BBC's Big Blue Live to be screened in Millennium Square, Bristol

The first of the new three part series from the BBC will be screened this Sunday 23 August 2015 in Millennium Square. The spectacular new show, which is actually put together in Bristol’s production studios, will be beamed out to the assembled crowd on the big screen just above the magnificent Bristol Whales art installation – quite a fitting pairing.

On Sunday 23, Thursday 27 and Sunday 30 August, head down to Millennium Square from 7-8pm and catch what promises to be a spectacular show in a very unique setting. The open air, communal atmosphere will echo the sustainable, conservation nature of the programme and provide an excellent setting for another Bristol treat. Both the programme and the event are suitable for visitors of all ages, with free entry, and looks set to be a hit.

Each year, some of the world’s most incredible marine animals, including humpback whales, dolphins, sea otters, great white sharks and even blue whales congregate off the coast of California’s Monterey Bay. This summer, Matt Baker, Liz Bonnin, Steve Backshall and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall will present this live three-part series from various settings around the bay, including the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a boat out on the bay, tracking down the whales. The majestic creatures are drawn to this area by the promise of a bounty of fish and plankton, with many of them making difficult and lengthy migrations in order to reach their goal. Unfortunately, some will be lost along the way, but for the intrepid travellers who manage to make it the feast still isn’t guaranteed. Will there be enough food to sustain those that reach their destination?

The One Show’s Matt Baker said: “I’m so excited about this. I think the BBC’s Natural History Unit is the finest in the world and combining my love of live television and bringing the outdoors into our homes, this is an adventure that I can't wait to start. It's a super team and with a cast of whales, sharks, sea otters and other amazing creatures, it'll be a thrilling watch. We will bring you everything we can during our time there and capture some incredible moments that viewers would never normally see.”

Many of the animals who make up this epic gathering were once hunted to near extinction, so it’s a real cause for celebration. Hunting has now ceased along the Californian coast and the seas are now protected. The team will look at what has been done in order to facilitate this success story and also what can be done in the future to safeguard our seas for generations to come.

Millennium Square is located at: Canons Way, Bristol BS1 5DB