On Thin Ice

Through the Homeland of Ice and Storms

2025

In 1989, the German polar explorer Arved Fuchs and the South Tyrolean mountaineer Reinhold Messner set out together to reach the South Pole on skis without sled dogs or motor technology and then cross the entire Antarctic. There are problems right from the start because the onward transport to the starting point by plane cannot be carried out on time. Finally, the adventurers set off from Patriot Hills Base Camp on the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf to the Pole. The completely different character traits of the two men quickly emerge. Messner is impetuous and pushes for speed. The calm Fuchs divides his strength and consistently follows his pace during all planned breaks. On New Year's Eve 1989, the two men are warmly welcomed by the crew of the US Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. But the much larger and more dangerous part of their adventurous continental crossing still lies ahead of them. The 3-part documentary shows one of the last great adventures of modern times in impressive pictures.

Blizzard: Race to the Pole

2025

Series following the reconstruction of British explorer Robert Falcon Scott's epic, but ill-fated, trek to the South Pole in 1911

Shackleton: Death or Glory

2025

This series follows a modern expedition that re-creates Sir Ernest Shackleton's trans-Antarctic expedition, which launched in 1914. The series joins a crew of five intrepid explorers, led by renowned adventurer, scientist, and author Tim Jarvis, as they duplicate Shackleton's epic sea-and-land voyage in a replica of the original explorer's lifeboat.

Guardians of the Antarctic

2025

Documentary series aimed at understanding the jobs of the "Ice Rangers": these men and women who manage the practical aspects of the Princess Elisabeth polar station on a daily basis. What drives them to the idea of coming to isolate themselves on this basis? How do they manage to manage their emotions and their private lives? This daily life will be juxtaposed with scientific missions and challenges and, therefore, more universal questions to understand why it is important to continue research in this white continent and what challenges for tomorrow this represents at the planetary and climatic level.

Helen's Polar Challenge for Sport Relief

2025

Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton makes an epic 500-mile journey to the South Pole by kite, by ski and - in a world first - by bike, to raise awareness for Sport Relief.

Tears of Antarctica

2025

The Funny Chef of South Polar

2025

The Japanese 38th South Pole research expedition team are at the Dome base. Located 1,000 km away from the main Showa base at an altitude of 3,800 m, it is called the most inhospitable place on earth with an average temperature of -54 deg Celsius. No living thing or even a virus can survive in such an environment. Three of the seven-member expedition team are researchers and the remaining four are support personnel. However, they are common men who have to live together in the confined space of the Dome base for one year.

Pingu

2025

Playful penguin Pingu lives with his family in Antarctica, where he often finds himself caught up in mischievous high jinks with his pal Robby.

The Head

2025

In an isolated and inaccessible Antarctic research station in which winter has fallen on the South Pole and the sun will soon disappear for the next six months, a small team, known as the Winterers, remain at the Polaris VI Antarctic Research Station to continue their innovative research. Renowned biologist Arthur Wilde is determined to find a solution to climate change, but his quest turns into a nightmare when several of his esteemed scientists suddenly begin to die.

Shackleton

2025

The true story of Ernest Shackleton's 1914 Endurance expedition to the the South Pole and his epic struggle to lead his crew to safety after his ship was crushed in the pack ice.

A Place Further Than the Universe

2025

Scenery that we have never seen. Sounds that we have never heard. Scent that we have never smelled. Food that we have never tasted. And the surge of emotion that we have never experienced. This is the expedition of recollecting the pieces torn apart and sensation left alone. When we reach that place, what will we think? Howling, 40 degree angle. Raging, 50 degree angle. Shouting, 60 degree angle. A wilderness beyond the heavy sea. The furthest south, far from civilization. At the top of the Earth. We will find lights through the girls' eyes to live tomorrow.

The Last Place on Earth

2025

The Last Place on Earth is a 1985 Central Television seven part serial, written by Trevor Griffiths based on the book Scott and Amundsen by Roland Huntford. The book is an exploration of the expeditions of Captain Robert F. Scott and his Norwegian rival in polar exploration, Roald Amundsen in their attempts to reach the South Pole. The series ran for seven episodes and starred a wide range of UK and Norwegian character actors as well as featuring some famous names, such as Max von Sydow, Richard Wilson, Sylvester McCoy and Pat Roach. It also featured performances early in their careers by Bill Nighy and Hugh Grant. Subsequently Huntford's book was republished under the same name. The book put forth the point of view that Amundsen's success in reaching the South Pole was abetted by much superior planning, whereas errors by Scott ultimately resulted in the death of him and his companions.

Antarctica

2025

Set in the 1950's, a Japanese Antarctic research exploration team and 19 dogs that accompanied the team are stationed at the Showa Base in Antarctica. After a year, the exploration team is ordered to withdraw from the Antarctic station due to severe weather conditions. The dogs have to be left behind. The following year, the next team arrives at the Showa Base station and a miraculous reunion occurs between a dog handler accompanying the new tean and two dogs, Taro and Shiro, that are brothers.

Antarktika

2025

Dr. Myra Johnson is transferred to the research station Antarctica III. Shortly after her arrival, she realizes that the rest of the crew – almost all of them men – has probably been living at the South Pole for a little too long and has become somewhat out of touch with the world. And there is no sign of the station chief, whom she urgently needs to find. Myra would have every reason to leave this strange place again. But she decides to stay and leaves with the ship “Northern Star” the last chance to come home again. Due to a mysterious accident, all contact with the outside world is suddenly lost. The Antarctica III research station is completely isolated as the Arctic winter sets in. While the researchers each try to make an impression on Myra in their own individual way, no one realizes that something has been awakened by the scientific drilling in the ice that could result in the destruction of the world.

BENTO EXPO

2025

Bento, or lunchbox, is a fun slice of Japanese food culture that more people around the world are sharing. Healthy and delicious foods are beautifully and creatively presented. This NHK series features demonstrations and advice by Japanese bento experts, as well as shares some of the bento pictures and videos sent in by viewers worldwide.