In an unexpected, although completely understandable turn, David Attenborough’s beautiful Planet Earth II has overtaken The X-Factor in the popularity stakes.
The Independent reports that the breathtakingly picturesque nature programme has attracted more younger viewers in the 16-34 bracket, than the nation’s old favourite talent show.
It seems this age group in particular prefer stunning landscapes and exotic wildlife to people struggling to sing and insults from the villainous Simon Cowell.
Sir David Attenborough puts the show’s success down to new technology, allowing people to view the incredible scenes in even higher definition, with shots from ‘remote’ cameras.
The lovable grandad of TV – and let’s be honest, national treasure – seemed particularly pleased that the show’s soundtrack has gone down a treat among younger viewers.
He said:
I’m told that we are attracting a larger than normal number of younger viewers and apparently the music of Hans Zimmer in particular is striking a chord.
That pleases me enormously.
There’s also another intriguing reason why the programme has attracted quite so many viewers…
Sir David believes that one of the major reasons for an increase in ratings is that viewers are becoming more and more keen to find out about the planet we live on – and the crazy things that inhabit it.
He believes viewers are ‘reconnecting with a planet whose beauty is blemished and whose health is failing.’ Moving words.
The mountain themed second episode pulled in the highest figures of the season so far, beating The X-Factor to the top of the ranks by nearly half a million viewers.
The series producer, Mike Gunton reflected on the stunning visuals, that are quickly making the programme a staple part of the British TV-watcher’s menu.
He said:
Visually, where Planet Earth took an almost God-like perspective and said ‘Let’s look down on the Earth and see the scale of the planet’, what Planet Earth II is doing is saying ‘Let’s get ourselves into the lives of the animals, and see it from their perspective.
The visual signature of the series is that you feel like the camera is with the animals. It’s very fluid, very active. For example, you might see this wonderful lemur leaping through the forest.
Normally when we’d film that, we’d be standing back observing it, but here the lemur almost jumps over your shoulder and as it’s jumping over your shoulder, you’re with it – the camera is running with it!
The revelation that the documentary series is now in hotter-demand than the ever-popular singing show may cause some controversy in the TV world.
Who knows, maybe it could even be placing a massive nail in the coffin of the ailing ‘talent’ show.
And with scenes like the little lizard’s ‘great snake escape’ going viral, it seems the show’s ratings could spike even higher.
I for one know what I’d rather have on…
