Global TV operator SPI International / FilmBox has acquired ten episodes of the fifth season of the underwater adventure series Blue World and the lifestyle culinary series Barinia. which will air on FunBox UHD, SPI’s Ultra HD channel and online streaming app.

Blue World  is an Emmy Award-winning underwater science/adventure programme produced and hosted by Jonathan Bird, one of the world’s top underwater nature cinematographers. In fresh water or salt, reefs, wrecks or caves, Jonathan documents the world beneath the waves. The episodes encompass a variety of subjects, including stories about animals, marine research and researchers, underwater exploration and recent discoveries. The stories always have an underwater theme and feature stunning underwater photography captured in native Ultra HD. SPI acquired worldwide rights to the series from Big Media, a leading worldwide content producer and distributor of docs/factual, wildlife, and travel/lifestyle series.

As SPI has been expanding its UHD library, the company also acquired worldwide rights to Barinia, a cultural adventure across Southern Europe and Eastern Turkey, celebrating the customs and traditions of these rarely seen destinations.

The series presents tales from the classic yacht Barinia and its family – Patrick, Narelle and their dog Shadow. This is a love affair with a way of life that has afforded them deep connections to the local dwellers of these seaside communities.  In the face of modernity and rapid change, Patrick and Narelle give a voice to the local characters and a quest to preserve their meaning through precious traditions.

“We are thrilled to enhance the programming on FunBox UHD channel with the Blue World series from Big Media Holdings and Barinia series from Escapade Media,” said Berk Uziyel, executive director of SPI/Filmbox.  “This highly entertaining content will make watching our channel an unforgettable experience for the premium viewer who appreciates quality programmes.”