WildEarth.TV has signed what is its first 24/7 carriage deal with the French IPTV provider Free. For more than three years, it has been broadcasting on the internet, positioning itself at the forefront of live interactive broadcasting.
By broadcasting authentic and “live” wildlife experiences the programming is clearly differentiated from traditional documentary productions. “We are providing an immersive experience in nature,” explained Graham Wallington, CEO and co-founder of WildEarth.TV. “Unlike other wildlife broadcasters, who are in the business of creating documentaries, our focus is on faithfully recreating a real life experience in nature.”
“We are creating a sense of telepresence by transmitting live and giving people the feeling of what it is like to be on safari. There is no scripted narrative, no staged events or cutaways to recorded footage of lion kills. This is safari as it happens.”
Early next year the channel will also broadcast live dives featuring sharks and whales. Free in France has decided on the side-by-side 3DHD format but will also offer the channel in HD, for wildlife fans without a new 3DTV yet.
Torsten Hoffmann, WildEarth.TV´s director of distribution adds: “We are extremely proud to be on the largest IPTV platform in the world. France is the most advanced IPTV market and our interactive, live content will be a popular new flavour in the existing bouquet.”