Nature

What's on TV: New Year’s Eve

Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny

BBC Two, 11.30pm


Jools Holland (Credit: BBC)

Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny is now closing its 30th year. For those who want to welcome in the new year with old favourites like Rod Stewart or the Sugababes, whilst celebrating those who are new on the scene, such as Escapism singer RAYE; Jools Holland has quite the night in store.

BBC Two announces new nature documentary with Chris Packham

Credit: BBC

Chris Packham goes on an emotional walk through the idyllic Hampshire countryside as he contemplates the challenges he has faced in the past.

Strolling along the River Itchen and Itchen Navigation, Packham highlights how important nature is for people’s wellbeing. 

During the walk, Packham remembers difficult memories of growing up with undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome and reminisces about the walks he had with his father and playing in the fields with his kestrel and poodle companions.

Jimmy Doherty generates buzz to save bees

Jimmy Doherty (Credit: Channel 4)

Can Jimmy Save the Bees? (w/t) sees Doherty explore the declining bee population in the UK and try to understand how the alarming trend can impact entire ecosystems that rely on natural pollination.

The former entomologist will attempt to revive the bee population to reduce the threat towards the viability of agriculture.

Based in Peterborough, Doherty will look at what can be done to solve the problem with local farmers, businesses, government officials and viewers.

Our Planet Q&A | Highlights

Following a screening of the Our Planet episode Frozen Worlds, members of the crew, including series producer, Keith Scholey, producer Sophie Lanfear, camera operator Jamie McPherson and assistant producer​ Olly Scholey, spoke to Lynn Barlow about how the episode was made.

The panel shared their experiences working on the nature series and how it was created.

Chris Packham: TV must be sustainable

Chris Packham (Credit: BBC)

Chris Packham brought his passion and knowledge to two RTS Southern events at Bournemouth University in early March, highlighting the need for greater environmental sustainability in programme production.

In the afternoon, the TV presenter and naturalist spoke to media students about sustainable TV production. In the evening, he talked candidly about his life and TV career – and how he copes with the effects of Asperger syndrome.

BBC releases trailer for Blue Planet II

The trailer, titled The Prequel, features David Attenborough's narration over spectacular scenes of the Earth's oceans and the underwater inhabitants.

The five minute clip teases what is in store for the long-awaited sequel to the 2001 nature series; from slow-motion shots of blue whales soaring out of the ocean, to a glimpse of a bale of turtles occupying an entire beach as they slowly make their way to the sea, to close-ups of the extraordinary creatures on the sea floor.