Factual
British factual channel Eden commissions show with David Attenborough
MUMBAI: British natural history channel Eden has commissioned a five part series with Sir David Attenborough called D‘avid Attenborough’s Natural Curiosities‘.
The series will be produced by Humble Bee Films. It will show some of nature’s extraordinary evolutionary anomalies and how, even today, these curious animals continue to baffle and fascinate.s
Each episode will feature two creatures with curiously distinctive adaptations that link together with a common theme. From the curious ‘hoax’ of the Platypus’s discovery to the Narwhal, the creature that inspired myth of the Unicorn, and the Mole Rat that defies the age limits of all other rodents and lives for 30 years, Sir David will discover how nature has found a way of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.
UKTV senior commissioning editor Catherine Catton said, “We’re thrilled to be working with Humble Bee Films to produce this exclusive series with Sir David for Eden. Sir David Attenborough is a national treasure and we can’t wait to see his passion and curiosity for all things unusual in nature come to life in this fantastic commission for the channel.”
Humble Bee Films‘ Stephen Dunleavy, who is the executive producer for the series, said: “I am delighted to be working with Eden and Sir David on this fascinating series. David Attenborough’s Natural Curiosities will combine David‘s gift for storytelling with wonderful histories of discovery in the natural world. A mix of the curious and the downright baffling, it promises to be a treat for viewers of all ages.”
DUBLIN: Ireland is betting big on reality television. In a move that has Hollywood scouts scrambling for their passports, Dublin has unveiled Europe’s first tax credit dedicated solely to unscripted programming—think The Traitors rather than Game of Thrones.
The scheme offers producers a juicy 20 per cent rebate on qualifying expenditure, capped at €15 million ($17.5 million) per project. It’s a cultural credit with strings attached: programmes must pass a test proving they genuinely promote Irish and European culture. No word yet on whether Love Island derivatives need apply.
Ireland tánaiste and minister for finance Simon Harris says the incentive will cement Ireland’s reputation as a “centre of excellence” for audiovisual production. His colleague, minister for culture, communications and sport Patrick O’Donovan, insists Ireland has “the talent, creativity and production expertise to lead” in unscripted television. Bold claims for a nation that has spent decades exporting scripted drama.
The timing is canny. Unscripted production costs have soared globally, making Ireland’s existing infrastructure—and now its tax breaks—increasingly attractive. Fox Entertainment Studios already churns out shows like Beat Shazam and The Floor from Irish studios. Whether these American productions will pass the cultural test remains to be seen.
Producers must secure an interim cultural certificate before filming begins, allowing them to claim credits during production rather than waiting until wrap. A final certificate follows completion. The European Commission has blessed the scheme through December 2028.
Minimum thresholds apply: productions must cost at least €250,000, with eligible expenditure above €125,000. Only one season per project can claim relief in any 12-month period, though producers can juggle multiple projects.
Britain, take note. The UK industry has clamoured for similar support for 18 months, but Westminster has dithered. India’s ministry of information and broadcasting pay heed. Its incentive scheme for co-productions excludes unscripted television. To what end, no one knows! Ireland, meanwhile, is already rolling out the red carpet—or should that be green?
The message from Dublin is clear: when it comes to backing reality TV, Ireland isn’t messing about. Lights, camera, tax action.
