TCA17: AMC, SundanceTV, BBC America To Simulcast ‘Planet Earth II’

BBC America, SundanceTV and AMC will simulcast the February premiere of Planet Earth II, BBC America announced Friday during its Television Critics Association press tour presentation.

The six-part series, three years in the making, will debut its premiere episode on all three channels on Feb. 18, with the remaining five episodes to air on BBC America on consecutive Saturday nights, said network officials.

BBC America president Sarah Barnett and AMC and SundanceTV president Charlie Collier said in a joint statement: "Planet Earth II is extraordinary, epic television that connects viewers to our beautiful, shared world. Filmmaking at the highest level, Planet Earth II entertains while celebrating the planet, its creatures and the universal stories that unite and transcend. We are proud to come together to offer a multi-network simulcast of this awe-inspiring television event.” 

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.