Discovery Channel is teaming with six top recording artists to share stories of the animal kingdom.
Beginning July 9, the channel will debut a six-part, family-friendly series, aptly titled Hello World!, which will take a closer look at the wonders of the natural world through the narration and music of familiar faces: Christina Aguilera, Usher, Ellie Goulding, Joan Jett, Dave Matthews and Steven Tyler. The series, which is being made in association with the World Wildlife Fund, is produced by RadicalMedia and will air two back-to-back episodes for three consecutive weeks.
“All of these artists bring a powerful love for wildlife and the environment, and we cannot wait to share these films with families across the world,” said Rich Ross, group president of Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Science Channel, with Terry Macko, senior vp communications and marketing at WWF, adding: “As we’re faced daily with news and information about the declining state of our natural world, this series brings a hopeful message that bridges generations to inspire conservationists of any age.”
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Usher’s episode, for instance, will feature his song “Stronger” as a backdrop as a sea turtle and red fox demonstrate how adversity makes them more resilient. “Not many people may know of my strong affinity for animals and nature,” he said in a statement. “Hello World! gave me an opportunity to not only look cool to my boys, but also help introduce a new and modern way of learning about the world and the animals living within it.”
Aguilera’s episode, which uses her song “Light Up the Sky,” showcases the strategies of strong maternal caregivers including a mountain goat and a cheetah. Noted the artist: “I was thrilled when I was asked to come aboard to be part of Hello World! as I had never done voiceover work prior and the experience was amazing.”
The others include Goulding’s episode, which will uncover the great (and humorous) lengths that some animals go to to attract a mate with with her hit “Something in the Way You Move” as the soundtrack. Matthews’ installment, “Save Me,” follows the stories of three different species — rhinos, spadefoot toads and manatees — as they search for the fresh water on which all life on Earth depends. Tyler’s “Red, White & You” provides a backdrop to the Summer Wild episode, which will show how several North American critters — prairie dogs, hawks and wild mustangs — like to spend their summer vacation. And Jett’s “Bad Reputation,” which features the hit song of the same name, centers on animals that get a bad rap.
