How Earth Made Us

7:30pm Tuesday, September 18 on Prime

Documentary Series

So far, this series has looked at how four geological forces have shaped human history. In this final episode we explore a completely new force; humans. It’s easy to think of our impact on the planet as a negative one, but as we discover, this isn’t always the case. But it is clear that today we have unprecedented control over many of the planet’s geological cycles. The question is how will we use this power?

7:30pm Monday, September 10 on Prime

Documentary Series

Fire

Tonight, man’s relationship with fire is explored. We begin by embarking on an extraordinary encounter with this terrifying force of nature – a walk right through the heart of a raging fire. Fire has long been our main source of energy and we show how this meant that the planet played a crucial role in Britain’s industrial revolution, whilst holding China’s development back. Along the way we dive in a mysterious lake in Oregon, climb a glacier of salt, crawl through an extraordinary cave in Iran and take a therapeutic bath in crude oil.

7:30pm Monday, September 3 on Prime

Documentary Series

Wind

Tonight’s episode sets sail on one of the fastest racing boats ever built to explore the story of our turbulent relationship with the wind. Travelling to iconic locations including the Sahara desert, the coast of West Africa and the South Pacific, we discover how people have exploited the power of the wind for thousands of years. The wind is a force which at first sight appears chaotic. But the patterns that lie within the atmosphere have shaped the destiny of continents, and lie at the heart of some of the greatest turning points in human history.

7:30pm Monday, August 27 on Prime

Documentary Series

Water

In this episode, we explore our complex relationship with water. Throughout history, success has depended on our ability to adapt to and control constantly shifting sources of water. Visiting spectacular locations in Iceland, the Middle East and India, we look at how control over water has been central to human existence. We take a precarious flight in a motorised paraglider to experience the cycle of freshwater that we depend on, discover how villagers in the foothills of the Himalayas have built a living bridge to cope with the monsoon, and visit Egypt to reveal the secret of the Pharaohs’ success.

7:30pm Monday, August 20 on Prime

Documentary Series

Deep Earth

The first episode explores the relationship between the deep Earth and the development of human civilisation, visiting an extraordinary crystal cave in Mexico, dropping down a hole in the Iranian desert and crawling through seven thousand year old tunnels in Israel. The exploration reveals that throughout history our ancestors were strangely drawn to fault lines; areas which connect the surface with the deep interior of the planet. These fault lines gave access to important resources, but also brought with them great danger.

LIVING – Sundays from 1 April, 8.30pm

The traditional interpretation of history has focused largely on human factors. Yet the planet has also shaped history since the dawn of time – but how, and to what extent? This series reveals for the first time on television how geology, geography and climate have had a far more powerful influence on mankind than has previously been acknowledged. With passionate storytelling, bold ideas and extraordinary HD camerawork, this engaging and visually stunning series offers a new and original version of human history. Discover how the forces of the planet have shaped everything from the birth of agriculture to the industrial revolution. Visiting some of the most iconic locations in human history, How Earth Made Us overturns preconceptions about our nations and our cultures to offer a new perspective on who we are today.

8:35pm Friday, July 15 on Prime

Documentary Series

Fire

Tonight we explore man’s relationship with fire. We begin by embarking on an extraordinary encounter with this terrifying force of nature – a walk right through the heart of a raging fire. Fire has long been our main source of energy and we show how this meant that the planet played a crucial role in Britain’s industrial revolution, whilst holding China’s development back. Along the way we dive in a mysterious lake in Oregon, climb a glacier of salt, crawl through an extraordinary cave in Iran and take a therapeutic bath in crude oil.

8:35pm Friday, July 8 on Prime

Documentary Series

Wind

Tonight we set sail on one of the fastest racing boats ever built as we explore the story of our turbulent relationship with the wind. Travelling to iconic locations including the Sahara desert, the coast of West Africa and the South Pacific, we discover how people have exploited the power of the wind for thousands of years. The wind is a force which at first sight appears chaotic. But the patterns that lie within the atmosphere have shaped the destiny of continents, and lie at the heart of some of the greatest turning points in human history.

Prime’s 2011 season launch includes more from their steady accumulation of programming assets that has helped the channel to successive years of 30%+ growth and unlike TV2, there are new local shows on the cards.  You probably won’t be seeing much of that NZ On Air logo at the ends of their credits either.

New Shows
Strikeback

Cops LAC

Killing Time

Running Wilde

Phoneshop

Got to Dance

Life – David Attenborough

How Earth Made Us

Blitz Street

Boardwalk Empire

Going Postal

The Storm

The Kennedys

Heart and Soul

Last Chance to See: White Rhino

Electric Dreams

Monty Halls’ Great Island Escape

Nazi Hunters 

Country House Rescue

River Cottage Everyday

Junior Masterchef Australia

Rick Stein: Food for the Italian Opera

The Big Food Fight

Three Hungry Boys

Top Gear USA

Rev

New Local Shows
The Grand Tour – Jeremy Wells
Shocking Reminder – Christchurch Earthquake
Shearing Gangs 

Returning Shows
Sea Patrol
Stargate Universe
Doctor Who
Miss Marple
Lewis
True Blood
Being Human
Weeds 
A Touch of Frost
Midsomer Murders 
Prime Rocks 
Top Gear
Top Gear Australia 
Recruits
Secret Millionaire
Prime News
The Crowd Goes Wild
Deal or No Deal
Antiques Roadshow
Man vs Wild
Bondi Vet
Bondi Rescue
America’s Got Talent
Australia’s Got Talent
Q.I.
Rugby: Internationals/Super 15/ ITM Cup
Rugby League
Cricket