BBC SUMMER SHOWCASE: BBC Knowledge's upcoming South African programming includes crocodiles; the history of Britain and the world.

BBC Worldwide Channels which runs the TV channels BBC Entertainment, BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies on MultiChoice's DStv in South Africa unveiled it's upcoming summer programming at its next BBC Showcase upfront held this past Tuesday in Johannesburg.

Jon Farrar, the vice president for programming for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for BBC Worldwide Channels, took attendees through the various channel's upcoming line-up. The Downton Abbey stars Robert James Collier (Thomas) and Sophie McShera (Daisy) visiting South Africa were present during the showcase.

The BBC Showcase was only for Johannesburg press, TV critics from Cape Town and Durban were neither invited, nor in advance told about it.


ALSO READ: BBC Summer Showcase SA 2013: BBC Entertainment
ALSO READ: BBC Summer Showcase SA 2013: BBC Lifestyle

BBC Worldwide Channels and Jon Farrar unveiled new programming for BBC Knowledge (DStv 184) for the upcoming few months:


The British, coming soon
An epic adventure through the ages. Gripping drama reconstruction, the latest CGI, stunning cinematography, amazing time-lapse and aerial footage offer a fresh take on how Britain took shape. The British is a big, ambitious and gripping series about the history of the British Isles from Stonehenge to World War Two, the Roman occupation to the discovery of penicillin. This seven part series is both popular and important. It's content-rich enough to satisfy the most passionate history buffs, enticing for those who are interested in British history but don't know that much about it, and dramatically exciting for a generation used to feature films and computer games. This is a new approach to the story of Britain: energetic and bold, modern, inclusive and, above all, surprising. A new kind of landmark television: adventurous and pleasurable, and crammed with astonishing facts and new ideas.

A Nutopia production for Sky Atlantic Distributed by BBC Worldwide


Africa,coming soon
A landmark new five-part series from the BBC's world-renowned Natural History Unit. From exploding insects to lizards that hunt on the back of lions, the series will reveal never before seen impressions of the world's wildest continent and celebrates the extraordinary wildlife and majestic landscapes of the great continent of Africa. Narrated by the world's best known natural history film-maker Sir David Attenborough, the series uses the latest in filming technology to explore previously unseen landscapes – from Angola to Mozambique and Libya to Sudan. From hidden jungles and ice-blue glaciers to erupting volcanoes and lakes of poison, the team explores an astonishing array of previously unknown places and discovers bizarre new creatures and behaviours.

A BBC Natural History Unit Production for BBC


Embarrassing Bodies, series 2, January 2013

This innovative medical series attempts to raise health awareness and de-stigmatise "embarrassing" body parts and medical conditions. The UK-based doctors Christian Jessen and Pixie McKenna leave their surgeries and take to the road with doctor Priya Manickavasagar and leading cosmetic dentist Dr James Russell in a bid to rid the British public of their niggling health concerns.
A Maverick Television Production


The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler, coming soon

Changing the world through war and suffering, how did a man such as Hitler dominate a nation of people?Historian Laurence Rees reveals the reasons behind "the great dictator's unlikely appeal in this fascinating film series The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler: Leading Millions into the Abyss.


Reagan, Tuesday, 6 November, 21:00

This fascinating feature-length film examines the astonishing career of the former screen idol and US president who is now considered one of the architects of the modern world – Ronald Reagan. Reagan takes a definitive look at America's 40thpresident and traces his meteoric rise from B-movie actor to General Electric salesman to California Governor to the most powerful man in the world. With unique access to those who worked with him and knew him best including former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
A Charlotte Street Films production for BBC and HBO


History of the World, coming soon

The definitive account of human civilisation, filmed on location in South Africa and covering the crucial turning points in human history. This series brings 70 000 years of human history to life, telling the big stories of history. It is a human story of people, their civilisations, cultures, successes and crashing failures, a story that charts progress and development and change through the centuries. From the early settlers in Mesopotamia to the wonders of Babylon and Egypt, and from the French Revolution to the Industrial Revolution, viewers can step within history; shoulder to shoulder with the people who have shaped the world as we know it today.
A BBC/Discovery Channel/Open University co-production


Secret Life of Crocodiles with Ben Fogle, Sunday, 9 December, 19:00
In this documentary, viewers can follow passionate environmentalist and wildlife ambassador Ben as he joins groundbreaking researchers who swim with crocodiles in Africa and Australia, to get a remarkable insight into their underwater world.
A Spun Gold production for BBC



BBC Knowledge also has the following new seasons of returning TV shows:

Secret Millionaire UK S7/USA S3
Undercover Boss S4
World's Most Dangerous Road S2
Richard Hammond's Crash Course S2
Bang Goes The Theory S5
New Louis Theroux