8th June 2021 – ITV Studios has added to its fast-growing slate of blue-chip natural history programming by acquiring the international distribution rights to the breath-taking Great Barrier Reef: The Next Generation, which follows a cast of young marine explorers on an immersive journey into the frenzy of life on the reef, showcasing one of the most incredible wonders of our natural world and how human intervention can aid its regeneration.

This new documentary from Northern Pictures has been developed following Reef Live, a television event broadcast last year on ABC in Australia over the course of the weekend of the coral spawn – the largest mass breeding event on the planet. It enabled viewers to experience the coral spawn live in their own living room and now audiences across the world will be able to immerse themselves in the highlights of this celebration of life, as well as the wider ‘summer of love’ on the reef, through this one-hour special.

Featuring stunning footage of coral spawning, fish breeding, birds and turtles returning to islands to nest, Great Barrier Reef: The Next Generation celebrates the reef at a time of regeneration and renewal, and looks at how ground-breaking research is helping to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the reef for the future.

As the leading producers of natural history film-making in Australia, Northern Pictures is also behind another of the hit shows on ITV Studios’ slate, the multi award-winning blue-chip series Magical Land of Oz, co-produced with Oxford Scientific Films, part of ITV Studios. The series, which takes viewers on a journey from the country’s highest snowy peaks to the depths of its wild southern seas, has aired in 125 territories worldwide.

Cecilie Olsen, SVP, Global Content, Non-Scripted at ITV Studios said: “This is a truly wonderful documentary which will bring the Great Barrier Reef to life for viewers across the globe. The reef faces a difficult future so it’s fitting that we are able to introduce this show to the market on World Oceans Day and reveal the remarkable scientific research which has led to mankind giving it a helping hand with its regeneration.

“The show offers our buyers a unique story about this amazing natural structure, equally attractive as a standalone acquisition or as a logical fourth episode of Magical Land of Oz, which also explored Australia’s incredible coasts. It’s another stellar addition to our diverse and spectacular natural history offering.”

Great Barrier Reef: The Next Generation is produced and directed by Karina Holden, Head of Factual at Northern Pictures, and narrated by actress and co-host of Reef Live Brooke Satchwell (Seachange; Mr Inbetween).

Great Barrier Reef: The Next Generation joins ITV Studios’ ever-growing collection of spectacular natural history programming in its catalogue, which includes the forthcoming, highly-anticipated A Year on Planet Earth, Magical Land of Oz, India’s Wild Karnataka, Wild Tokyo, Attenborough’s Journey and Judi Dench’s Wild Borneo.

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