Club Benefits
Few wildlife documentaries carry as much weight as "Life on Earth", the 1979 landmark series that changed natural history TV and helped cement David Attenborough's status as a global broadcasting icon. It was filmed over three years in 40 countries, featured more than 600 species and was watched by an estimated 500 million people worldwide.
You can watch "Making Life on Earth" online from anywhere with a VPN (try risk-free) – and potentially for free.
"Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure" is a one-off documentary rather than a series. In the U.K., it aired on BBC One on Sunday, May 3 at 8 p.m. BST.
• WATCH FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• U.S. — PBS
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
"Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure" revisits that huge production with new interviews from Attenborough and members of the original team, focusing on the technical ambition, the logistical chaos and the moments when the whole thing nearly fell apart.
The documentary also digs into some of the stories viewers never saw at the time, including the crew being shot at in Rwanda, navigating a coup in the Comoros and facing threats from Saddam Hussein's army in Iraq. It also returns to the famous mountain gorilla encounter that became one of the defining images of Attenborough's career.
As part of the BBC's wider slate of programming for Sir David's 100th birthday, this one-off special looks like essential viewing for long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Can I watch 'Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure' for free?
Yes. BBC iPlayer are broadcasting "Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure" for free to the U.K. public.
All you need is a BBC account with a British postcode and a valid TV license.
Abroad? Unlock BBC iPlayer with NordVPN — more on that below.
Watch 'Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure' from anywhere
If you're traveling and can't access your usual streaming service, a VPN can make it look like you're back in your home country, so you can log in to the platforms you already use. NordVPN is the option we recommended, and it works across a wide range of devices.
Using a VPN is simple.
1. Install the VPN app on the device you’ll watch on. NordVPN is our pick.
2. Connect to a server in your home country. For example, choose a UK server to access BBC iPlayer while abroad.
3. Open your streaming app and play as normal.
Watch 'Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure' in the U.K.
In the U.K., "Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure" premiered on BBC One on Sunday, May 3 at 8 p.m. BST. The documentary is now available to view for free on BBC iPlayer.
If you’re temporarily outside the U.K., you’ll likely need a VPN to access BBC iPlayer just as you would at home. For this setup, we recommend NordVPN.
Watch 'Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure' in the U.S.
In the U.S., "Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure" premieres on PBS on Wednesday, May 6 at 8 p.m. ET. It will also stream at the same time on PBS.org and the PBS App.
If you’re a Brit in the States for work or on holiday and would rather stick with your usual U.K. streaming setup, you can still watch via BBC iPlayer by using a VPN such as NordVPN. Just connect to a U.K. server, then open BBC iPlayer as you normally would.
Watch 'Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure' in Canada
There is no confirmed Canadian broadcaster for "Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure". We recommend checking local PBS access through participating providers or local BBC Earth listings, but an official Canadian date has not been announced.
If you’re a Brit in the Great White North for work or on holiday and would prefer to stick with your usual U.K. streaming setup, you can watch via your normal services by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Watch 'Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure' in Australia
There is no confirmed Australian broadcaster for "Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure". ABC iview and SBS On Demand are possible homes for Attenborough programming, but no official release date has been confirmed for this documentary.
If you’re a Brit working or on holiday Down Under and want to keep using your usual U.K. streaming services, you can still catch the show with a VPN like NordVPN.
'Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure' trailer
When is 'Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure' out?
"Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure" aired in the U.K. on Sunday, May 3 at 8 p.m. BST on BBC One, and is now available on BBC iPlayer. In the U.S., it premieres on Wednesday, May 6 at 8 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS App.
What is 'Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure' about?
"Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure" goes behind the scenes of the 1979 series "Life on Earth", revisiting the production's scale, risks and legacy through new interviews with Attenborough and the original team.
Is 'Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure' a series?
No. "Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure" is a single documentary film.
Is 'Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure' a series?
Yes. The documentary is part of the BBC's programming marking Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday, alongside other specials airing across the same week.
More from Tom's Guide
- How to watch Premier League live streams from anywhere
- How to watch 'Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere'
- Top 10 Netflix shows this week
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
