Success of NBC’s Nature Documentary Series “The Americas”
In January 2020, NBC made a significant announcement regarding its latest natural history series, The Americas. At that time, the network’s streaming service, Peacock, was still under development. Despite multiple leadership changes within NBC’s entertainment division over the years, The Americas has remained a consistent priority, successfully hitting the airwaves five years after its initial greenlight.
This captivating documentary, produced by the esteemed BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit—famous for acclaimed titles like Planet Earth and Prehistoric Planet—and narrated by the legendary Tom Hanks, has enjoyed impressive viewership both domestically and internationally. With an average audience of 5.5 million viewers on NBC, it has become the most-watched nature documentary on linear television in the past 15 years. Notably, NBCUniversal reports that an estimated 56 million global viewers have tuned in to watch at least a snippet of the series.
Celebrating the Achievements
The executives behind the project, Toby Gorman, president of Universal Television Alternative Studio, and Shelby Shaftel, senior vice president of alternative programming at NBCUniversal Entertainment, are now taking a moment to relish the success that has emerged from their steadfast commitment over the five-year production period. Looking forward, they’re excited about the potential for further endeavors within the realm of natural history programming.
In an inspiring conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Shaftel shared how the series resonates with families, stating, “You know that you have something special when you start getting texts from all kinds of different people in your lives… They’re watching with their whole families, and that’s really special. That’s what we do this for, and to know people are watching and connecting with it, it’s the best.”
The Genesis of an Unconventional Series
The development of The Americas showcases a blend of vision and strategy. Reflecting on the project’s early days, Shaftel remarked on the foresight involved: “We knew this type of programming does very well on broadcast in the U.K., and we know that people here are used to seeing these shows on streaming… So we thought, let’s greenlight it for broadcast.” This approach allowed NBC to deliver content that not only catered to American audiences but also had global distribution capabilities, setting the stage for future streaming on Peacock.
Gorman, who joined NBCU shortly before the project was greenlit, recounted his first exposure to the series during a visit to the production team in Bristol, England. He described how early screenings astonished him, leading to his immediate communication with company leadership about the project’s potential. “It’s been incredible to be part of something this expansive…,” he stated, emphasizing the transformative journey the series has undergone.
Tom Hanks: A Collaborator Like No Other
Securing Tom Hanks as the series narrator proved to be an early goal. Gorman shared insights into this process, noting the approach taken with Hanks’ representatives, which highlighted the show’s ambition without the benefit of any footage initially. “I think it was two days later… they said, he loves it,” Gorman recalled, noting Hanks’ prior experience with nature documentaries, which ultimately facilitated a swift agreement.
Shaftel added that they capitalized on Hanks’ enthusiasm by connecting him with Mike Gunton, the executive producer and creative director of the BBC Natural History Unit. This collaboration blossomed into a fruitful working relationship, and the two even filmed a digital series featuring their interactions, illustrating the warmth and camaraderie fostered during production.
Narrative Style and Creative Input
The craft of narration in documentary filmmaking can make a significant impact on viewer engagement. Gorman emphasized the importance of aligning the voice of the narration with that of Hanks, ultimately focusing on an entertaining, conversational tone that distinguishes The Americas from other productions like Planet Earth. “We knew that the way to connect people’s hearts was through storytelling,” noted Shaftel, reinforcing their strategic narrative choices which aim to immerse viewers in the experience.
Future Prospects and New Projects
With the series exceeding their expectations, discussions are already underway about a potential second season. Gorman candidly expressed his excitement about the future, while acknowledging the long timelines involved in such productions. “If we’re lucky enough to go again, it’s not something people would see for a few years,” he explained.
Shaftel revealed that they have been working on another project entitled Surviving Earth, which is nearing completion. This new series will utilize CGI to delve into the planet’s history and highlight the cataclysms that shaped life on Earth, indicating a willingness to explore diverse approaches within the natural history genre.
As they both emphasized, making natural history content can engage audiences across generations—a hallmark of NBC’s programming philosophy. As Gorman noted enthusiastically, “It’s done so well internationally… I’m getting texts from my parents and my extended family saying how much they love it.” With the success of The Americas, NBC clearly positions itself for continued exploration and innovation in the realm of nature documentaries.
Austin Hargrave/NBC
Maarten de Boer and Universal Studio Group; NBCUniversal