The BBC is reviving its iconic Tomorrow’s World brand for a year long season of TV and radio programmes exploring the worlds of science and technology.
Programmes include Britain’s Greatest Invention, a live show presented from the Science Museum Group’s stores, where the public will vote for the invention they feel has had the most influence and importance in their lives, and a new medical series, Operation, which focuses on the pioneering scientific work taking place in the operating theatres of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
Other highlights include Stephen Hawking: Expedition New Earth in which Britain’s most famous scientist will present his predictions that the human race only has one hundred years before we need to colonise another planet, and The Innovators, a new series for Radio 4 in which Sarah Montague interviews pioneers in their chosen fields of health, technology, science and the environment.
In addition, an online hub will will bring together curated content from the UK’s “most respected science institutions.”
Partnering with the broadcaster to support the season are the Science Museum Group, Wellcome, The Open University and the Royal Society.
BBC Director-General Tony Hall said: “We’ve come together behind a simple, and very bold ambition – to equip all of us with the knowledge and understanding we need to make sense of our lives and the future.
“Whether it’s the rise of robotics or the demise of antibiotics, travelling to Mars or the arrival of 3D printed food. Science is changing the world at an extraordinary pace.
“The campaign will connect audiences with the brightest minds and institutions in science and technology, producing more than 40 hours of television, a range of programmes across our radio networks, a series of podcasts, and digital offerings.”
Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum Group said: “The marriage of our world-class collections, expertise and rich programming with the BBC’s worldwide reach is a truly exciting prospect.
“The Tomorrow’s World partnership is already bearing fruit with Britain’s Greatest Inventions, a 90-minute live broadcast from our stores that will air on BBC Two.
“The BBC’s TV cameras have been granted exclusive access to our stores to explore our incredible objects and reveal the stories of some of the greatest inventions in history.”
“Public engagement is crucial to our mission to improve health for everyone and we’re delighted to be working with the BBC and our collaborators on Tomorrow’s World on a project which makes science accessible and contemporary,” said Simon Chaplin, Wellcome’s Director of Culture and Society.