David Attenborough on a shoot for The Trials of Life in Wales in 1998 Nick Upton/Nature Picture Library/Alamy
David Attenborough is inarguably one of the UK’s national institutions. He consistently tops polls for the most popular and trustworthy celebrity in the country. There will never be another broadcaster quite like him – but that’s OK.
Attenborough, who turns 100 on 8 May, began his career in nature broadcasting in 1954 with , in which staff from London Zoo went to tropical countries to capture exotic animals and return them to the UK. It was very much a product of its time, but so was Attenborough. He was at the forefront of a new medium (only a third of UK households had a TV when Zoo Quest was first broadcast) and defined the template for nature documentaries, most notably with his 1979 series.
People often ask who might replace him, but the truth is, the niche that allowed him to evolve – a dominant broadcaster in the BBC and a cohesive culture enforced by a lack of choice in viewing material – no longer exists. Instead, the rise of social media has seen a Cambrian explosion in science communicators, each adapting to their environment.
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The truth is, the niche that allowed Attenborough to evolve no longer exists
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There are pros and cons to this. From TikTok to YouTube to podcasts, we are now able to find a format that works for us, freed from a linear TV schedule. A far more diverse range of voices have been able to flourish, and people who are turned off by Attenborough (even if they don’t want to admit it in polite company) have many more presenters to choose from.
But this fragmentation also has its downsides. TV editors no longer determine what we see on our screens. They have been replaced by algorithms that often reward dopamine quick-hits rather than more in-depth work. While many science creators are a stickler for facts, like Attenborough, misinformation can also bloom unchecked. Plus, with no one ever watching quite the same thing, we have lost part of our shared culture.
Thankfully, Attenborough’s programmes remain available today, with many still as relevant as ever. Check out this round-up of our favourites, and pick something to watch in celebration of his centenary.
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