A wildlife channel that specialises in showing viewers live African Safaris has successfully applied for a licence to broadcast on Freeview.
WildEarth, which is already available in the UK on some streaming platforms, was recently granted a terrestrial broadcast licence by Ofcom.
WildEarth combines daily live broadcasting, natural history programmes, expert naturalists, community and a ‘point of view’ style for what it says is “the most authentic wildlife programming anywhere”.
Among WildEarth’s daily live shows are sunrise and sunset safaris. Viewers are invited to contact the presenters, who answer queries relating to the wildlife seen on screen.
The channel has also been testing for several months on satellite, indicating a multi-platform free-to-air launch in the UK.
Receiving an Ofcom licence specifically for terrestrial broadcasting is a prerequisite for obtaining a Freeview channel number. This is subject to the broadcaster securing a carriage deal with one of the Freeview multiplex operators. Following a number of channel reshuffles earlier this year, there is currently one empty 24 hour SD Freeview slot available.
So far, neither Freeview nor WildEarth have confirmed the channel’s arrival on the terrestrial TV platform.
WildEarth is not be confused with Earthx TV, which launched on Sky and Freeview last year. Earthx TV promotes the environment and sustainability.
Marc Thornham