BBC Monthly: December Docs, Specials and Video Selections | November 23, 2022

Coming in December 2022

Featuring voices from across the U.S. and around the globe, connect your audience to the world with these unique stories and perspectives. This month, we discover plans to prepare for first contact with extra-terrestrials, learn about pro-women’s surfing and evaluate why standing can be more tiring than walking. See below for details and more unique stories.

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Docs and Specials


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The Documentary: First Contact

One hour
Dec 17, 2022 – Jan 6, 2023

For thousands of years we have gazed up at the stars and wondered: is anybody out there? But today, thinking about meeting life on, or from, other planets is no longer dismissed as pure make-believe – it’s the focus of political consideration and cutting-edge space science. Farrah Jarral presents the story of the fantasy and the reality of preparing for first contact with extra-terrestrials.

The People Vs J Edgar Hoover

Two, one hour documentaries
Episode 1: Dec 24, 2022 – Feb 10, 2023
Episode 2: Dec 25, 2022 – Feb 11, 2023

J Edgar Hoover built then ran the FBI for almost five decades. He turned it from a bureaucratic backwater into a premier crime fighting and counterintelligence force. In the process, he arguably became America’s most powerful man. Today’s fears of a ‘deep state’ – often expressed by Donald Trump and his supporters – of unaccountable government officials working against the public in their own interest – can be traced back to J Edgar Hoover. His job was to enforce the law…but he would not always be bound by it.

The Documentary: Fighting The Waves

One hour
Dec 31, 2022 – Jan 20, 2023

Today, women’s surfing has equal prize money for men and women, and women are an accepted part of the pro-circuit. Wind the clock back 50 years and things were very different – no wetsuits designed for women, barely a sponsorship deal in sight, and undisguised chauvinism from the male surfing establishment. We bring together today’s surf stars, and yesterday’s legends, to tell the story of the first pro-women’s surf tour in 1976.


Monthly BBC Video Selections:

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People Fixing the World: The dads spreading love to stop fights in school


dad's on duty

  • Description: Dads on Duty are a team of fathers who patrol Southwood High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. They got together after more than twenty students had been arrested for fighting. With a friendly face and a few dad jokes they’ve helped to reduce the level of violence. Ben Wyatt finds out more about the initiative.
  • Suggested social copy: Dads on Duty are a team of fathers who patrol a school in the US.
  • Duration: 2 minutes 38 seconds

Why is that?: Why can standing be more tiring than walking?


Walking

  • Description: Walking takes more energy than standing still, so why isn’t it more tiring? Sports scientist Dr François-Xavier Li explains.
  • Suggested social copy: Walking takes more energy than standing still, so why isn’t it more tiring?
  • Duration: 2 minutes, 25 seconds

People Fixing the World: The Ikea-style flat-pack home for refugees


flat-pack home

  • Description: Better Shelter have made thousands of flat-pack homes for refugees around the world. Supported by the Ikea Foundation, the charity aims to improve on the canvas tents in which millions of displaced people have to live. Myra Anubi Syria finds out more.
  • Suggested social copy: A shelter for displaced people that comes in a flat-pack and takes a few hours to assemble.
  • Duration: 2 minutes 41 seconds