Life (UK TV series)

Infobox nature documentary
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show_name = LIFE


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picture_format = (HDTV)
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runtime = 60 minutes
creator = BBC Natural History Unit
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producer = BBC, Discovery Channel
executive_producer = Mike Gunton
presented =
narrated = David Attenborough
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country = United Kingdom
language = English
network = BBC One
first_run =
first_aired =
last_aired =
num_episodes = 10
website =
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"LIFE" is a forthcoming nature documentary series currently in production at the BBC Natural History Unit and due to be broadcast on BBC One in 2009. The series is being filmed entirely in high-definition and will comprise 10 sixty-minute episodes. According to "The Times", it has a budget of GBP10 million,cite news| url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article1329349.ece |title=Is anyone a natural to replace Attenborough? |date=February 5, 2007 |publisher="The Times"] though this has not been confirmed by the BBC. It was the first series commissioned by the then controller of BBC One, Peter Fincham, just weeks after he took up the post in March 2005. [cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/peter-fincham-the-reluctant-controversialist-457166.html |title=Peter Fincham: The reluctant controversialist |date=July 14, 2007 |publisher="The Independent"] In April 2008, the BBC announced a co-production deal on three major series with Greek broadcaster Skai TV, including "LIFE" and a second natural history production, "The Frozen Planet".cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2008/04_april/skai_copro.shtml |title=The SKAI’s the limit as BBC Worldwide announces co-production deal with Greek broadcaster |date=April 9, 2008 |publisher=BBC Press Office]

The executive producer of "LIFE" is Mike Gunton, and, after initially announcing that they were seeking a replacement for the veteran David Attenborough, the BBC subsequently revealed that the veteran narrator was collaborating on both this series and "The Frozen Planet". [cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/sep/21/bbc.television1 |title=Attenborough is back - again |date=September 21, 2007 |publisher="The Guardian"] Attenborough will be 83 when "LIFE" is broadcast.

2009 marks both the bicentenary of Charles Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his book "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection". To mark the occasion, "LIFE" will aim to show to the diversity of the natural world and unusual animal behaviour which has enabled species to survive. Sequences already filmed include flocking red knots and horseshoe crabs in Delaware Bay, USA [cite web|url=http://ironammonitetravel.blogspot.com/2008/05/im-currently-in-delaware-bay-filming.html |title=Filming horseshoe crabs, Delaware Bay |date=May 25, 2008 |publisher=The Outer Whorl: Travel and Adventure] , cheetah in northern Kenya collaborating to hunt an unusual prey species [cite web|url=http://www.simonkingwildlife.com/diary/DiaryMarch-April07.pdf|title=Diary: March-April 07 |date=April 2007 |publisher=Simon King Wildlife] and a 20-strong group of Komodo dragons attacking a buffalo at a watering hole on the island of Rinca, Indonesia. [cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1025349/Should-really-scared-Kimodo-dragon.html|title=Should we really be scared of the Komodo dragon? |date=June 10, 2008 |publisher="Daily Mail"] Eagles and reindeer have also been filmed in the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area in Finnish Lapland. [cite web|url=http://www.arcticcentre.org/?deptid=25528|title=Publications of ARKTIS PhD Students in 2007 |publisher=www.arcticcentre.org |accessdate=2008-06-18] .

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