BBC natural history series Hidden Kingdom is to be produced in 3D as part of the broadcaster’s two-year examination of stereoscopic technology.

Co-produced by the BBC’s Natural History Unit and German broadcaster RTL, Hidden Kingdom, which is already in production, takes a microscopic look at nature in the Amazon rainforest, African Savannah and Mojave Desert.

It will be produced as a 3 x 60-minute series along with a 50-minute 3D single.

According to BBC head of 3D Kim Shillinglaw: “There are a number of challenging issues capturing 2D and 3D simultaneously in a natural history environment that we wanted to look at - namely that you cannot plan for every aspect of wildlife movement.”

She added: “The production is developing bespoke camera solutions that will break new ground to capture the behaviour of very small creatures in macro photography.”

The BBC’s wider 3D trial included Last Night Of The Proms in September.

It is also in production on sitcom Mr Stink, with the adaptation of David Walliams’ children’s book slated for simultaneous transmission at Christmas on BBC1, and in 3D on the broadcaster’s HD channel.

The BBC is also examining the possibility of distributing Mr Stink on iPlayer.

“We are seeing whether we can make it available as a download,” said Shillinglaw.

“It’s interesting to try to push what we can do with 3D on iPlayer as we look ahead to a more connected TV world.”

Topics