JOURNEY TO ONE OF THE SEVEN NATURAL WONDERS OF THE WORLD WITH "DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S GREAT BARRIER REEF"

SERIES PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24 AT 8 PM ET/PT ON SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL(TM)

NEW YORK - December 20, 2017 - Sir David Attenborough considers the Great Barrier Reef the most magical place on Earth, having first visited the extraordinary locale off the coast of Queensland, Australia in 1957. Returning now to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, one of the world's most renowned naturalists visits a place that has amazed scientists and wildlife experts for decades and which, today, brings up major concerns about climate change and the effects of human contact. Giving viewers a rare opportunity to explore the Reef via sky and sea, as well as unprecedented access to some of its most remote parts and all the incredible creatures that call it home, DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S GREAT BARRIER REEF premieres Wednesday, January 24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel.

Since his first visit 60 years ago, Attenborough has wanted to return to the underwater paradise of the Great Barrier Reef, which is shrouded in mystery and difficult to explore. In DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S GREAT BARRIER REEF: BUILDERS, Attenborough is equipped with new, state-of-the-art technology as he climbs aboard the Alucia, an exploration vessel measuring more than 180 feet that features a Triton submersible, research laboratories and a helicopter. Diving at night, he explores the underwater wonderland like never before and meets some of the tiny creatures that helped build the great living structure into what it is today.

Subsequent episodes of DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S GREAT BARRIER REEF are:

VISITORS Premieres Wednesday, January 31 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

Attenborough continues his exploration of the Great Barrier Reef aboard the Alucia. This time, he travels to the Osprey Reef inside the Triton submersible to take a closer look at the animals that travel to the Reef every year, some covering thousands of miles to do so. In this episode, he dives into shark-infested waters, witnesses the hatching of baby sea turtles on the beaches of Raine Island and visits the Ribbon Reefs to meet a dwarf minke whale that arrives each winter season.

SURVIVAL Premieres Wednesday, February 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

With the future of the Reef under threat, Attenborough learns about the adaptable nature of the great ecosystem, its inhabitants and visitors - including a shark that can survive out of water and communities of underwater creatures that have endured countless cyclones. Aside from the challenges that the Reef faces due to changes in climate and extreme weather, Attenborough discovers that the human impact on this amazing structure has had a dramatic effect on its health and future survival.

THE MAKING OF DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S GREAT BARRIER REEF Premieres Wednesday, February 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT

Take an inside look into the making of DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S GREAT BARRIER REEF. Featuring behind-the-scenes footage taken on location at the Great Barrier Reef, exclusive interviews with Attenborough as well as insights from the series' producers, this episode helps viewers understand the intricacies behind the series' filming. Watch as Attenborough dives into the depths of the Reef with the help of the Triton submersible to see the breathtaking wonders held deep below sea level, and see the amazing footage taken at shore's edge come to life.

DAVID ATTENBOUROUGH'S GREAT BARRIER REEF is produced by Anthony Geffen of Atlantic Productions and directed by Mike Davis, Anne Sommerfield and Edward McGown. Joy Galane and David Royle serve as executive producers for Smithsonian Channel.

Entertainment One (eOne) handles global distribution rights (excluding the UK, Australia and New Zealand) to the series.

Smithsonian Channel(TM), owned by Smithsonian Networks(TM), a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where curiosity lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME(R) with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create award-winning programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, history, science, nature, and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, America in Color, First Ladies Revealed, Polar Bear Town, The Lost Tapes, Amazing Monkeys, America's Secret Space Heroes, Mighty Ships, Mighty Planes and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include Titanic's Fatal Fire, The Obama Years: The Power of Words, Nightmare on Everest, Diana and the Paparazzi, Diana: The Day We Said Goodbye and Flying High with Phil Keoghan. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Earth(TM), through SN Digital LLC., a new subscription video streaming service delivering spectacular original nature and wildlife content. To learn more, go to www.smithsonianchannel.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Atlantic Productions leads a group of companies which make television programmes, theatrical and IMAX films, apps, visual effects and now, immersive virtual reality and online interactive experiences. Since the company was founded in 1992 Atlantic has built a reputation for world-class story-telling, enhanced by the latest techniques and technologies, including the building of pioneering cross-platform and digital experiences. Atlantic is a leader in 4K and 3D productions. Atlantic has won many of the most prestigious awards in television, including the coveted BAFTA award for best specialist factual twice, 11 Emmy awards, two RTS awards and the best 3D award at Jackson Hole and Wildscreen. Atlantic's foray into multi-platform saw them win the prestigious "Best Interactive Media" award at Jackson Hole for the NHM Alive! App. Their diverse output includes 11 projects with David Attenborough including BAFTA award winning David Attenborough's Great Barrier Reef (BBC & VR). Acclaimed series also include Inside the Commons (BBC) and Time Scanners (NatGeo) and Galapagos (BBC). Their immersive content studio, Alchemy VR, won the first ever BAFTA awarded to a virtual reality film for David Attenborough's First Life VR. Acclaimed experiences also include David Attenborough's Great Barrier Reef Dive VR, Munduruku: The Fight to Defend the Heart of the Amazon and Space Descent VR with Tim Peake. www.atlanticproductions.tv www.alchemyvr.com/