Recently, NBC launched its highly anticipated nature docuseries, The Americas, which quickly captivated audiences and broke viewership records. The series, which premiered on February 23, 2025, drew a remarkable combined 15 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, and other platforms. This impressive figure marked NBC's most-watched Sunday night of entertainment programming in nearly six years, solidifying The Americas as a significant player among nature documentaries.
The Americas features ten episodes, showcasing the diverse wildlife and ecosystems of North and South America, narrated by actor Tom Hanks and scored by renowned composer Hans Zimmer. The show takes its viewers on breathtaking journeys across picturesque landscapes, highlighting the splendor of everything from the Atlantic coast to the Amazon rainforest. The series was produced by Mike Gunton, who is known for his work on acclaimed documentaries such as Planet Earth II and Dynasties.
For its premiere, The Americas aired alongside other new shows, such as Suits LA and Grosse Pointe Garden Society, both of which also saw substantial viewership. Suits LA attracted 4.7 million viewers, and Grosse Pointe Garden Society garnered 3.3 million viewers, as reported by Nielsen live-plus-three-day figures. Both series showed significant increases in delayed viewing, indicating strong audience interest and engagement.
One of the pivotal aspects of The Americas is its groundbreaking filming techniques, which have led many viewers to question whether the extraordinary visuals seen on screen are generated by AI or CGI. The show’s producers, including those at the BBC who co-produced The Americas, assure audiences the incredible footage is authentic, captured through dedicated efforts over more than 180 expeditions. "The footage captured by The Americas crew is not generated by AI or CGI. Instead, it’s the fruit of more than 180 expeditions to some of the most hostile and gorgeous places on Earth," noted BBC representatives.
The commitment of the crew to showcase these natural wonders is evident, as the filming involved extensive travels to remote locations, utilizing advanced technology. The series employs about 35 different camera models, enabling filmmakers to document wildlife behavior and environmental features with stunning detail. From drone footage soaring high above the Amazon canopy to underwater shots with rebreathers, the crew has truly pushed the limits of traditional nature filming.
Upcoming episodes of The Americas promise to continue this trend of extraordinary visuals and storytelling. Audiences can look forward to themed installments focusing on regions such as the Wild West and the Frozen North. The episodes “The Wild West” and “The Amazon” are set to air on March 2, 2025, with each episode running just over 40 minutes. These will explore iconic landscapes and unique wildlife, and draw viewers closer to the stories of the creatures inhabiting them.
The ambitious scope of The Americas is highlighted by its promise to reveal previously unknown behaviors, detailed across its ten episodes. "For the first time, the Americas stars in its own incomparable series, using cutting-edge technology to reveal wonders and secrets of the world’s greatest supercontinent," Gunton explained during the series’ promotion. The dedication to showcasing the “extraordinary” was clearly purposeful, as the project was five years in the making and aimed at informing audiences globally about the fragility of ecosystems.
Significantly, NBC has crafted The Americas to resonate deeply with viewers, encouraging not just emotional connections with the wildlife but also awareness about conservation efforts. People tuning in can expect to encounter content reflecting the world's various habitats, the challenges they face, and the adorable creatures who call them home. Future episodes will be made available for streaming on Peacock, allowing for wider access and encouraging on-demand views.
Whether you are driven by moments of wonder or sheer curiosity about enigmatic ecosystems, The Americas serves as both entertainment and education. The docuseries explores the biological wealth of nature across the American continents. Audiences have already begun to recognize its potential impact, contributing to discussions about environmental awareness and the importance of preserving our planet's biodiversity.
Fans of nature documentaries will find themselves utterly immersed not just due to the iconic voices of Hanks and Zimmer, but also because of the show’s commitment to exploring North and South America's oft-overlooked wildlife and ecosystems. With each episode, The Americas invites viewers to appreciate the beauty of the planet they inhabit, encouraging them to cherish and protect it. Each stunning visual and rich narrative reinforces why nature documentaries like this fascinate and inspire cross-generational audiences.