David Attenborough to explore the evolution of flight in 'Conquest Of The Skies 3D' a ground-breaking three part mini-series for broadcast on Sky 3D and in 2D on Sky 1 HD this Christmas

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David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies 3D (3x60), the latest landmark 3D series from David Attenborough will arrive on Sky 3D this Christmas, utilising ground-breaking 3D techniques and technology to tell the story of nature’s greatest aeronauts and the intricate engineering that has allowed them to conquer the skies.

In David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies 3D Britain’s best-loved broadcaster will explore this dazzling world, combining new 3D macroscopic and high-speed filming techniques to tell the evolutionary story of flight from the very first insects to the incredible array of creatures which rule the skies today.

From the double BAFTA® award-winning team behind Natural History Museum Alive and Flying Monsters, David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies 3D will reveal the dazzling world of flight as never before. David analyses gliding reptiles, parachuting mammals, acrobatic insects and the exquisite and intricate aerial world of birds on location at a number of locations all over the world including China, Rome, Scotland, Ecuador and Borneo.

David Attenborough commented: “The story of evolutionary flight is one I’ve always wanted to tell in 3D.  It’s a wonderful subject and a very exciting project but technically it is a huge challenge, especially in 3D.”

Anthony Geffen commented: “Conquest of the skies builds on all the 3D storytelling and technology that we have been developing on these programmes with David over the last 5 years.  Now new macro systems, super high speed cameras and 3D octocopters will allow us to see the story of animal flight in a way we have never seen it before.”

Sky’s Siobhan Mulholland, Commissioning Editor, Factual commented: “David’s passion for innovation and masterful storytelling continue to deliver entertaining, insightful and immersive shows which we know Sky customers love so we’re thrilled he’s taking to the skies – so to speak – to explore the world of flight in dazzling new depth.”

Written and presented by the multi-award winning natural history broadcaster, David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies 3D marks his seventh 3D project for Sky. David Attenborough in partnership with the producer Anthony Geffen are the only people ever to win the coveted Hew Weldon BAFTA® award for Specialist Factual twice for their 3D films Natural History Museum Alive 3D and Flying Monsters 3D. Other previous 3D projects with Sky include; the RTS winning The Bachelor King 3D, the Best European 3D documentary and BAFTA® nominated Kingdom of Plants 3D, the RTS winning Galapagos 3D and the BAFTA® - nominated and Best European 3D documentary winningMicro Monsters 3D.

Commissioned by Sky’s Siobhan Mulholland, Commissioning Editor, Factual and produced by Anthony Geffen (in his eleventh collaboration with David Attenborough), CEO of Colossus Productions, David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies 3D represents Sky’s 2011 commitment to investment in original British content.

Since launching Sky 3D in October 2010 Sky has broken new ground across a range of genres, including natural history, live music, the arts, sports and movies.  Highlights have included live 3D broadcasts of a number of musical and dance performances including the Got To Dance Live Finaland Kylie Minogue Live From The O2, the world’s first 3D opera, dance performances and music festival, the 3D TV world premieres of Avatar, Alice in Wonderland and the Toy Story Trilogy as well as more than 150 live sports broadcast spanning a range of domestic and international sports.

Following the introduction of Entertainment Extra+ in 2013, customers with a 3D TV who take this new pack or an HD subscription can now enjoy entertainment and arts content in immersive 3D.

David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies 3D is in production now for broadcast on Sky 3D and in 2D on Sky 1 HD this Christmas.

-ENDS-

About Colossus Productions:

Colossus Productions is the production company formed by Sky and Atlantic Productions in 2011. The joint venture was created to develop and produce high-end 3D programming for UK and international audiences, including the rapidly growing number of Sky 3D homes. 

Previous Colossus films include; the BAFTA® award winning Natural History Museum Alive 3D andFlying Monsters 3D, the Best European 3D documentary and BAFTA® nominated Kingdom of Plants 3D, the RTS winning Galapagos 3D, the BAFTA® - nominated and Best European 3D documentary Micro Monsters 3D. Flying Monsters, Penguin King and Galapagos 3D have all been released successfully in IMAX theatres around the world.   Their current production is Conquest of the Skies 3D is due to premiere on Sky 3D this Christmas. 

About Sky:
 
Sky is the UK and Ireland’s leading home entertainment and communications company.  Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.

Sky is the UK’s biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.5 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News.   Around two-thirds of Sky’s content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes.  More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.
Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator.  Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.

Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi.  NOW TV, Sky’s second consumer brand, builds on the company’s leadership in internet TV.  Sky is also the UK's fastest-growing home communications company and favourite ‘triple-play’ provider of TV, broadband and home phone.

Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts.  Sky employs 24,000 people, has annual revenues of £7.2 billion and is estimated to support a £5.9 billion contribution to UK GDP.  Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY).

About Atlantic Productions:

Atlantic Productions leads a group of companies which make television programmes, theatrical and IMAX films, apps, visual effects and now, immersive virtual reality 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 and their films have won many of the industry’s most coveted awards worldwide.  Specialising in the history, science and, more recently, natural history areas, the varied output includes traditional documentaries, observational films, docudramas and drama.

Extensive television work includes; the BAFTA® award-winning David Attenborough’s Natural History Museum Alive 3D (Sky 3D) and BAFTA® award-winning Flying Monsters, 3D (Sky 3D), the 6-part series Time Scanners (National Geographic/ PBS); the triple Emmy-winning First Life series (BBC/Discovery), the BAFTA® nominated series Kingdom of Plants and the Wildscreen-nominatedRise of Animals: Triumph of the Vertebrates (BBC/ABC); the Emmy-winning Jerusalem: City of Heaven; the landmark 5-part series The Promised Land and The American Dream (BBC/Discovery); BAFTA®-nominated Munich: Mossad’s Revenge (C4/Discovery); the 25-part Lost Worlds series (History), Secrets of Egypt (National Geographic); The Real Lapd and The Real Miami Vice series (Discovery/C5).

Theatrical productions include; The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest, (winner of the best Giant Screen film award) and the IMAX films including Flying Monsters 3D, Penguins 3D and Galapagos 3D.

As innovators in new technology, Atlantic Productions use multiple platforms to reach different audiences across the world.  Their Kingdom of Plants app was nominated by Apple as one of the best apps of 2012. Other innovative multimedia projects include NHM Alive (Broadcast Awards) and the best-selling Flying Monsters app.

Forthcoming productions include Inside the Commons (BBC), and through their new division Alchemy, they are currently working on producing new Virtual Reality experiences for launch in the autumn 2014.

For further information please contact:

Megan MacLeod   
Senior Publicist, Sky Movies, Sky Atlantic and Sky 3D
megan.macleod@bskyb.com

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