmes for other broadcasters as well as the BBC, supporting the BBC’s public service mission and generating financial returns for licence fee payer.

The Red List

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant, animal and fungi species. From its small beginning, The IUCN Red List has grown in size and complexity and now plays an increasingly prominent role in guiding conservation activities of governments, NGOs and scientific institutions. The introduction in 1994 of a scientifically rigorous approach to determine risks of extinction that is applicable to all species, has become a world standard. In order to produce The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, the IUCN Global Species Programme working with the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and with members of IUCN draws on and mobilizes a network of scientists and partner organizations working in almost every country in the world, who collectively hold what is likely the most complete scientific knowledge base on the biology and conservation status of species.