CGTN acquires BBC documentary, Drowning in Plastic, will show it worldwide during April in its Big Story current affairs programming strand.

China Global Television Network (CGTN) (DStv 409 / StarSat 266) has acquired the BBC documentary, Drowning in Plastic, that will be broadcast in April on China's TV news channel.

Drowning in Plastic was broadcast on the BBC's BBC One channel in the United Kingdom last year.

CGTN acquired Drowing in Plastic from All3Media International for international broadcast outside of the United Kingdom.

Drowning in Plastic will be shown in April as part of CGTN's Big Story strand covering news and current affairs.

In Drowning in Plastic, wildlife biologist Liz Bonnin works with some of the world's leading marine biologists and campaigners to discover the true dangers of one of the biggest environmental disasters of our time – marine plastic pollution.

Ma Jing, CGTN America director-general, in a statement says "Our collaborations with partners that tell stories from varied viewpoints across varied genres not only set us apart, but allow us to delve into different subject matter from multiple angles".

"As such, we are positioned to tell the planet's most powerful stories in a thoughtful, nuanced manner. This story, which is as complex as it is universal, exemplifies that."

Maria Ishak, vice president of sales for North America at all3media international, says "We're very pleased to sign this first major deal with CGTN".

"CGTN's commitment to a worldwide acquisition and global premiere is testament to the vital importance of the documentary. Drowning in Plastic delivers essential viewing for everyone on our planet and we're in ongoing discussions with more broadcasters eager to highlight the truth behind this major environmental crisis to their audience."

BBC to follow-up David Attenborough's Blue Planet II on BBC Earth with programmes looking at how ocean plastic and clothing manufacture are impacting nature, and animal dynasties.

The BBC is following up Sir David Attenborough's Blue Planet II oceanographic series coming to Africa's viewers from next month on BBC Earth (DStv 184) with further documentary programmes looking at how plastic is killing the oceans, a shocking expose about clothing, and wildlife "dynasties".

The BBC commissioned Drowning in Plastic as as 90-minute documentary with presenter Liz Bonnin who will look at the shocking impact plastic in the sea is having on the world, travelling to horrific “plastic hot spots” to show viewers first-hand what all forms of plastics is doing to sealife along shorelines and in the open sea.

The Truth About What You Wear with presenter Stacey Dooley will examine the connections between fashion, modern-day clothing manufacture and rainforest deforestation, water contamination and pollution, in addition to the threats posed to endangered animal species like orangutans and jaguars.

Dynasty will be the BBC's new signature wildlife documentary TV series that will look at groups of lions, African hunting dogs, chimpanzees, tigers and emperor penguins and how they create "dynasties" and groups as family packs.

The BBC has also commissioned Spy in the Wild II for 2019 using cameras to travel with various animals on their migration journeys, as well as Equator from the Air, looking at the Earth's equator region from above.

Blue Planet II has been scheduled to start on BBC Earth (DStv 184) on Sunday 4 February at 16:00.