Television Time: BBC Shows – June 2021

In the month of June, BBC Earth puts a spotlight on the fragility of our environment and what we can do to save it. In this special three-part series as part of BBC’s Our Planet Now programme about the environment, Greta Thunberg: A Year To Change The World follows the highly-influential 18-year-old Swedish environmentalist as she takes a year off from school to travel around the world to experience first-hand the devastating impacts to the environment and, together with scientists and economists, seeks to make an impact on climate change. 

Australia’s smash hit kids’ series Bluey launches on CBeebies, This multi award-winning animation follows six-year-old Bluey, a Blue Heeler dog, and her family as they embark on fun-filled adventures in their everyday life together with her friends and community. Focusing on positive outcomes of imaginative play, celebrating the positive father figure, and embracing evolving roles of parenting, this series has captured the heart of millions around the world of all ages. This series also became the top kids’ show in Australia, especially reaching the number one spot on multiple music charts with Bluey: The Album soundtrack.

Ever since its inception in 2012 and amassing millions of viewers, multiple award-winning period drama Call The Midwife returns to screens with its tenth series on BBC First. Taking place in 1966, the midwives and nuns face more challenges as they navigate their lives in Poplar, but not without encountering significant events such as the women’s rights movement and the World Cup.   

Take notes from Irish cook and food writer Donal Skehan and reconnect with your family through BBC Lifestyle’s Donal’s Family Food in Minutes as he whips up easy but still delicious meals and shares tips on the different recipes for those on the go to romantic dinners for two.

BBC Earth

Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change The World 

Premieres 5th June, Saturday at 8:05pm, on StarHub channel 407 and BBC Player

Greta Thunberg has one of the most powerful voices on the planet – when she speaks even presidents respond. But Greta doesn’t want people to listen to her, she wants them to listen to the science. This series follows Greta on her year off school, as she embarked on an incredible journey that took her across the Atlantic twice in a sailboat, bought her face to face with world leaders and propelled her to become an inspiration to millions. It’s an intimate behind-the-scenes view of Greta’s world as she comes of age. As her year unfolds so does the story of what is happening to our planet and what we can do about it. Leading climate scientists that Greta meets along the way reveal the dramatic changes happening to the planet right now.

Animal Einsteins

Premieres 18th June, Friday at 8:05pm, on StarHub channel 407 and BBC Player

Meet awesome animals and discover the surprising skills helping them to thrive out in the wild. From the birds who sing to their eggs to get a head start on teaching their young to the flamingos with their own special friends and the dung beetles who use the Milky Way for orientation, new research is showing animals may be more intelligent than we ever imagined. Each episode meets animals who’ve mastered a different skill, from masterminds to social networkers, con artists to communicators.

Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline 

Premieres 5th June, Saturday at 9:10pm, on StarHub channel 407 and BBC Player

Climate change is testing human ingenuity to the limits. In many parts of the world, it’s already too late for prevention. This remarkable series asks: what’s being done in this battle for survival, and is it working? Ade Adepitan travels to the frontline of the battle against climate change. He meets the ordinary people facing rising sea levels, drought, and forest fires, to see how they’re fighting to save their way of life and adapt to their new world. And he meets scientists and tech entrepreneurs searching for solutions.

Food Factory Series 6

Premieres 8th June, Monday to Friday at 7:10pm & 7:35pm, on StarHub channel 407 and BBC Player

Behind each bag of chips, can of beer, bar of chocolate, and loaf of bread is a mega-industrial production line that brings each product to the masses. Food Factory is a mesmerising behind-the-scenes peek into the weird and wonderful processes that produce everyone’s favourite foods.

Prince William: A Planet For Us All

Premieres 26th June, Saturday at 8:05pm, on StarHub channel 407 and BBC Player.

With a firm belief in a better future for our youth, The Duke of Cambridge sets out on a mission to advocate for the natural world and highlight the pioneering work of many local and global heroes. Featuring exclusive footage spanning over two years, Prince William: A Planet for Us All takes us on a journey around the world, highlighting various environmental conservation efforts in communities across Africa, Asia, and the United Kingdom.Growing up, The Duke of Cambridge always had a deep connection with the natural world, a passion he now shares with his children. Inspired by fatherhood, he has gained a different outlook on life, one that drives his will to continue The Royal Family’s advocacy and support towards the protection of the Earth.

BBC Lifestyle

Donal’s Family Food in Minutes

Premieres 7th June, Monday at 7:00pm, on StarHub channel 432 and BBC Player

With his natural charm, Donal is serving up simple, crowd-pleasing meals and snacks designed around his hectic family life which will fit easily into yours. With two young children and a busy work schedule, Donal is an expert at coming up with creative, seasonal recipes that keep the pressure off him and his wife, Sofie.

He shows us fantastic recipes for spectacular Sunday roasts; time-saving tips and hacks for when you’re in a rush; easily freezable bulk meals; special dinners for two and much more. Cooking should be enjoyable, and Donal takes us through recipes that are uniquely important to him, as he gives us a glimpse into his family life in LA, and reminiscences about his upbringing in Ireland through archive footage and clips from his hugely popular YouTube channel. Inspired by his own family kitchen, this is a cookery show with more than a pinch of soul.

Grand Designs Series 18

Premieres 22nd June, Tuesday at 9:15pm, on StarHub channel 432 and BBC Player

The BAFTA-winning show is back with Kevin McCloud once again at the helm. The host meets homeowners and discusses their building or renovation plans, following the build throughout the entire process.

CBeebies

Bluey Series 1 Set 1

Premieres 14th June, Mondays to Fridays at 6:50pm, on StarHub channel 303 and BBC Player

This funny and honest look at modern family life celebrates how imaginative play helps shape healthy children. Australian blue heeler puppy Bluey has a boundless imagination and loves to turn daily life into playful adventures. She and little sister Bingo throw themselves into exploring their world, using gameplay to conquer their fears and try out adult roles. And they like nothing more than pulling their parents – particularly Dad – into their fun and games. Mum Chilli’s gone back to work and Dad Bandit juggles childcare with working from home. But though he might think he’s in charge, the girls are definitely calling the shots when it comes to playtime – and pretty much everything else!

JoJo & Gran Gran Set 4

Premieres 4th June, Mondays to Fridays at 6:35pm, on StarHub channel 303 and BBC Player

A delightful and heartwarming animated series celebrating the special relationship between an inquisitive girl and her fun and active Grandmother. Join JoJo and Gran Gran in their bustling London neighbourhood as they find joy in the everyday – from baking a cake to catching the bus and visiting the hairdressers for the first time. JoJo adores spending time with her energetic Gran Gran, who is always ready with a ‘Gran Gran Plan’ when JoJo comes to visit. This is a series about love, family and community. In each episode, there’s a short live action segment featuring real children taking part in a practical activity that mirrors the animated story.

BBC First

Call The Midwife Series 10

Premieres Friday, 25th June, on StarHub channel 502 and BBC Player

The return of the multi-award-winning drama, which regularly draws audiences of over 10 million. It’s 1966, and it’s a testing time for the midwives. But there’s excitement, too, as the women’s rights movement intensifies. With Trixie’s help, Sister Julienne is determined to steer Nonnatus House out of its financial quandary. Dr Turner deals with an array of difficult cases including a former soldier involved in nuclear test explosions. Meanwhile, Sister Monica Joan experiences a crisis of faith, and Sister Frances realises she needs to be a little less spiritual if she’s to really connect with the local women. There are some interesting challenges ahead, as well as great celebrations when England wins the World Cup.

The Luminaries

Premieres Friday, 11th June, on StarHub channel 502 and BBC Player

The Luminaries is a stylish, intricately woven drama set on the wild west coast of New Zealand’s South Island during the height of the 1860s gold rush. Adapted from the critically-acclaimed, Booker Prize-winning novel by Eleanor Catton, this female-led series follows two women whose lives become intertwined through betrayal, deception, blackmail and murder. We meet Anna as she arrives in New Zealand in search of a new life among the pioneers vying to make their fortunes. A chance encounter with the handsome Emery on her voyage sparks great expectations, but these star-crossed lovers are destined to be thwarted by scheming Lydia, as Anna falls into a complex web of deceit and ends up fighting for her freedom. Faced with her destiny and her desires, she must ask whether we make our fortunes, or our fortune make us.