View source for The Blue Planet

{{short description|2001 British nature documentary television series}}
{{About|the BBC nature documentary||Blue Planet (disambiguation){{!}}Blue Planet}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox television
| image              = BBC Blue Planet title.jpg
| alt_name           = '''The Blue Planet: Seas of Life'''
| genre              = [[Nature documentary]]
| writer             =
| director           = 
| presenter          = 
| narrated           = [[David Attenborough]]
| composer           = [[George Fenton]]
| country            = United Kingdom
| language           = English
| num_episodes       = 8
| executive_producer = [[Alastair Fothergill]]
| producer           = 
| location           = 
| runtime            = 50 minutes
| company            = [[BBC Natural History Unit]]
| first_aired        = {{start date|2001|09|12|df=yes}}
| last_aired         = {{end date|2001|10|31|df=yes}}
| related            = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Blue Planet II]]''
* ''[[Planet Earth (2006 TV series)|Planet Earth]]''
* ''[[Frozen Planet]]''
}}
| alt                = Screenshot of series title card
| channel            = [[BBC One]] 
}}
'''''The Blue Planet''''' is a British [[nature documentary]] series created and co-produced as a co-production between the [[BBC Natural History Unit]] and [[Discovery Channel]]. It premiered on 12 September 2001 in the United Kingdom. It is narrated by [[David Attenborough]].

Described as "the first ever comprehensive series on the natural history of the world's oceans",<ref>From DVD cover</ref> each of the eight 50-minute episodes examines a different aspect of [[marine life]]. The [[underwater photography]] included creatures and behaviour that had previously never been filmed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008044n |title=''The Blue Planet'' homepage |website=[[BBC Online]] |access-date=1 April 2018}}</ref>

The series won a number of [[Emmy Awards|Emmy]] and [[British Academy Television Awards|BAFTA TV awards]] for its music and cinematography.<ref name="IMDb">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0296310/awards |title=Awards for the Blue Planet (2001)|publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=31 March 2009}}</ref> The executive producer was [[Alastair Fothergill]] and the music was composed by [[George Fenton]]. Attenborough narrated this series before presenting the next in his 'Life' series of programmes, ''[[The Life of Mammals]]'' (2002), and the same production team created ''[[Planet Earth (2006 TV series)|Planet Earth]]'' (2006).

A sequel series, ''[[Blue Planet II]]'' was aired on [[BBC One]] in 2017.

== Background ==
The series took almost five years to make, involving nearly 200 filming locations. The fact that most of the [[ocean]] environment remains a mystery presented the production team with many challenges. Besides witnessing some animal behaviours for the first time, the crew also observed some that were new to science. The producers were helped by marine scientists all over the world with state-of-the-art equipment.

[[Blue whale]]s – whose migration routes were previously unknown – were located by air, after some of the animals had been given temporary radio tags. The camera team spent three years on standby, using a [[ultralight aviation|microlight]] to land on the water nearby when they finally caught up with the creatures in the [[Gulf of California]]. The open ocean proved more difficult and over 400 days were spent in often unsuccessful filming trips. After six weeks, the crew chanced upon a [[Shoaling and schooling|school]] of [[spinner dolphin]]s, which in turn led them to a shoal of [[tuna]]. Off [[Mexico]], the behaviour of a flock of [[frigatebird]]s guided the cameramen to a group of [[sailfish]] and [[marlin]]: the fastest inhabitants of the sea. Near the coast of [[KwaZulu-Natal Province|Natal]] in [[South Africa]], the team spent two seasons attempting to film the annual [[sardine run]], a huge congregation of predators such as [[shark]]s and [[dolphin]]s, that assembles to feast on the [[Fish migration|migrating fish]] by corralling them into "bait balls". Meanwhile, in [[Monterey Bay]], [[orca]] were documented attacking [[gray whale]]s and killing a calf. Filming in the deep ocean required the use of special [[submersible]]s. One of them enabled the crew to dive over a mile into the San Diego trench, where the carcass of a 40-ton gray whale had been placed to attract a large variety of scavengers.<ref>{{cite video |people=[[Martha Holmes (broadcaster)|Holmes, Martha]] |title=Making Waves |medium=[[DVD]] |publisher = [[BBC]] |location=United Kingdom |date=2007}}</ref>

When first transmitted on [[BBC One]], over 12 million people watched the series and it regularly achieved an audience share of over 30%.

In 2018 a newly-discovered species of [[phytoplankton]] (''[[Syracosphaera azureaplaneta]]'') was named by scientists in honour of the programme, and in recognition of David Attenborough's contribution to promoting wider understanding and awareness of the oceanic environment.<ref>{{cite web|title=New ocean plankton species named after BBC's Blue Planet series|url=http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0418/170418-Syracosphaera-azureaplaneta|website=ucl.ac.uk|publisher=University College London|access-date=17 April 2018|date=17 April 2018}}</ref><ref name=Young>{{cite journal|last1=Young|first1=Jeremy R.|last2=Bown|first2=Paul R.|last3=Cros|first3=Lluisa|last4=Hagino|first4=Kyoko|last5=Jordan|first5=Richard W.|title=''Syracosphaera azureaplaneta'' sp. nov. and revision of ''Syracosphaera corolla'' Lecal, 1966|journal=Journal of Nannoplankton Research|date=2018|volume=38|issue=1|pages=1–6 |doi=10.58998/jnr2301 |s2cid=4891805 }}</ref>

== Episodes ==
{{blockquote|"Our planet is a blue planet: over seventy per cent of it is covered by the sea. The Pacific Ocean alone covers half the globe. You can fly across it non-stop for twelve hours and still see nothing more than a speck of land. This series will reveal the complete natural history of our ocean planet, from its familiar shores to the mysteries of its deepest seas."| David Attenborough, from episode one}}

{{Episode table |background=#2998FF | overall= |title= |airdate= |viewers= |viewersR=<ref name="BARB">{{cite web |url=http://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/weekly-top-30/ |title=Weekly Top 30 Programmes |publisher=[[BARB]]}} (data available for ''The Blue Planet'' broadcast weeks by searching archive)</ref>|country=UK |episodes= 
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 1
 |Title           = Introduction
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|09|12|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074mhp|title=BBC One - The Blue Planet, Introduction}}</ref>
 |Viewers         = 12.01
 |ShortSummary    = 
The opening episode shows how ocean life is regulated around the globe by [[ocean current|currents]] and the varying position of the [[Sun]]. Near a [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] [[seamount]], there is a large concentration of marine animals because when the current makes contact with the submerged rock, it forces upwards [[plankton]] and other organisms. This in turn attracts other fish to the area that are higher up the food chain, like tuna, and those that are higher still, such as [[silky shark]]s. Off South Africa, a similar situation occurs every June when [[sardine]]s migrate and are pursued by a caravan of various predators. The [[Atlantic Ocean|South Atlantic]] waters are the roughest, and storms also churn up nutrients to the surface. These feeding grounds have led to the world's largest [[albatross]] breeding colony, on [[Steeple Jason Island]], west of the [[Falkland Islands|Falklands]]. [[Phytoplankton]] forms the basis of all sea life, and every night some 1,000 million tonnes of creatures ascend from the deep to search for food. [[Lunar phase]]s can also have a bearing on events and the mass arrival of [[ridley sea turtle]]s on a [[Costa Rica]]n beach is shown. [[Herring]] initiate the most productive food chain, providing sustenance for [[humpback whale]]s, and [[Steller's sea lion|Steller's]] and [[California sea lion]]s. In addition, their eggs are nutrition for many, both above and in the sea. Along the coast of California, a migrating [[gray whale]] and her calf are targeted by a pod of [[orca]]s, who hunt down and kill the calf. Meanwhile, another gray whale carcass has sunk to the bottom of the deep sea. Hagfish, a [[sleeper shark]], and other scavengers arrive to feast on the carcass, a valuable food source in the depths, where sustenance is almost always scarce. A year and a half later the carcass is stripped to the bone.

This episode won an [[Emmy Award]] for "Outstanding Cinematography for Non-Fiction Programming". George Fenton's work in this episode won another Emmy for "Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)".<ref name="IMDb" />
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{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   =  2
 |Title           = The Deep
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|09|19|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074mjc|title=BBC One - The Blue Planet, The Deep}}</ref>
 |Viewers         = 11.51
 |ShortSummary    = This episode explores the unknown depths of the ocean. Over 60% of the sea is more than a mile deep and it forms the planet's most mysterious habitat. A [[sperm whale]] descends 1,000 metres to look for food and is followed, with the [[Johnson Sealink]] submersible. On the way down, a number of unusual creatures are witnessed, such as transparent [[squid]] and [[jellyfish|jellies]], whose [[photophore]]s give pulsating displays of colour. In such dark places, both being able to see (or sense movement) and the means of quick concealment are equally desirable. To that end, some use [[bioluminescence]] as a means of detecting food or evading predators. A descent to the very bottom of the ocean – some 4,000 metres – reveals life even at such cold temperatures, much of it new to science. It is dominated by [[echinoderm]]s that sweep the sea bed; however, there are occasional large hunters, such as [[chimaera]]. In addition, [[Bluntnose sixgill shark|sixgill shark]]s can grow up to eight metres in length and have remained unchanged for 150 million years. They are described as "living fossils" and relatively little is known about them. The remains of a gray whale are filmed being consumed by hagfish, a sleeper shark, probably a [[Greenland shark|Greenland sleeper]] or a [[Pacific sleeper shark|Pacific sleeper]] and the submersible involved in filming this is [[DSV Alvin]], which is the same submersible that [[Robert Ballard]] used in 1986 to explore the [[Wreck of the RMS Titanic|wreck of the ''Titanic'']], as acrylic sphere submersibles cannot reach that depth. As the [[continental shelf|continental slope]] flattens out, it joins the [[abyssal plain]], which can form huge trenches. At seven miles, the deepest is the [[Mariana Trench]], and fish have been found there right down to the very bottom. Attenborough remarks that more is known about the surface of the [[Moon]]. Species captured on film for the first time include the [[Grimpoteuthis|Dumbo octopus]] and the [[Caulophryne polynema|hairy anglerfish]].
 
This episode was nominated for two [[Emmy Awards|Emmy Award]] for Outstanding Sound Editing and Outstanding Sound Mixing in the non-fiction category. It was also nominated for a BAFTA TV award for Best Innovation.<ref name="IMDb" />
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{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 3
 |Title           = Open Ocean
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|09|26|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0080pjz|title=BBC One - The Blue Planet, Open Ocean}}</ref>
 |Viewers         = 10.98
 |ShortSummary    = The third instalment focuses on life in the "marine deserts": [[pole of inaccessibility#Oceanic pole of inaccessibility|seas that are furthest from land]]. Such waters contain the swiftest and most powerful of ocean hunters. A feeding frenzy is shown, as [[striped marlin]], tuna and a [[sei whale]] (later identified as a [[Bryde's whale]]) pick off a shoal of sardines until all within it have been consumed. [[Manta ray]]s also gather to eat the eggs of spawning [[Acanthuridae|surgeonfish]]. Accumulations of plankton correspond to ocean 'boundaries' and consequently, schools of fish seek them out. This in turn attracts predators, and a [[sailfish]] is filmed on the attack. The only escape for smaller fish is to put as much distance between them and their pursuers as possible. [[Southern bluefin tuna|Bluefin tuna]] are able to heat their bodies and so can hunt in colder conditions than the others of their species. Off the coast of [[New Zealand]], an undersea [[volcano]] has formed an island and the nearby currents sweep many kinds of creatures to it, again creating huge feeding grounds. Another Pacific seamount is surrounded by [[hammerhead shark]]s, but not to seek food: they are there to allow other fish to clean them of [[parasitism|parasite]]s. However, others that are on the lookout for prey arrive in vast numbers. A large pod of [[common dolphin]]s is too big to feed all at once and so splits up into smaller expeditions. One of these ends up near the [[Azores]] with a shoal of [[mackerel]] in its sights, but they have to compete for their quarry with an attendant flock of [[shearwater]]s and a group of adult [[yellowfin tuna]].
 |LineColor       = 2998FF
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{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 4
 |Title           = Frozen Seas
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|10|04|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00818zy|title=BBC One - The Blue Planet, Frozen Seas}}</ref>
 |Viewers         = 12.10
 |ShortSummary    = 
This episode compares oceanic life in the [[Arctic]] and [[Antarctica]]. The winter in these regions brings temperatures of minus 50&nbsp;°C and frozen seas that create the biggest challenge. However, there are [[polynya]]s in the Arctic, which are free of ice owing to the pressure of currents on either side, and such places do provide refuge for some species, like the [[walrus]] and the [[bowhead whale]]. A pod of [[Beluga (whale)|belugas]] is shown: their movements are limited to a single hole in the ice – therefore putting them at risk of attack from [[polar bear]]s. Everything changes with the arrival of summer, when melting ice brings a variety of migratory visitors. At the other end of the planet, in the Antarctic, winter is even more harsh, but [[emperor penguin]]s and [[Weddell seal]]s stay throughout. Under the sea ice, [[krill]] shrink in size and revert to their juvenile form in order to save energy. [[Chinstrap penguin]]s overwinter to the north, beyond the ice, but return during the spring to breed. Having managed to get ashore, they have to walk a great distance to find a nest site, and the most favoured is [[Zavodovski Island]], an active volcano whose warmth keeps ice from forming. Further south, as the sea ice breaks up, humpback and [[minke whale]]s appear, their target the abundant krill. The [[leopard seal]] is the Antarctic's top predator. It is most effective underwater, and emperor penguins propel themselves at speed through its territory. Nonetheless, it almost invariably makes a kill.

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{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 5
 |Title           = Seasonal Seas
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|10|10|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074mlf|title=BBC One - The Blue Planet, Seasonal Seas}}</ref>
 |Viewers         = 9.75
 |ShortSummary    = The fifth instalment surveys the effects of the [[season]]s on the world's temperate seas – the most productive on Earth. [[Sable Island]] near [[Nova Scotia]] boasts the largest colony of [[grey seal]]s, which breed there when the weather is at its worst. The pups remain marooned for weeks until the spring, when they are strong enough to swim. Spring also heralds the bloom of phytoplankton: it provides food for [[copepod]]s, and they in turn are prey to jellyfish, which assemble in vast, million-strong swarms. On the [[California]]n coast, [[Kelp|giant kelp]] also flourishes and by summer, grows at the rate of a metre a day. It provides a sanctuary for shoals of fish and [[sea otter]]s, the latter anchoring themselves to the [[seaweed]] when resting and keeping its grazers in check by eating them. Late summer in [[Alaska]] sees [[Salmon|Pacific salmon]] heading inshore to breed. However, the level of their favoured river is too low and they are forced to wait in the open sea, where they fall prey to a [[salmon shark]]. The early autumn near [[Vancouver Island]], and the temperature drops slowly. There, the last of the year's baby herring become the focus for a feeding frenzy by diving [[auk]]s and [[guillemot|murre]]s, and marauding [[Sebastidae|rockfish]]. [[Pacific white-sided dolphin]]s also inhabit these waters and, when not hunting nocturnally, socialise during the day. As winter arrives in the north, adult herring seek shelter but are hunted by orca, which club the fish with their tails to subdue them by creating waves of pressure.
 |LineColor       = 2998FF
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 6
 |Title           = Coral Seas
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|10|17|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074mmc|title=BBC One - The Blue Planet, Coral Seas}}</ref>
 |Viewers         = 9.80
 |ShortSummary    = [[Coral reef]]s, which are so crowded that they play host to a perpetual battle for space, even among the [[coral]] itself. It starts life as a larva that becomes a [[polyp (zoology)|polyp]]. Having multiplied, it hardens into a [[limestone]] skeleton and grows to form a reef. As the community flourishes, animals develop relationships with one another and such a place can feature a huge variety of ocean life. Although corals feed nocturnally on plankton, sunlight is vital because even though they are animals, each contains millions of single-celled [[algae]]. This in turn is the favoured sustenance of the [[Green humphead parrotfish|humphead parrotfish]], whose jaws are so powerful that it erodes much of the reef into fine sand. Algae also grows on the top of the reef and a battle for grazing rights between shoals of [[Acanthurus leucosternon|powder blue]] and [[Acanthurus triostegus|convict tang]]s is shown, the former being initially overwhelmed by the latter's weight of numbers before regaining the upper hand. The night-time hunting of a [[Batoidea|marbled ray]] alerts other predators and a group of [[whitetip reef shark]]s moves in, from which few are safe. Several breeding strategies are examined, including the acrobatic habits of brown surgeonfish and the colourful courtship of the [[cuttlefish|flamboyant cuttlefish]]. Humpback whales are visitors to the reef and males establish their seniority by the loudness and strength of their [[Whale song|song]]. Being fixed to the seabed, corals must synchronise their reproduction with lunar phases and the rising spring temperatures.
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{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 7
 |Title           = Tidal Seas
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|10|24|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008535y|title=BBC One - The Blue Planet, Tidal Seas}}</ref>
 |Viewers         = 10.35
 |ShortSummary    = 
The penultimate episode deals with marine life that is structured around the rising and falling [[tide]]s. These are caused by the gravitational pull of the orbiting [[moon]], but in some locations, this can also combine with the power of the sun to create a [[tidal bore]]. The world's largest tides are to be found in the [[Bay of Fundy]] in Nova Scotia and therefore it is a rich feeding ground. A school of [[Fin whale|finback whale]]s is closely shadowed by a flock of [[Cory's shearwater]]s. However, they only have a limited time to feed before low tide, when they must retreat and other creatures appear. Elsewhere, some of the latter include [[sand bubbler crab]]s, [[bear]]s (which feed on [[shellfish]]) and a [[Neogastropoda|snail]] species that can 'surf', and some [[sand lance]]s being preyed on by [[Spiny dogfish|dogfish sharks]]. The extreme spring tides allow opportunists to forage further, and [[raccoon]]s are shown tackling a [[Grapsus grapsus|red rock crab]]. Some larger fish that hunt on the seabed, such as [[nurse shark]]s and [[stingray]]s, are forced to sit and wait until there is sufficient water in which to swim. A [[Pleuroploca gigantea|giant horse conch]] is shown devouring a [[tulip snail]], and [[hermit crab]]s battle over its vacant shell. The varying water levels are no obstacle to [[tarpon]]: they can breathe air. This enables them to inhabit stagnant areas and hunt in them. The autumn [[equinox]] combines with a [[hurricane]] off the [[Bahamas]] to create a much higher tide than is usual, flooding large parts of the coast. When the sea recedes, it leaves behind [[salt]]: food for [[brine shrimp]]s and the perfect habitat in which [[flamingo]]s can breed.
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}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = 8
 |Title           = Coasts
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|10|31|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074mn1|title=BBC One - The Blue Planet, Coasts}}</ref>
 |Viewers         = 9.97
 |ShortSummary    = The final episode examines the world's coastal environments, "the most dynamic of all ocean habitats". The perils of living in such places are highlighted by [[marine iguana]]s on the [[Galápagos Islands]], whose diet of seaweed is quickly grabbed between crashing breakers. Many shores provide sites in which to breed or lay eggs. Apart from [[bird]]s, [[turtle]]s are among other major species to do so, and the mass emergence of [[Flatback turtle|flatback]]s on [[Crab Island (Queensland)|Crab Island]] in Australia is reduced by predatory [[night heron]]s, [[pelican]]s and other hunters. Each year, four million seabirds, comprising fourteen species, return to the island of [[Spafaryev Islands|Talan]] in eastern Russia to nest. By ensuring that all their chicks eventually leave at the same time, they lessen the impact of predators. The rough seas of the [[Southern Ocean]] play host to [[Southern rockhopper penguin|penguin]]s, and a group of them is shown being pursued by an aggressive bull [[South American sea lion|sea lion]]. The planet's coldest seas are in Antarctica, and on [[South Georgia Island|South Georgia]] each spring, thousands of [[southern elephant seal]]s arrive to breed. A pair of males is shown fighting a bloody battle to control a harem of females, and Attenborough states that these fights, which are rarely fatal, can go on for 20 minutes or longer. In [[Patagonia]], the social nature of sea lions is shown as they establish colonies, each of them several hundred strong. While in some respects it is an ideal location for the growing young, high tide brings danger for the colony as a pod of [[orca]]s habitually goes on the attack. After intentionally grounding themselves to catch their prey, the orcas return to the sea with their quarries to 'play' with them, before ultimately consuming their kills.
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}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = Specials
 |Title           = Deep Trouble
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|10|28|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00cxrcz|title=BBC Two - The Blue Planet, Deep Trouble}}</ref>
 |Viewers         = 
 |ShortSummary    = Scientists believe many species that are eaten every day are now seriously threatened. Most people have no idea where the fish they buy come from let alone how endangered they might be. As fish stocks dry up, supermarkets are now offering new and strange species from the deep sea. Bizarre-looking creatures are being dragged up in vast fishing nets from depths of 1,000 metres or more. The methods used to catch them are horrifying. As the nets drag along the sea bed they rip up 100-year-old corals and sponges, destroying the habitat. So even these new species may not be available for long.
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{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber   = Specials
 |Title           = Making Waves
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|11|11|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p033ckxq|title=BBC One - The Blue Planet, Making Waves|date=11 November 2001 }}</ref>
 |Viewers         = 
 |ShortSummary    = The making of The Blue Planet.
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}}

== Merchandise ==
===DVD and Blu-ray===
The series was available as a 3-disc [[DVD]] set (BBCDVD1089, released 3 December 2001 and re-released in 2003), including interviews with the production team, a photo gallery and three additional programmes:
* ''Making Waves'': the making of ''The Blue Planet'' (50 mins)
* ''Deep Trouble'': an ecological documentary (50 mins)
* ''Blue'': a five-minute theatrical short

The first DVD has now been superseded by a 4-disc Special Edition (BBCDVD1792, released 3 October 2005), which has three extra programmes:
* ''The Abyss''
* ''Dive to Shark Volcano''
* ''Amazon Abyss''

In the US, there is a 4-disc Collector's Set edition (Released 2002), including 8 featurettes, interviews, photo galleries and one additional programmes:
* ''Deep Trouble'': an ecological documentary (50 mins)

In the US, there is also a 5-disc Special Edition (BBC040754, released 6 May 2008). It contains the same features as the US 4-disc versions, but includes a fifth disk containing four special presentations:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001957A4E |title=Blue Planet: Seas of Life (Five-Disc DVD Special Edition) |website=Amazon.com|date=6 May 2008 |access-date=16 July 2010}}</ref>
* ''Amazon Abyss'': discover an array of creatures living in the Amazon
* ''Dive to Shark Volcano'': venture to Cocoa Island, an underwater volcano
* ''Beneath the Tides'': explore an estuary in winter
* ''Antarctica''

BBC released a 3-disc ''The Blue Planet: Seas of Life'' on Blu-ray on 9 April 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/The-Blue-Planet-Seas-Blu-ray/dp/B00BBXTS94 |title=The Blue Planet: Seas of Life (Blu-ray)|website=Amazon.com|date=9 April 2013 }}</ref> It contains the featured presentations as well as a third disk containing interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and five special presentations:
* ''Amazon Abyss''
* ''Dive to Shark Volcano''
* ''Beneath the Tides''
* ''Antarctica''
* ''Deep Trouble''.

===Books===
The accompanying book, ''The Blue Planet: A Natural History of the Oceans'' by Andrew Byatt, Alastair Fothergill and [[Martha Holmes (broadcaster)|Martha Holmes]] (with a foreword by David Attenborough), was published by [[BBC Worldwide]] on 27 September 2001 ({{ISBN|0-563-38498-0}}).<ref>{{cite book |title=The Blue Planet: A Natural History of the Oceans (Hardcover)|publisher=BBC Worldwide|id={{ASIN|0563384980|country=uk}}}}</ref>

The companion volume for the US market of the same book was published by [[Dorling Kindersley|Dorling Kindersley (DK)]] and released in 2002 ({{ISBN|0-789-48265-7}}).<ref>{{cite book|title = The Blue Planet: A Natural History of the Oceans|publisher = DK|isbn = 0789482657|year = 2001|url-access = registration|url = https://archive.org/details/blueplanetnatura0000byat}}</ref>

== Film ==
{{main|Deep Blue (2003 film)}}
''Deep Blue'' is a 2003 nature documentary film that is a theatrical version of ''The Blue Planet''. [[Alastair Fothergill]] and [[Andy Byatt]] are credited as directors, and six cinematographers are also credited. The film was premiered at the [[San Sebastián International Film Festival|San Sebastian Film Festival]] in Spain on {{nowrap|20 September}} 2003. It screened in more than {{nowrap|20 territories}} from 2003 to 2005 and grossed over {{nowrap|$30 million}} at the box office.

== Live concert tour ==
''The Blue Planet'' was turned into a theatrical presentation entitled ''The Blue Planet Live!'' which toured the UK from 2006 to 2008. The UK live shows were presented by World Class Service Ltd. George Fenton conducted the [[Manchester Camerata]] Orchestra in Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham during December 2006, in three critically acclaimed shows. The tour continued in April 2007, again conducted by Fenton, in London, Cardiff, Birmingham and returning to Manchester and Nottingham.

For the show, some of the most spectacular sequences from the series have been edited together and are displayed on a huge screen (18 metres wide and 3 storeys high). The presentation is introduced by a special guest.

The tour continued in April 2008 with dates at [[Wembley Arena]], [[Nottingham Arena]], [[Manchester Central Convention Complex|Manchester Central]], [[St. David's (Cardiff)|Cardiff St. David's]] and [[Birmingham Symphony Hall]].<ref name="tour">{{cite web|url=http://www.theblueplanetlive.com |title=The Blue Planet Live |publisher=SMG World Class |access-date=31 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330133317/http://theblueplanetlive.com/ |archive-date=30 March 2009 }}</ref>

''The Blue Planet Live!'' continues to be staged:
* on 7 May 2010 at the Morsani Hall of the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], [[Florida]] performed by the [[Florida Orchestra]] and conducted by Ward Stare.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tampabay.com/features/performingarts/the-florida-orchestra-performs-the-blue-planet-live-may-7-in-tampa/1092490 | title=The Florida Orchestra performs 'The Blue Planet Live!' May 7 in Tampa | work=Tampa Bay Times | access-date=5 May 2010 | archive-date=21 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221163427/http://www.tampabay.com/features/performingarts/the-florida-orchestra-performs-the-blue-planet-live-may-7-in-tampa/1092490 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* in July 2011 in the [[Mann Center for the Performing Arts]] in [[Philadelphia]] performed by the [[Russian National Orchestra]], narrator [[Jane Pauley]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://manncenter.org/events/2011-07-27/bbcs-blue-planet-russian-national-orchestra | title=PECO Pops @ the Mann - The Blue Planet Live Russian National Orchestra - Broadcast Journalist Jane Pauley, narrator | publisher=The Mann Center for the Performing Arts | date=27 July 2011 | access-date=18 April 2012 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304211547/http://manncenter.org/events/2011-07-27/bbcs-blue-planet-russian-national-orchestra | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* in June 2012 in [[Singapore]] performed by the [[Singapore Symphony Orchestra]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sistic.com.sg/portal/dt?retry=1&dt.windowProvider.targetPortletChannel=JSPTabContainer/sEventsCalendar/Event&dt.provider=PortletWindowProcessChannel&contentCode=blue0612&dt.windowProvider.currentChannelMode=VIEW&dt.isPortletRequest=true&dt.containerName=JSPTabContainer/sEventsCalendar&dt.action=process&dt.window.portletAction=RENDER | title=The Blue Planet Live! Performed by Singapore Symphony Orchestra | publisher=SISTIC | access-date=18 April 2012}}</ref>
* in December 2014 in [[Abu Dhabi]] at Corniche performed by the [[National Symphony Orchestra]]
* on 22 January 2015 in [[London]] at [[Royal Festival Hall]], as a part of the ''Philharmonia at the Movies'' series.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/734/london/royal_festival_hall/22_january_2015/the_blue_planet_in_concert | title=The Blue Planet in Concert | publisher=Philharmonia Orchestra}}</ref>

==Sequel==
{{Main|Blue Planet II}}
In February 2017, the BBC announced a seven-part sequel had been commissioned, titled ''Blue Planet II'', with Sir David Attenborough returning as narrator and presenter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/david-attenborough-blue-planet-ii|title=Sir David Attenborough to present Blue Planet II for BBC One|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=20 February 2017|access-date= 20 February 2017}}</ref> The sequel debuted on [[BBC One]], [[BBC One HD]] and [[BBC Earth (TV channel)|BBC Earth]] channel on 29 October 2017.

== Overseas ==
The series was sold to over 50 countries.<ref name="film">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2003/03_march/bp_movie.shtml |title=''The Blue Planet'' set for movie release |publisher=BBC Press Office |date=3 March 2003}}</ref> In the United States, it was shown as ''The Blue Planet: Seas of Life'' with the episodes in a different order, the first one being retitled "Ocean World". The series was shown on the [[Discovery Channel]] and was narrated by [[Pierce Brosnan]].

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Award
! Category
! Nominee
! Result
!  class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
|rowspan=15|2002
|rowspan=1|[[18th TCA Awards|Television Critics Association Awards]]
|[[TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials|Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials]]
| ''The Planet Earth''
|{{nom}}
|rowspan=1|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvcritics.org/2002/07/20/2002-tca-awards-winners/ |title=2002 TCA Awards winners |date=20 July 2002 |publisher=[[Television Critics Association]] |access-date=1 April 2021 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813131741/http://tvcritics.org/2002/07/20/2002-tca-awards-winners/ |archive-date=13 August 2012 }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=5|[[Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards]]
|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program|Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program]]
| Doug Allan, Simon Carroll, Bob Cranston, Mike deGruy, Yuri Farrant, Tom Fitz, Mark Wolf, Simon King, Charles Maxwell, Ian McCarthy, Didier Noirot, Michael Pitts, Rick Rosenthal, Peter Scoones and Paul Stewart <small>(for "Seas of Life: Ocean World")</small>
|{{won}}
|rowspan=5|<ref name="Winners/Nominees">[http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2002 Emmys.com list of 2002 Nominees & Winners]</ref>
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series|Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)]]
| [[George Fenton]] <small>(for "Seas of Life: Ocean World")</small>
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program|Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program]]
| Martin Elsbury <small>(for "Ocean World")</small>
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera)|Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera)]]
| Lucy Rutherford <small>(for "The Deep")</small>
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera)|Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera)]]
| Graham Wild <small>(for "The Deep")</small>
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=2|[[2002 British Academy Television Awards|British Academy Television Awards]]
|[[British Academy Television Award for Best Factual Series or Strand|Best Factual Series or Strand]]
| rowspan="2"|''The Blue Planet''
|{{won}}
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2002/television?|title=Television - 2002|publisher=British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)|access-date=1 April 2021}}</ref>
|-
| Innovation
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=4|[[2002 British Academy Television Craft Awards|British Academy Television Craft Awards]]
|[[British Academy Television Craft Award for Best Original Music|Best Original Music]]
| [[George Fenton]]
|{{won}}
|rowspan=4|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2002/tvcraft|title=Television Craft - 2002|publisher=British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)|access-date=14 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[British Academy Television Craft Award for Best Editing: Factual|Best Editing: Factual]]
| Jo Payne, Tim Coope, Alan Hoida, Martin Elsbury
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[British Academy Television Craft Award for Best Photography: Factual|Best Photography: Factual]]
| Camera Team
| {{won}}
|-
| [[British Academy Television Craft Award for Best Sound: Factual|Best Sound: Factual]]
| Sound Team
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Royal Television Society Programme Awards]]
| Science & Natural History
| ''The Blue Planet''
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-09-24 |title=Royal Television Society - Programme |url=http://www.rts.org.uk/awards.asp?sec_id=337&from=section |access-date=2022-03-09 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060924230632/http://www.rts.org.uk/awards.asp?sec_id=337&from=section |archive-date=24 September 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards]]
| Lighting, Photography & Camera - Photography, Documentary/Factual and Non-Drama Productions
| Camera Team
| {{won}}
| rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-craft-and-design-winners-2002|title=CRAFT & DESIGN AWARDS 2002|website=[[Royal Television Society]]|date=24 January 2011 |accessdate=5 February 2023}}</ref>
|-
| Tape and Film Editing - Documentary & Factual	
| Martin Elsbury, Jo Payne, Tim Coope, Alan Hoida 
| {{won}}
|-
|}

== Criticism ==
The series attracted some criticism when it was revealed that some of the footage was filmed at an aquarium in Wales. The series producer, Alastair Fothergill, said that around 2% of the whole series was filmed in tanks at aquariums.<ref name="criticism">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1598813.stm|title=BBC defends indoor lobster footage|publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|access-date=11 May 2009 | date=14 October 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/cruelcamera/fakery.html | title=FAKERY in Wildlife Documentaries | publisher=[[CBC Television]]| work=[[The Fifth Estate (TV series)|the fifth estate]] | date=26 November 2008 | access-date=18 April 2012}}</ref> A BBC spokesman argued that it would have been unethical to actually disturb the breeding process of wild [[lobsters]] for one of the scenes, which was why they made the decision to use the aquarium footage.<ref name="criticism"/>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{portal|Oceans}}
* {{BBC programme}}
* ''[http://www.bbcearth.com/shows/blue-planet The Blue Planet]'' at [[BBC Earth]]
* ''[https://www.hulu.com/blue-planet The Blue Planet]'' at [[Hulu]]
* [http://eden.uktv.co.uk/shows/blue-planet/ ''The Blue Planet''] on the [[Eden (British TV channel)|Eden]] website
* [http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/blue-planet/blue-planet.html Discovery Channel's ''Blue Planet'' homepage]
* [http://www.simonkingwildlife.com/ Simon King, Cameraman]
* {{Screenonline TV title|541337|name=The Blue Planet}}
* {{IMDb title|0296310}}

{{BBC Natural History Unit}}
{{David Attenborough}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blue Planet, The}}
[[Category:2000s British documentary television series]]
[[Category:2001 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:2001 British television series endings]]
[[Category:BBC television documentaries]]
[[Category:Documentary films about marine biology]]
[[Category:Discovery Channel original programming]]
[[Category:Television series by BBC Studios]]