EDITORIAL SERIES
PBS | Untold Earth
Scope: Nature documentary pilot + series
Deliverables: 10-min documentary shorts blending nature, science, and culture
PBS sought to refresh its approach to nature storytelling with short-form documentaries that could resonate with modern audiences while maintaining the brand’s hallmark of educational and cultural depth. The challenge: limited resources, broad concepts, and a need to quickly shape an idea into a compelling, repeatable format.
The Problem:
Studio Koa built the vision from the ground up:
Developed a pilot episode that established the creative blueprint for the series — a format that connected natural wonder with cultural and climate significance.
Chose striking locations like Iceberg Alley, Mono Lake, and Bears Lodge (Yellowstone), each offering ecological and cultural depth.
Featured a blend of voices — from scientists to Indigenous cultural leaders — ensuring both rigor and authenticity.
Delivered on a tight turnaround and lean budget, building trust and proving our ability to scale concepts into an impactful series.
Our Solution:
The pilot earned a Jackson Wild Award nomination, one of the most prestigious honors in nature filmmaking.
The series collectively generated 1.8M+ organic views on YouTube, far exceeding typical benchmarks for PBS digital nature content.
Audience feedback reflected both local pride and visitor inspiration: Native communities felt represented, while global viewers expressed new desire to experience these places.
Elevated PBS’s brand as a home for modern, culturally conscious nature documentaries — expanding its reach beyond traditional viewership.