Blue Planet II#(ocean) bloom
{{Short description|2017 British nature documentary television series}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox television
| image = BBC Blue Planet II title card.jpg
| genre = Nature documentary
| based_on =
| writer =
| presenter = David Attenborough
| narrated =
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| composer = {{Plainlist|
- Hans Zimmer
- David Fleming
- Jacob Shea
}}
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| num_episodes = 7
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- James Honeyborne
- Mark Brownlow
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Miles Barton
- Orla Doherty
- Kathryn Jeffs
- Will Ridgeon
- John Ruthven
- Jonathan Smith
}}
| location =
| runtime = 60 minutes
| company = BBC Natural History Unit
| network = {{Plainlist|
}}
| first_aired = {{start date|2017|10|29|df=yes}}
| last_aired = {{end date|2017|12|10|df=yes}}
}}
Blue Planet II is a 2017 British nature documentary series on marine life produced as a co-production between the BBC Natural History Unit, BBC America, Tencent, WDR, France Télévisions and CCTV-9 in partnership with The Open University. It is a successor to The Blue Planet (2001) with naturalist Sir David Attenborough reprising his role as the narrator.{{cite news|last1=Jackson|first1=Jasper|title=Sir David Attenborough to return for BBC's Blue Planet II|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/feb/20/sir-david-attenborough-to-narrate-bbcs-blue-planet-ii|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=21 February 2017|date=20 February 2017|archive-date=17 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417053307/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/feb/20/sir-david-attenborough-to-narrate-bbcs-blue-planet-ii|url-status=live}}
Blue Planet II was announced in 2013 and was filmed over four years in 39 countries, in more than 125 international trips. The score was composed by Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea and David Fleming. The rock band Radiohead reworked their 2011 song "Bloom" with Zimmer for the series.
Blue Planet II debuted on 29 October 2017 and was simultaneously cast on BBC One, BBC One HD and BBC Earth, making it the first natural history series to premiere on the same day in the UK, Nordic regions, Europe and in Asia. In the US, it premiered on January 20, 2018, as part of a five-network simulcast on BBC America, AMC, IFC, Sundance, and WE tv.
Blue Planet II received acclaim. It had the highest viewing figures of any television programme in the UK in 2017, and was so widely watched in China that it reportedly caused internet problems. It is credited with increasing public and political interest in issues affecting marine life, in particular marine plastic pollution, which was dubbed "the Blue Planet effect".
Background and production
The series was announced by the BBC in 2013 with the working title Oceans, but the title was later changed to Blue Planet II as was revealed on 19 February 2017, making it a follow-up to the 2001 series The Blue Planet.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24207865|title=BBC commissions Blue Planet follow up|work=BBC News|access-date=23 September 2013|date=23 September 2013|archive-date=12 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812212701/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24207865|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/david-attenborough-blue-planet-ii|title=Sir David Attenborough to present Blue Planet II for BBC One|publisher=BBC Media Centre|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=23 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223022123/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/david-attenborough-blue-planet-ii|url-status=live}} Filming took place over a course of more than four years; involving 125 expeditions across 39 countries and produced more than 6,000 hours of underwater dive footage from over an estimated 4,000 dives.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/blue-planet-2-1.4350287|title=Blue Planet II explores underwater realms, spotlights ocean's plight|publisher=CBC News|access-date=15 October 2017|archive-date=10 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310151311/http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/blue-planet-2-1.4350287|url-status=live}}
Broadcast
= British television =
The premiere of the series took place at Bristol's Cinema de Lux on 11 October 2017, with special guest appearance by Attenborough along with the producers and wildlife experts. Bristol has been the global home of BBC's Natural History programme making for the past 60 years.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/blue_planet_11oct17 |title=Blue Planet II: Preview Screening |publisher=BBC Shows & Tours |access-date=4 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930021600/http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/blue_planet_11oct17 |archive-date=30 September 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |url=https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/david-attenborough-coming-bristol-blue-planet-ii-premiere/ |title=David Attenborough coming to Bristol for Blue Planet II premiere |publisher=Bristol 24/7 |access-date=27 September 2017 |date=27 September 2017 |archive-date=3 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403042054/https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/david-attenborough-coming-bristol-blue-planet-ii-premiere/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/sir-david-attenborough-hosting-free-535632 |title=Sir David Attenborough is hosting a screening of Blue Planet II in Bristol |publisher=Bristol Post |access-date=27 September 2017 |date=26 September 2017 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125180019/https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/sir-david-attenborough-hosting-free-535632 |url-status=live }} The series was first broadcast on 29 October 2017 (from 20:00 GMT to 21:00 GMT) on BBC One and BBC One HD.{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/videos/2017/9/29/16378594/blue-planet-hans-zimmer-radiohead|title=How Hans Zimmer and Radiohead transformed "Bloom" for Blue Planet II|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=29 September 2017|date=29 September 2017|archive-date=12 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512111245/https://www.vox.com/videos/2017/9/29/16378594/blue-planet-hans-zimmer-radiohead|url-status=live}} The first six episodes included a 10-minute making-of documentary called Into the Blue.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41692370 |title=Blue Planet II: 22 things to know about the new series |work=BBC News |access-date=29 September 2017 |archive-date=29 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029055419/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41692370 |url-status=live }} The previous week's episode was repeated in an earlier time slot the following Sunday. The series was critically acclaimed{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2017-12-29/radio-times-top-40-tv-shows-of-2017-10-to-1/|title=Radio Times top 40 TV shows of 2017|work=Radio Times|date=2017-12-29|access-date=21 January 2018|archive-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122072115/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2017-12-29/radio-times-top-40-tv-shows-of-2017-10-to-1/|url-status=live}} and gained the highest UK viewing figure for 2017, 14.1 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/nov/06/blue-planet-ii-years-most-watched-tv-show-david-attenborough|title=Blue Planet II is year's most watched British TV show|work=The Guardian|date=2017-11-06|access-date=21 January 2018|archive-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122001157/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/nov/06/blue-planet-ii-years-most-watched-tv-show-david-attenborough|url-status=live}}
= International =
BBC Worldwide pre-sold the series to several overseas broadcasters, which includes Canada (Blue Ant Media's licensed channel for BBC Earth), Australia (Channel Nine) and New Zealand (TVNZ), to Europe with Denmark (DR), Netherlands (NPO), Sweden (SVT), Spain (Telefonica's BBC Earth block), Discovery Channel for Latin America and co-production partnerships with BBC America, Germany's WDR, France Télévisions,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/2017/blue-planet-2-presales |title=BBC Worldwide makes waves with Blue Planet II sales |publisher=BBC Media Centre |access-date=9 October 2017 |archive-date=2 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102163105/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/2017/blue-planet-2-presales |url-status=live }} China's Tencent and CCTV-9.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/2017/blue-planet-2-tencent-china |title=BBC Worldwide signs Blue Planet II co-production deal with Tencent in China |publisher=BBC Media Centre |access-date=17 October 2017 |archive-date=26 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126032809/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/2017/blue-planet-2-tencent-china |url-status=live }} The series was eventually sold to more than 30 countries.
The series is set to broadcast internationally on BBC Earth channel, and also commercial television channels in various countries, besides. The series debuted in Nordic regions and other European countries on 29 October 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.canaldigital.fi/5/uutta-ohjelmistossa/blue-planet-ii/|title=Blue Planet II on BBC Earth Nordic|publisher=Canal Digital|access-date=23 October 2017|language=fi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024205040/https://www.canaldigital.fi/5/uutta-ohjelmistossa/blue-planet-ii/|archive-date=24 October 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://www.paginademedia.ro/2017/10/foto-planeta-albastra-2-va-fi-pe-bbc-earth-romania-in-acelasi-timp-cu-premiera-mondiala|title=FOTO. Planeta Albastra II va fi pe BBC Earth România, în același timp cu premiera mondială|date=27 October 2017|publisher=Pagina de media|access-date=27 October 2017|language=ro|archive-date=27 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127001012/https://www.paginademedia.ro/2017/10/foto-planeta-albastra-2-va-fi-pe-bbc-earth-romania-in-acelasi-timp-cu-premiera-mondiala/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy6blDrMPm4|title=Blue Planet II on BBC Earth|publisher=Cosmote TV Official YouTube channel|access-date=17 October 2017|language=el|archive-date=18 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118225630/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy6blDrMPm4|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://telekom.me/blue-planet-2.nspx|title=Blue Planet II|publisher=Crnogorski Telekom|access-date=26 October 2017|language=bs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027134725/https://telekom.me/blue-planet-2.nspx|archive-date=27 October 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://ecoteuve.eleconomista.es/programas/noticias/8706630/10/17/Movistar-estrena-Planeta-Azul-II-la-historia-de-los-oceanos-del-mundo.html|title=Movistar+ estrena 'Planeta Azul II': la historia de los oceános del mundo|publisher=Ecoteuve.es|access-date=27 October 2017|language=es|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401192546/https://ecoteuve.eleconomista.es/programas/noticias/8706630/10/17/Movistar-estrena-Planeta-Azul-II-la-historia-de-los-oceanos-del-mundo.html|url-status=live |last1=Es |first1=Eleconomista }} In Asia, the series began to premiere on each early Monday (from 04:05 SGT to 05:05 SGT) starting from 30 October 2017,{{cite web|url=http://www.bbcasia.com/tv-guide/?date=2017-10-30#early|title=TV Guide – 30-10-2017|publisher=BBC Asia|access-date=26 October 2017|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401181055/https://www.bbcasia.com/tv-guide/?date=2017-10-30#early|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.starhub.com/personal/promotions/bbc-earth.html|title=Blue Planet II on BBC Earth Asia|publisher=StarHub|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213144049/http://www.starhub.com/personal/promotions/bbc-earth.html|archive-date=13 December 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/2116280/david-attenborough-talks-about-making-blue-planet-ii-and-peril|title=David Attenborough talks about the making of Blue Planet II, and the peril of plastic in our oceans|publisher=South China Morning Post|access-date=21 October 2017|date=21 October 2017|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122122933/https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/2116280/david-attenborough-talks-about-making-blue-planet-ii-and-peril|url-status=live}} the episode was then repeated on following each Tuesday evening (from 20:00 SGT).{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEGkHuOFgFM|title=Blue Planet II on BBC Earth Asia|date=17 October 2017 |publisher=StarHub Official YouTube channel|access-date=17 October 2017|archive-date=18 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118225601/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEGkHuOFgFM|url-status=live}} In Poland, it premiered on 16 November 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.geekweek.pl/aktualnosci/31402/blekitna-planeta-ii-niebawem-w-bbc-earth |title=Błękitna Planeta II niebawem w BBC Earth Polska |publisher=Geekweek |access-date=21 October 2017 |language=pl |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023052934/http://www.geekweek.pl/aktualnosci/31402/blekitna-planeta-ii-niebawem-w-bbc-earth |url-status=live }} As for South Africa, it aired from 4 February 2018.{{cite web |url=http://www.channel24.co.za/TV/News/blue-planet-ii-splashing-onto-bbc-earth-in-february-20171227 |title=Blue Planet II splashing onto BBC Earth in February |publisher=Channel24 |access-date=27 December 2017 |date=27 December 2017 |archive-date=27 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227210529/http://www.channel24.co.za/TV/News/blue-planet-ii-splashing-onto-bbc-earth-in-february-20171227 |url-status=live }}
In China, the premiere took place at Shanghai's East China Normal University on 27 October 2017, with guest appearance by the producer Orla Doherty and Mike Gunton, the executive producer of Planet Earth II.{{cite web |url= http://m.qdaily.com/mobile/articles/46644.html?source=chouti |title= 《蓝色星球 2》要上线了，BBC 的口碑纪录片是怎么诞生的？ |publisher= Qdaily |access-date= 30 October 2017 |language= zh |archive-date= 7 November 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005506/http://m.qdaily.com/mobile/articles/46644.html?source=chouti |url-status= dead }} The series is streaming broadcast at Tencent's QQLive from 30 October 2017, with episodes updating every Monday at 18:00 CST.{{cite web|url= http://ent.qq.com/a/20171024/017540.htm#p=1|title= 纪录片《蓝色星球2》 10.30腾讯视频独家播出|publisher= 腾讯娱乐 (QQ Entertainment)|access-date= 24 October 2017|language= zh|archive-date= 5 November 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171105095330/http://ent.qq.com/a/20171024/017540.htm#p=1|url-status= live}}{{cite web|url=http://ent.163.com/17/1024/10/D1GOR8AB000380EN.html|title=BBC最美纪录片《蓝色星球》第二季回归|date=24 October 2017 |publisher=网易娱乐|access-date=24 October 2017|language=zh|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930171204/http://ent.163.com/17/1024/10/D1GOR8AB000380EN.html|url-status=live}} It would also be broadcast on the state owned China Central Television's documentary channel, CCTV-9, with episodes airing each Monday from 6 November 2017 at 21:00 CST.{{cite web |url= https://www.weibo.cn/1911502981/4170768973825964 |title= 蓝色星球2播放预告 |publisher= CCTV-9 Official Sina Weibo Page |language= zh |access-date= 5 November 2017 |archive-date= 18 November 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231118225542/https://weibo.cn/comment/4170768973825964?rl=100 |url-status= live }}
In the Netherlands, the series is airing on the Dutch channel NPO 1, with episodes airing each Thursday from 28 December 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvgids.nl/blue-planet-ii-in-december-op-npo-1/artikel/169961/|title=Blue Planet II in december op NPO 1|publisher=TVGids|access-date=31 October 2017|language=nl|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107010404/http://www.tvgids.nl/blue-planet-ii-in-december-op-npo-1/artikel/169961/|url-status=live}} In Belgium, it will air on the Flemish channel Canvas, with episodes airing each Saturday starting from 2 January 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2017/10/23/canvas-zendt--blue-planet-ii--the-prequel--uit-vanaf-2-januari-/|title=Canvas zendt "Blue planet II" uit vanaf 2 januari, bekijk hier de trailer|publisher=VRT News|access-date=23 October 2017|language=nl|date=23 October 2017|archive-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024153903/https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2017/10/23/canvas-zendt--blue-planet-ii--the-prequel--uit-vanaf-2-januari-/|url-status=live}}
The series aired in Canada and the United States on 20 January 2018.{{cite web |url=http://www.bbcwpressroom.com/sales-and-co-productions/press/bbc-earth-premiere-worldwide-phenomenon-planet-earth-blue-planet-ii-early-2018 |title=BBC Earth to Premiere the Worldwide Phenomenon Planet Earth: Blue Planet II in Early 2018 |publisher=BBC Worldwide North America Press Room |access-date=5 December 2017 |archive-date=9 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409033155/http://www.bbcwpressroom.com/sales-and-co-productions/press/bbc-earth-premiere-worldwide-phenomenon-planet-earth-blue-planet-ii-early-2018/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.bbcwpressroom.com/bbca/press/oceans-make-70-percent-earth-100-percent-amc-networks-will-carry-premiere-worldwide-phenonmenon-planet-earth-blue-planet-ii-next-month/ |title=Oceans Make Up 70 Percent of the Earth, 100 Percent of AMC Networks will Carry the Premiere of the Worldwide Phenonmenon Planet Earth: Blue Planet II Next Month |publisher=BBC Worldwide North America Press Room |access-date=5 December 2017 |archive-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206140209/http://www.bbcwpressroom.com/bbca/press/oceans-make-70-percent-earth-100-percent-amc-networks-will-carry-premiere-worldwide-phenonmenon-planet-earth-blue-planet-ii-next-month/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/12/planet-earth-blue-planet-ii-premiere-1202220008/ |title='Planet Earth: Blue Planet II': BBC America & 4 Sibling Nets To Premiere Documentary Series Next Month |publisher=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=5 December 2017 |date=5 December 2017 |archive-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206074601/http://deadline.com/2017/12/planet-earth-blue-planet-ii-premiere-1202220008/ |url-status=live }} In Canada, it will broadcast with a three-network simulcast across BBC Earth, Cottage Life and T+E channel. In the United States, the series premiered the first episode – with a five-network simulcast across BBC America, AMC, IFC, WE tv and Sundance TV, while the remaining episodes continued to be aired every Saturday on BBC America. It is also available on BBCAmerica.com and the BBCA app.{{Cite web | url=http://www.bbcamerica.com/shows/planet-earth-blue-planet-ii/full-episodes/season-1/episode-01-one-ocean | title={{pipe}} BBC America | access-date=11 February 2018 | archive-date=11 February 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211131407/http://www.bbcamerica.com/shows/planet-earth-blue-planet-ii/full-episodes/season-1/episode-01-one-ocean | url-status=live }}
As for Australia, the series will premiere on Nine Network and 9Now on 17 February 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.nineentertainmentco.com.au/2018/02/07/14/36/blue-planet-ii-premieres |title=David Attenborough Returns In The UK's Highest Rating Series Of 2017 |publisher=Nine Entertainment |access-date=7 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212202040/https://www.nineentertainmentco.com.au/2018/02/07/14/36/blue-planet-ii-premieres |archive-date=12 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/02/airdate-blue-planet-ii.html |title=Airdate: Blue Planet II |publisher=TV Tonight Australia |access-date=7 February 2018 |date=7 February 2018 |archive-date=2 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002204510/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/02/airdate-blue-planet-ii.html |url-status=live }} In New Zealand, it premiered on 12 November 2017 on TVNZ 1.{{cite web |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/blue-planet-2 |title=Blue Planet II |publisher=TVNZ |access-date=2 November 2017 |archive-date=30 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130164128/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/blue-planet-2 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.screenscribe.net/channels/blue-planet-earth-ii-due-soon |title=Blue Planet II Due Soon |date=November 2017 |publisher=ScreenScribe |access-date=1 November 2017 |archive-date=5 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405230535/http://www.screenscribe.net/channels/blue-planet-earth-ii-due-soon/ |url-status=live }}
For Singapore, the series premiered on Mediacorp Channel 5 on Sundays starting 27 May 2018.{{cite web |url=https://tv.toggle.sg/en/channel5/shows/blue-planet-ii/info |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618131723/https://tv.toggle.sg/en/channel5/shows/blue-planet-ii/info |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 June 2018 |title=Blue Planet II Show Info – Toggle |publisher=Toggle|access-date=18 June 2018}}
In Greece, all the seven original episodes were broadcast from 12 April 2020 until 18 April 2020 at 10.30pm on the free-to-air television network Skai TV.https://www.skai.gr/news/entertainment/planet-earth-ii-blue-planet-ston-skai-premiera-kyriaki-12-apriliou {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412074743/https://www.skai.gr/news/entertainment/planet-earth-ii-blue-planet-ston-skai-premiera-kyriaki-12-apriliou |date=12 April 2020 }} (in Greek). Retrieved on 13 April 2020.
Episodes
{{Episode table |background=#345794 |overall=|title= |aux1= |airdate= |viewers= |viewersR={{cite web |url=http://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/weekly-top-30/ |title=Weekly Top 30 Programmes |publisher=BARB |access-date=2017-11-07 |archive-date=16 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316232551/http://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/weekly-top-30/ |url-status=live }} (data available for Blue Planet II broadcast weeks by searching archive)|country=UK |aux1T= Produced by |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = The Prequel
|Aux1 = N/A
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|9|27|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05fzldm|title=Blue Planet II, The Prequel|date=27 September 2017|publisher=BBC One|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=2 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102184524/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05fzldm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_38JDGnr0vA|title=Blue Planet II – The Prequel|date=27 September 2017 |publisher=BBC Earth Youtube Channel|access-date=16 October 2017|archive-date=16 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016141915/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_38JDGnr0vA|url-status=live}}
|Viewers = N/A
|ShortSummary = A 5-minute clip introduction which focuses in particular on the upcoming stories from the ocean depths.
|LineColor = #345794
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = One Ocean
|Aux1 = Jonathan Smith
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|10|29|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/44/blue-planet-2|title=Blue Planet II – Episode 1: One Ocean|publisher=BBC Media Centre|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=4 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604232949/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/44/blue-planet-2|url-status=live}}
|Viewers = 14.01
|ShortSummary = Animals featured include bottlenose dolphins that surf and rub themselves in corals in the Red Sea, smart tuskfish that use coral to break open clam shells, large packs of giant trevallies hunting tern chicks in atolls in the Indian Ocean, false killer whales joining a pack of bottlenose dolphins in New Zealand, a female kobudai changing its sex to male, orca and humpback whales feasting in large schools of herring in Norway and walruses trying to rest on the melting ice in the Arctic to escape polar bears.
|LineColor = #345794
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = The Deep
|Aux1 = Orla Doherty
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|11|05|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/45/blue-planet-2|title=Blue Planet II – Episode 2: The Deep|publisher=BBC Media Centre|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=5 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605220206/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/45/blue-planet-2|url-status=live}}
|Viewers = 13.97
|ShortSummary = The depths of the ocean are among the most difficult conditions in the world. The depths of Antarctica host diverse endemic creatures. In other oceans, giant tunicate – pyrosome, swordfish, cock-eyed squid and barreleyes are specially adapted to dark conditions, and large Humboldt squids hunt lanternfish then cannibalize one another. The deep sea anglerfish and dragonfish attracts prey, and fangtooths eat fish and squid. In the deep, a sperm whale carcass attracts many scavengers, such as bluntnose sixgill sharks, spider crabs, rock crabs, and osedax; as well as the scavenger's predators, including silver scabbardfish. Also features shrimps living in a Venus' flower basket sponge, swimming pools of brine in the Gulf of Mexico, and the life found in the Mariana Trench, including the snailfish.
|LineColor = #345794
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = Coral Reefs
|Aux1 = Jonathan Smith
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|11|12|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/46/blue-planet-2|title=Blue Planet II – Episode 3: Coral Reefs|publisher=BBC Media Centre|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=14 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214123942/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/46/blue-planet-2|url-status=live}}
|Viewers = 13.45
|ShortSummary = Coral reefs are a large habitat created by tiny creatures called coral polyps. Features broadclub cuttlefish searching prey, coral trout cooperatively hunting with octopus, Green sea turtles in Borneo cleaned by surgeonfish and blennies, bottlenose dolphins playing, a bobbit worm hunting in the sands of the reef, a family of saddleback clownfish transporting a shell on which to lay their eggs, and marbled groupers breeding in French Polynesia while grey reef sharks attack.
|LineColor = #345794
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = Big Blue
|Aux1 = John Ruthven
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|11|19|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/47/blue-planet-2|title=Blue Planet II – Episode 4: Big Blue|publisher=BBC Media Centre|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=17 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117044115/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/47/blue-planet-2|url-status=live}}
|Viewers = 13.11
|ShortSummary = A large school of spinner dolphins chase lanternfish with yellowfin tuna, sailfish and the mobula ray, sperm whales with their calves hunting squid, young sea turtles find refuge at flotsam, blue sharks scavenge a whale carcass with the world's largest predatory fish, the great white shark. A Portuguese man o' war floats in the current waiting for small fish, whale sharks breed in the Galápagos Islands along with hammerhead and silky sharks, and wandering albatrosses raising their chicks. Highlights the effects of plastic on marine life, with a short-finned pilot whale family mourning a calf that died after ingesting milk contaminated with plastic particles.
|LineColor = #345794
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = Green Seas
|Aux1 = Kathryn Jeffs
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|11|26|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/48/blue-planet-ii|title=Blue Planet II – Episode 5: Green Seas|publisher=BBC Media Centre|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=14 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214165117/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/48/blue-planet-ii|url-status=live}}
|Viewers = 12.62
|ShortSummary = Within kelp forests, starfish release their eggs, which are consumed by sea cucumbers and sea pens. Common octopus escape from pyjama sharks by hiding inside shells; Garibaldi hide from torpedo rays and try to protect their patches of seaweed from grazers and from a plague of sea urchins, whose numbers are kept in check by sea otters. In Australia, green sea turtles graze on seagrass beds and are chased by tiger sharks. Other inhabitants of the seagrass beds are spider crabs coming to molt with protection from a short-tail stingray, giant cuttlefish mating, and weedy seadragon fathers carrying eggs. In the mangrove roots of North Australia, a zebra mantis shrimp hunts small fish for his mate. A large pack of common dolphins, California sea lions and humpback whales feasting in school of anchovies, themselves feeding on phytoplankton, in Monterey Bay.
|LineColor = #345794
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = Coasts
|Aux1 = Miles Barton
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|12|03|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/49/blue-planet-ii|title=Blue Planet II – Episode 6: Coasts|publisher=BBC Media Centre|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=14 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214164734/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/49/blue-planet-ii|url-status=live}}
|Viewers = 11.45
|ShortSummary = Animals featured include thousands of olive ridley sea turtles that come up to land to lay their eggs; Galápagos sea lion catching yellowfin tuna in the shallow bay of the coast; rock pool creatures including predators like starfish, sea anemones and clingfishes that prey on limpets and bivalves; a chain moray eel and an octopus hunt Sally Lightfoot crabs in Brazil, puffins and common murres avoiding arctic skuas, Pacific leaping blennies making their home on land; a colony of king penguins crossing a colony of fiercely territorial southern elephant seals; and large groups of spinner sharks and blacktip sharks off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida.
|LineColor = #345794
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|Title = Our Blue Planet
|Aux1 = Orla Doherty, Will Ridgeon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|12|10|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/50/blue-planet-ii|title=Blue Planet II – Episode 7: Our Blue Planet|publisher=BBC Media Centre|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=14 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214120803/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/50/blue-planet-ii|url-status=live}}
|Viewers = 11.91
|ShortSummary = Examining the role of human anthropogenic activity on the oceans. Microplastics and pollution are an increasing problem for the world's seas, threatening the lives of marine life and ultimately affecting the ecosystem. Can humans reverse their activity to protect the seas and the wildlife that inhabit it?{{Cite web |title=Blue Planet 2: How plastic is slowly killing our sea creatures, fish and birds |quote=Episode 7 looks at how tiny plastic particles (micro-plastics) may play a role in the uptake of industrial pollution in marine life. |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/42030979/blue-planet-2-how-plastic-is-slowly-killing-our-sea-creatures-fish-and-birds |work=BBC News |date=19 November 2017 |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=12 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212153834/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/42030979/blue-planet-2-how-plastic-is-slowly-killing-our-sea-creatures-fish-and-birds |url-status=live }}
|LineColor = #345794
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = Oceans of Wonder
|Aux1 = N/A
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|01|01|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09l2fgr|title=Blue Planet II, Oceans of Wonder|publisher=BBC One|access-date=13 December 2017|archive-date=27 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227125917/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09l2fgr|url-status=live}}
|Viewers = N/A
|ShortSummary = A 90-minute compilation episode which highlights the wonders of our world's oceans as well as filming some extraordinary animal behaviours which were never seen before.
|LineColor = #345794
}}
}}
Music
{{Infobox album
| name = Blue Planet II
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = Hans Zimmer, David Fleming & Jacob Shea
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 29 October 2017 (Digital)
1 December 2017 (Audio CD)
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Soundtrack, Classical music
| length = 1:11:29
| label = Silva Screen Records
| producer = BBC Worldwide
BBC Earth
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
Hans Zimmer returned to score Blue Planet II.{{cite web |title=Academy Award Winner Hans Zimmer & Bleeding Fingers Music To Create The Score For Blue Planet II |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/2017/hanszimmerbp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508065723/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/2017/hanszimmerbp |archive-date=8 May 2017 |access-date=27 March 2017 |publisher=BBC Media Centre}} The score and songs featured in the series were composed by Zimmer, Jacob Shea and David Fleming for Bleeding Fingers Music. It was recorded at Synchron Stage Vienna.{{Cite web |title=Blue Planet II - SynchronStage Vienna |url=https://www.synchronstage.com/en/projects/blue_planet_2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208003435/https://www.synchronstage.com/en/projects/blue_planet_2 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=www.synchronstage.com}}
Zimmer collaborated with the English rock band Radiohead to record a new version of their song "Bloom" from their 2011 album The King of Limbs.{{Cite news |date=2017-09-14 |title=The ultimate chill out song? Radiohead record new music for David Attenborough's Blue Planet 2 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/09/14/radiohead-record-new-song-sir-david-attenboroughs-blue-planet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412222743/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/09/14/radiohead-record-new-song-sir-david-attenboroughs-blue-planet/ |archive-date=12 April 2018 |access-date=2017-09-14 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |agency=Press Association}} The new track, "(ocean) bloom", was recorded with the BBC Concert Orchestra, which attempted to emulate a "tidal effect".{{Cite web |last=Haubursin |first=Christophe |date=2017-09-29 |title=How Hans Zimmer and Radiohead transformed "Bloom" for Blue Planet II |url=https://www.vox.com/videos/2017/9/29/16378594/blue-planet-hans-zimmer-radiohead |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512111245/https://www.vox.com/videos/2017/9/29/16378594/blue-planet-hans-zimmer-radiohead |archive-date=12 May 2020 |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=Vox |language=en}} In a press release, the Radiohead singer, Thom Yorke, said "Bloom" had been inspired by the original Blue Planet and so he was happy to "come full circle with the song". It was used as the soundtrack for a Blue Planet II prequel video released by the BBC to promote the series.{{Cite web |date=2017-09-27 |title=Listen to Radiohead and Hans Zimmer's New Song "ocean (bloom)" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-radiohead-and-hans-zimmers-new-song-ocean-bloom/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309195928/https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-radiohead-and-hans-zimmers-new-song-ocean-bloom/ |archive-date=9 March 2022 |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}
A digital soundtrack was released on 29 October 2017, while a single physical disc was released on 1 December 2017 in the UK.{{cite web |title=Blue Planet II Soundtrack Announced |url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2017/10/27/blue-planet-ii-soundtrack-announced/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122084216/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2017/10/27/blue-planet-ii-soundtrack-announced/ |archive-date=22 January 2021 |access-date=27 October 2017 |publisher=Film Music Reporter}}{{cite web |title=Blue Planet II Soundtrack Release For Series Premiere October 29th |url=http://www.silvascreen.com/blue-planet-ii-soundtrack-release-for-series-premiere-october-29th |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802093042/https://www.silvascreen.com/blue-planet-ii-soundtrack-release-for-series-premiere-october-29th/ |archive-date=2 August 2021 |access-date=29 October 2017 |publisher=Silva Screen Records}}{{cite web |title=Blue Planet II Original Television Soundtrack |url=http://www.hans-zimmer.com/index.php?rub=disco&id=1602 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027061943/http://hans-zimmer.com/index.php?rub=disco&id=1602 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |access-date=28 October 2017 |publisher=Hans Zimmer}}{{cite web |date=December 2017 |title=Blue Planet II Original Soundtrack (Audio Disc) |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Planet-II-Hans-Zimmer/dp/B076M46LLS |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029140659/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Planet-II-Hans-Zimmer/dp/B076M46LLS |archive-date=29 October 2017 |access-date=28 October 2017 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk}} The soundtrack was released as special edition LP for Record Store Day on 21 April 2018.{{Cite web |title=Blue Planet 2 -RSD- |work=Record Store Day |url=http://recordstoreday.nl/album/blue-planet-2-rsd/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310010107/http://recordstoreday.nl/album/blue-planet-2-rsd/ |archive-date=10 March 2018 |access-date=9 March 2018}}
Reception
=Critical reception=
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|97|9.4|32|Blue Planet II's hypnotic beauty is complemented by intense ethical musing, contrasting the micro and the macro in a humbling exploration of humanity's relationship with the ground it stands on.|ref=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/blue_planet_ii/s01|access-date=9 March 2022}} In a positive review, Ed Yong of The Atlantic called Blue Planet II "the greatest nature series that the BBC has ever produced".{{Cite web|last=Yong|first=Ed|date=2018-01-16|title='Blue Planet II' Is the Greatest Nature Series Of All Time|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/01/blue-planet-ii-is-the-greatest-nature-series-of-all-time/550583/|access-date=2021-04-09|website=The Atlantic|language=en|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501165133/https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/01/blue-planet-ii-is-the-greatest-nature-series-of-all-time/550583/|url-status=live}}
The Guardian columnist George Monbiot criticised the series for mostly omitting the impact of the fishing industry on the oceans: "It's as if you were to make a film about climate breakdown without revealing the role of fossil fuel companies". Monbiot stated that the film's only mention of the fishing industry was a story "about how kind Norwegian herring boats are to orcas".{{Cite web|date=2021-04-07|title=Seaspiracy shows why we must treat fish not as seafood, but as wildlife {{!}} George Monbiot|url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/07/seaspiracy-earth-oceans-destruction-industrial-fishing|access-date=2021-04-09|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=9 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409171534/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/07/seaspiracy-earth-oceans-destruction-industrial-fishing|url-status=live}}
=Impact=
The programme has been credited with raising awareness of plastic pollution both domestically and internationally, an influence dubbed the 'Blue Planet effect'.{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-42806164/ntas-david-attenborough-on-blue-planet-ii-s-impact | title=Attenborough on Blue Planet II's Impact | work=BBC News | access-date=24 June 2018 | archive-date=20 September 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920185114/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-42806164/ntas-david-attenborough-on-blue-planet-ii-s-impact | url-status=live }}{{Cite journal |last1=Males |first1=Jennifer |last2=Van Aelst |first2=Peter |date=2021-01-02 |title=Did the Blue Planet set the Agenda for Plastic Pollution? An Explorative Study on the Influence of a Documentary on the Public, Media and Political Agendas |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2020.1780458 |journal=Environmental Communication |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=40–54 |doi=10.1080/17524032.2020.1780458 |bibcode=2021Ecomm..15...40M |hdl=10067/1703940151162165141 |s2cid=221492454 |issn=1752-4032 |hdl-access=free |access-date=28 April 2022 |archive-date=31 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831232304/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17524032.2020.1780458 |url-status=live }}
After the first episode aired in the UK, there was a surge in search engine enquiries about conservation charities, with the Marine Conservation Society, WWF and Plastic Oceans Foundation all receiving a significant spike in traffic.{{Cite web |title=The Attenborough effect: Searches for plastic recycling rocket after Blue Planet II |url=https://resource.co/article/attenborough-effect-searches-plastic-recycling-rocket-after-blue-planet-ii-12334 |access-date=24 June 2018 |archive-date=24 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624175654/https://resource.co/article/attenborough-effect-searches-plastic-recycling-rocket-after-blue-planet-ii-12334 |url-status=live }} Following the programme's airing in the UK, the BBC announced its intention to completely ban single-use plastics within its organisation by 2020.{{Cite web|url = https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/3026642/the-blue-planet-effect-bbc-to-ban-single-use-plastics-from-2020|title = The Blue Planet Effect: BBC to ban single use plastics from 2020|date = 14 February 2018|access-date = 24 June 2018|archive-date = 24 June 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180624222702/https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/3026642/the-blue-planet-effect-bbc-to-ban-single-use-plastics-from-2020|url-status = live}} In April 2018, in response to growing public support directly linked to Blue Planet II, the British government announced it was considering a national ban on single-use plastic products.{{Cite news|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/04/global-24-hour-boycott-plastic-packaging-fight-ocean-pollution/|title = Global 24-hour boycott on plastic packaging to fight ocean pollution begins in wake of 'Blue Planet effect'|newspaper = The Telegraph|date = 5 June 2018|last1 = Crisp|first1 = James|access-date = 24 June 2018|archive-date = 11 September 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180911025450/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/04/global-24-hour-boycott-plastic-packaging-fight-ocean-pollution/|url-status = live}} It was also reported that Queen Elizabeth II's decision to ban plastic bottles and straws across the Royal estates was in part a response to the documentary.{{Cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/11/queen-declares-war-plastic-david-attenborough-documentary/| title=The Queen declares war on plastic after David Attenborough documentary| newspaper=The Telegraph| date=11 February 2018| last1=Knapton| first1=Sarah| access-date=24 June 2018| archive-date=30 September 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930184453/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/11/queen-declares-war-plastic-david-attenborough-documentary/| url-status=live}} A 2020 study suggested that the programme triggered long-lasting increased political, media and public interest in plastic pollution in the UK, where previous efforts to do so had not been successful. Another study found that watching the single documentary did not influence participants to change their individual plastic consumption behaviour, even if they were made more aware of the issue or if it had a wider societal impact.{{Cite journal |last1=Dunn |first1=Matilda Eve |last2=Mills |first2=Morena |last3=Veríssimo |first3=Diogo |date=October 2020 |title=Evaluating the impact of the documentary series Blue Planet II on viewers' plastic consumption behaviors |journal=Conservation Science and Practice |language=en |volume=2 |issue=10 |doi=10.1111/csp2.280 |s2cid=225196225 |issn=2578-4854|doi-access=free |bibcode=2020ConSP...2E.280D }}{{Cite web |title='Blue Planet II' may not have caused a change in plastic preference {{!}} Imperial News {{!}} Imperial College London |url=https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/205253/blue-planet-ii-have-caused-change/ |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=Imperial News |date=28 September 2020 |language=en |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118080145/https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/205253/blue-planet-ii-have-caused-change/ |url-status=live }}
British universities such as the University of Southampton noticed a sudden increase in applications for marine biology courses following the programme's airing, which was again attributed to the 'Blue Planet effect'.{{Cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jan/12/blue-planet-effect-why-marine-biology-courses-booming|title = The Blue Planet effect: Why marine biology courses are booming|newspaper = The Guardian|date = 12 January 2018|last1 = Pozniak|first1 = Helena|access-date = 24 June 2018|archive-date = 24 June 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180624175333/https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jan/12/blue-planet-effect-why-marine-biology-courses-booming|url-status = live}}
It was reported that the number of people in China simultaneously streaming Blue Planet II (approximately 80 million) had a noticeable impact upon internet speeds within the country.{{Cite web|url = https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/blue-planet-ii-is-so-popular-in-china-it-caused-the-internet-to-temporarily-slow-down-a3689806.html|title = Blue Planet II is 'so popular in China it caused internet problems'|date = 13 November 2017|access-date = 24 June 2018|archive-date = 24 June 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180624180803/https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/blue-planet-ii-is-so-popular-in-china-it-caused-the-internet-to-temporarily-slow-down-a3689806.html|url-status = live}} The popularity of the documentary in China was cited as partly the reason British prime minister Theresa May gave Chinese president Xi Jinping a Blue Planet II box set signed by David Attenborough. It was also symbolic of a joint plan to tackle plastic pollution and the illegal wildlife trade, announced by British officials during Xi's 2018 visit.{{Cite web| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-china-xi-jinping-blue-planet-2-boxset-david-attenborough-beijing-environment-pollution-a8187351.html| title=Theresa May to give China's President Xi a Blue Planet 2 box set with message from Sir David Attenborough| website=Independent.co.uk| date=31 January 2018| access-date=24 June 2018| archive-date=24 June 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624180812/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-china-xi-jinping-blue-planet-2-boxset-david-attenborough-beijing-environment-pollution-a8187351.html| url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Connett|first1=David|last2=Elgot|first2=Jessica|title=Blue Planet gift from Theresa May to remind Beijing of plastic waste|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/31/blue-planet-gift-from-theresa-may-to-remind-beijing-of-plastic-waste|access-date=2 February 2018|work=The Guardian|date=31 January 2018|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118004659/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/31/blue-planet-gift-from-theresa-may-to-remind-beijing-of-plastic-waste|url-status=live}}
= Awards and nominations =
Merchandise
= DVD and Blu-ray =
The series was released as a three-disc DVD set{{cite web|url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Planet-II-DVD/dp/B0758QDMC5|title= Blue Planet II (DVD)|publisher= Amazon.co.uk|date= 27 November 2017|access-date= 26 October 2017|archive-date= 4 October 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085000/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Planet-II-DVD/dp/B0758QDMC5|url-status= live}} as well as a standard Blu-ray set{{cite web|url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Planet-II-Blu-ray/dp/B0758M9XJ8|title= Blue Planet II (Blu-Ray)|publisher= Amazon.co.uk|date= 27 November 2017|access-date= 26 October 2017|archive-date= 4 October 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085433/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Planet-II-Blu-ray/dp/B0758M9XJ8|url-status= live}} on 27 November 2017, and as a six-disc 4K UHD Blu-ray + Blu-ray set{{cite web|url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Planet-II-UHD-Blu-ray/dp/B0758PZ4R9|title= Blue Planet II (4K UHD Blu-Ray + Blu-Ray)|publisher= Amazon.co.uk|date= 15 January 2018|access-date= 4 November 2017|archive-date= 19 April 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190419200009/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Planet-II-UHD-Blu-ray/dp/B0758PZ4R9|url-status= live}} on 15 January 2018. It is distributed by BBC Worldwide in the UK.
In the US and Canada, the DVD,{{cite web|url= https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Planet-II-David-Attenborough/dp/B077XY5SCB|title= Blue Planet II (DVD)|website= Amazon|access-date= 8 December 2017|archive-date= 13 September 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180913213507/https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Planet-II-David-Attenborough/dp/B077XY5SCB|url-status= live}}{{cite web |url=https://shop.bbc.com/blue-planet-ii-21199.html |title=Blue Planet II (DVD) |publisher=BBC Shop US |access-date=8 December 2017 |archive-date=8 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208122605/https://shop.bbc.com/blue-planet-ii-21199.html |url-status=dead }} Blu-ray{{cite web|url= https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Planet-II-BD-Blu-ray/dp/B078D4S49B|title= Blue Planet II (Blu-Ray)|website= Amazon|access-date= 8 December 2017|archive-date= 28 January 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210128083008/https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Planet-II-BD-Blu-ray/dp/B078D4S49B|url-status= live}}{{cite web |url=https://shop.bbc.com/blue-planet-ii-blu-ray-21200.html |title=Blue Planet II (Blu-Ray) |publisher=BBC Shop US |access-date=8 December 2017 |archive-date=8 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208122616/https://shop.bbc.com/blue-planet-ii-blu-ray-21200.html |url-status=live }} and 4K UHD Blu-ray{{cite web|url= https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Planet-II-Ultra-Blu-ray/dp/B077XRG26F|title= Blue Planet II (4K UHD Blu-Ray)|website= Amazon|access-date= 8 December 2017|archive-date= 18 November 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231118225533/https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Planet-II-Ultra-Blu-ray/dp/B077XRG26F|url-status= live}}{{cite web |url=https://shop.bbc.com/blue-planet-ii-4k-ultra-hd-21201.html |title=Blue Planet II (4K UHD Blu-Ray) |publisher=BBC Shop US |access-date=8 December 2017 |archive-date=8 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208122618/https://shop.bbc.com/blue-planet-ii-4k-ultra-hd-21201.html |url-status=live }} sets were released on 6 March 2018 and distributed by BBC Worldwide Americas.
= Book =
An accompanying hardback book was written by James Honeyborne and Mark Brownlow, with foreword by David Attenborough. It was published by BBC Books ({{ISBN|978-1849909679}}). The book was released on 19 October 2017 in the UK{{cite book|title=Blue Planet II (Hardback) |id= {{ASIN|1849909679|country=uk}} }}{{cite web|url=https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/1107803/blue-planet-ii/|title=Blue Planet II (Hardback)|publisher=Penguin Books|access-date=17 April 2017|archive-date=17 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517123930/https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/1107803/blue-planet-ii/|url-status=live}} and on 1 January 2018 in the US.{{cite book|title=Blue Planet II: A New World of Hidden Depths (Hardback) |isbn = 978-1849909679|last1 = Honeyborne|first1 = James|last2 = Brownlow|first2 = Mark|date = 12 October 2017| publisher=Ebury }}
= Open University poster =
A free poster was made available through the Open University's OpenLearn website.{{cite web |url=http://www.open.edu/openlearn/nature-environment/natural-history/order-your-free-oceans-poster |title=Blue Planet II – Order your free 'Oceans' poster |publisher=Open University |access-date=20 October 2017 |archive-date=21 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121222053/http://www.open.edu/openlearn/nature-environment/natural-history/order-your-free-oceans-poster |url-status=dead }}{{clear}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{BBC programme}}
- [https://www.bbcearth.com/shows/blue-planet-ii Blue Planet II] at BBC Earth
- [http://www.bbcasia.com/shows/blueplanet2 Blue Planet II] at BBC Earth Asia
- [https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/blue-planet-ii Blue Planet II] at BBC Media Centre
- [http://www.open.edu/openlearn/tv-radio-events/tv/blue-planet-ii Blue Planet II] OpenLearn at The Open University
- {{IMDb title|id=6769208|title=Blue Planet II}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20190919042607/http://www.nhk.or.jp/darwin/blueplanet/ Blue Planet II] at NHK {{in lang|ja}}
{{BBC Natural History Unit}}
{{David Attenborough}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blue Planet II}}
Category:2010s British documentary television series
Category:2017 British television series debuts
Category:2017 British television series endings
Category:BBC high definition shows
Category:BBC television documentaries
Category:BBC One original programming
Category:Documentary films about environmental issues
Category:Documentary films about fish
Category:Documentary films about marine biology
Category:British English-language television shows
Category:Television series by BBC Studios