Sir David Attenborough could be the most viewed creature on Earth after BBC figures revealed 80 million viewers watched the new Blue Planet series in China alone.
And the programme was downloaded so many times by Chinese viewers it slowed down the country's internet connection.
Despite the Asian country's authoritarian regime, which stunts the growth of environmental movements, Sir David's show, which carries a key message of the threat humans pose to our oceans, has become a massive success.
Sir David Attenborough 'becomes most viewed creature on Earth' as Blue Planet II becomes such a big hit in China it even slows country's Internet
BBC figures revealed around 80 million viewers watched Blue Planet II in China
It was downloaded so many times it slowed the country's internet connection
In Britain, the first two programmes have each attracted around 14m viewers
By Keiran Southern For Mailonline
12 November 2017
The new BBC natural history series has been a big hit in China and around the world
Sir David Attenborough could be the most viewed creature on Earth after BBC figures revealed 80 million viewers watched the new Blue Planet series in China alone.
And the programme was downloaded so many times by Chinese viewers it slowed down the country's internet connection.
Despite the Asian country's authoritarian regime, which stunts the growth of environmental movements, Sir David's show, which carries a key message of the threat humans pose to our oceans, has become a massive success.
Sir David Attenborough, 91, could be the most viewed creature on Earth after BBC figures revealed 80 million viewers watched the new Blue Planet series in China alone
Blue Planet II was downloaded so many times in China it actually slowed the country's internet connection down
Viewers took to Weibo, a Chinese social media website similar to Twitter, to share their enjoyment of the show, according to The Sunday Times.
Muhou Jun, a film blogger from Beijing with a following of four million, said: 'I watched with my mouth hanging open.
'Blue Planet contains a profound humanistic appeal to protect our environment.'
And Fankucha Zhendi, also of Beijing and with 1.4 million followers, wrote: 'I've been crying all the time... it's just so beautiful.'
The stunning success of Blue Planet means it could overtake the BBC's other exports in the popularity stakes, including Luther, Sherlock and Doctor Who.
Kelvin Yau, BBC Worldwide's manager for China, told The Sunday Times Blue Planet II was attracting families who sit down together to watch it.
He said: 'With the fast growth of cities, many Chinese, especially younger generations, want to reconnect with the natural world.'
The figure of 80 million includes the 24 million viewers who watched the first two episodes in China, plus those who tuned in for the prequel and extended trailers.
In Britain, the first two programmes have each attracted around 14 million viewers.
Tonight's episode of Blue Planet II will reveal fish could be more intelligent than we have given them credit for after coral grouper were filmed working with an octopus to catch their prey.
Episode three of Blue Planet II - Coral Reefs - will air on BBC One tonight at 8pm.
Read more: Blue Planet II so big in China it slows their internet | Daily Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
And the programme was downloaded so many times by Chinese viewers it slowed down the country's internet connection.
Despite the Asian country's authoritarian regime, which stunts the growth of environmental movements, Sir David's show, which carries a key message of the threat humans pose to our oceans, has become a massive success.
Sir David Attenborough 'becomes most viewed creature on Earth' as Blue Planet II becomes such a big hit in China it even slows country's Internet
BBC figures revealed around 80 million viewers watched Blue Planet II in China
It was downloaded so many times it slowed the country's internet connection
In Britain, the first two programmes have each attracted around 14m viewers
By Keiran Southern For Mailonline
12 November 2017
The new BBC natural history series has been a big hit in China and around the world
Sir David Attenborough could be the most viewed creature on Earth after BBC figures revealed 80 million viewers watched the new Blue Planet series in China alone.
And the programme was downloaded so many times by Chinese viewers it slowed down the country's internet connection.
Despite the Asian country's authoritarian regime, which stunts the growth of environmental movements, Sir David's show, which carries a key message of the threat humans pose to our oceans, has become a massive success.
Sir David Attenborough, 91, could be the most viewed creature on Earth after BBC figures revealed 80 million viewers watched the new Blue Planet series in China alone
Blue Planet II was downloaded so many times in China it actually slowed the country's internet connection down
Viewers took to Weibo, a Chinese social media website similar to Twitter, to share their enjoyment of the show, according to The Sunday Times.
Muhou Jun, a film blogger from Beijing with a following of four million, said: 'I watched with my mouth hanging open.
'Blue Planet contains a profound humanistic appeal to protect our environment.'
And Fankucha Zhendi, also of Beijing and with 1.4 million followers, wrote: 'I've been crying all the time... it's just so beautiful.'
The stunning success of Blue Planet means it could overtake the BBC's other exports in the popularity stakes, including Luther, Sherlock and Doctor Who.
Kelvin Yau, BBC Worldwide's manager for China, told The Sunday Times Blue Planet II was attracting families who sit down together to watch it.
He said: 'With the fast growth of cities, many Chinese, especially younger generations, want to reconnect with the natural world.'
The figure of 80 million includes the 24 million viewers who watched the first two episodes in China, plus those who tuned in for the prequel and extended trailers.
In Britain, the first two programmes have each attracted around 14 million viewers.
Tonight's episode of Blue Planet II will reveal fish could be more intelligent than we have given them credit for after coral grouper were filmed working with an octopus to catch their prey.
Episode three of Blue Planet II - Coral Reefs - will air on BBC One tonight at 8pm.
Read more: Blue Planet II so big in China it slows their internet | Daily Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Last edited:
