This news comes among other budget cuts announced by the BBC as part of its ‘evolving commissioning strategy,’ with a savings plan aiming to save £500m across the corporation over the next two years. Other cancelled programmes include Radio 4’s The World Tonight.
Winterwatch launched 14 years ago as a spin-off to other iconic seasonal nature programmes – Springwatch and Autumnwatch, which premiered in 2004 and 2005, respectively. The most recent series was hosted by Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams.
Each winter, four live episodes were released, focusing on UK wildlife and the challenges it faces during the colder months. In 2026, the show premiered in late January on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It also headed to a new location – the National Trust’s Mount Stewart on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down.
After Autumnwatch was cancelled in 2023, Springwatch remains the only one of ‘The Watches’ on air – set to continue as normal, returning in May 2027.
Winterwatch is being replaced by a new weekly video podcast with the working title Naturewatch, which will highlight British wildlife across all four seasons. It’s set to premiere this autumn.
Jack Bootle, BBC head of commissioning said: “Nature never stops – and neither should we. Every week, Naturewatch will give Springwatch fans – and all wildlife lovers – a new way to stay connected to the natural world, whether that’s on TV, iPlayer or Sounds.
“The BBC is committed to celebrating British nature across all our platforms, and we hope this new series will encourage audiences to fall in love with the natural world around them.
“By expanding the Watches brand, we are making the BBC’s brilliant Natural History content even more accessible.”
Top image: presenters Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams. Credit: BBC/Jo Charlesworth
