New York, NY / Washington D.C. – BBC Worldwide America’s Sales & Distribution division announced a co-production deal today with the National Geographic Channels’ U.S. wildlife network Nat Geo WILD, for a unique six-part natural history event, 24/7 Wild.

This May, BBC One will broadcast one of its biggest wildlife television events to date, Planet Earth Live. The ambitious project — the result of more than 10 years of innovation in techniques and formats — will report on remarkable animal stories from around the world, LIVE, as critical events in the animal kingdom unfold.

As part of the co-production deal, Nat Geo WILD has secured the exclusive rights to broadcast the six-part series in the United States. Domestically, the programming event will be called 24/7 Wild and the U.S. broadcasts will air live-to-tape shortly after the international premieres, beginning Monday, May 7, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

With more than 150 wildlife experts and filmmakers strategically positioned around the globe, 24/7 Wild will showcase real animals and their everyday fight for survival — as it happens, in real time. Each episode will focus on the babies of the animal world during the tumultuous spring month of May, when births are more common.

24/7 Wild will feature broadcasts from the African plains, where baby elephants and lions are under constant threat; live reports on the macaques’ mating season in Sri Lanka; and a profile on one black bear’s struggle to raise her first litter in the deep woods of Minnesota. Top Gear’s Richard Hammond will anchor live from Africa, fulfilling his childhood dream and lifelong ambition to work with nature, and well-known U.K. presenter Julia Bradbury (Countryfile)will be covering the action in North America.

Matt Forde, EVP, Sales & Co-productions for BBC Worldwide, commented, “This outstanding new format is sure to peak the interest of natural history fans with its compelling as-live, voyeuristic component. Nat Geo WILD is the perfect co-production partner to help bring these stories to life.”

Geoff Daniels, SVP for Nat Geo WILD, added, “This is the largest and most adventurous event Nat Geo WILD has been a part of since its launch just over two years ago. We are thrilled to be working with the BBC and are excited to bring this new format of live storytelling to our U.S. audience.”

Nat Geo WILD premiere schedule:

• 24/7 Wild: First Steps: Monday, May 7, at 9 p.m. (BBC premiere – Sunday, May 6)
• 24/7 Wild: High Stakes: Monday, May 14, at 8 p.m. (BBC premiere – Thursday, May 10)
• 24/7 Wild: Giant Leap: Monday, May 14, at 9 p.m. (BBC premiere –Sunday, May 13)
• 24/7 Wild: Going to Extremes: Monday, May 21, at 8 p.m. (BBC premiere – Thursday, May 17)
• 24/7 Wild: Make or Break: Monday, May 21, at 9 p.m. (BBC premiere – Sunday, May 20)
• 24/7 Wild: Winners & Losers: Sunday, May 27, at 8 p.m. (BBC premiere – Thursday, May 24)
• For more information, visit www.natgeowild.comor www.natgeowildpr.com.