Snapchat to Stream Six Exclusive Mobile Episodes of BBC's 'Planet Earth II' This Month

[MacRumors]

Snapchat has secured the rights to stream six exclusive mini episodes of hugely popular BBC nature documentary series Planet Earth II (via The Verge).

The short run of mobile episodes is due to start on February 17, one day before the full series is scheduled to begin broadcast on BBC America.

The 4-6 minute episodes accessible to Snapchat users will consist of content shown on the BBC in late 2016 - Islands, Mountains, Jungles, Deserts, Grasslands, and Cities - but will also feature exclusive content not seen before on TV.

However, the episodes won't include presentation and commentary from Sir David Attenborough, with actress Sophie Okonedo the narrator instead. Snap says the episodes will also feature binaural (3D) audio. The episodes will appear weekly in the Discover section of the app alongside the regular daily content created by other publishers. Users interested in the episodes can subscribe using the app's QR-style Snap codes.

The announcement indicates Snapchat's continuing attempt to kickstart growth of its user base, which is currently at 158 million daily active users but has slowed significantly in recent months. Snap recorded $514.6 million in losses last year and faces stiff competition from Instagram, which continues to successfully ape its features. In addition to its push into original content with mobile versions of shows like The Voice, Snap filed for an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange last week, hoping to raise $3 billion from investors.

Snapchat is a free download for iPhone available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Snapchat to Stream Six Exclusive Mobile Episodes of BBC's 'Planet Earth II' This Month

 

[Appleaker]

Although very different, his reminds me of the Carpool Karaoke situation. A lot of what makes the Planet Earth series is David Attenborough, similar to how James Corden is an essential part of Carpool Karaoke.

Anyway, that was slightly irrelevant. Personally I don't think Snapchats content plan won't help growth.

 

[jonnysods]

Snapchat is a big teenage thing. Is Planet Earth really going to capture the heart of a 13 year old?

 

[4jasontv]

What is "binaural (3D) audio", and how does my phone produce it?

 

[Hustler1337]

Snapchat is a big teenage thing. Is Planet Earth really going to capture the heart of a 13 year old?

I used to be fascinated watching Attenborough's wildlife documentaries when I was a kid, and I know many who do. But I agree, on the part that it seems like the completely wrong medium for distributing a documentary. Who on earth would want to watch mini-episodes of Planet Earth (or anything else) on Snapchat?. The fact that David Attenborough's not narrating the mini-episodes just makes it worse - his narration is an integral part of Planet Earth itself.

 

[AngerDanger]

It's starting to feel like…

 

[adamjackson]

Wat?

Let's take a cinematic journey through our world on a 4" phone screen.

 

[nburwell]

Hard pass

Regardless of Snapchat including these mini episodes within the app, I was planning on checking out Planet Earth II regardless. I'm even less inclined to watch the mini episodes knowing that Sir David Attenborough will not be narrating.

 

[jonnysods]

I used to be fascinated watching Attenborough's wildlife documentaries when I was a kid, and I know many who do. But I agree, on the part that it seems like the completely wrong medium for distributing a documentary. Who on earth would want to watch mini-episodes of Planet Earth (or anything else) on Snapchat?. The fact that David Attenborough's not narrating the mini-episodes just makes it worse - his narration is an integral part of Planet Earth itself.

I watched Attenborough docs for over 30 years. Loved it. Can't imagine the kids I know who use SC giving it the time of day.

 

[Keane16]

I used to be fascinated watching Attenborough's wildlife documentaries when I was a kid, and I know many who do. But I agree, on the part that it seems like the completely wrong medium for distributing a documentary. Who on earth would want to watch mini-episodes of Planet Earth (or anything else) on Snapchat?.

If the mini-episodes get those younger people out of trying filters for a even a small amount of time and then watching the full series then it's a win in my book.

I watched Attenborough docs for over 30 years. Loved it. Can't imagine the kids I know who use SC giving it the time of day.

I know plenty of younger family members who live on Snapchat (or it feels like to me) and they will love having this access to PEII within Snapchat.