The Open University celebrates Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday 

Posted on 8 May 2026 • TV and radio

As Sir David Attenborough celebrates his 100th birthday today (Friday 08/05/2026), The Open University is proud to honour one of the world’s most influential broadcasters, naturalists and educators — and to celebrate a unique relationship that stretches back to the very origins of the University itself.  

Sir David has a special connection with The Open University dating back to its foundation. As Controller of BBC Two in the late 1960s, he played a pivotal role in supporting the launch of The Open University, championing the ambitious idea of using television broadcasting to widen access to higher education across the UK. BBC Two became the home of many of the University’s earliest broadcasts, helping bring university-level teaching into homes nationwide and transforming opportunities for adult learners.  

In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to broadcasting, science communication and education, Sir David Attenborough was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by The Open University in 1980  

Over the decades, The Open University and the BBC have collaborated on a wide range of landmark science and natural history programmes associated with Sir David Attenborough, helping millions of viewers engage with the natural world and the environmental challenges facing the planet.  

These collaborations have included major series such as Planet Earth III, Frozen Planet II, The Green Planet, Blue Planet II and Wild Isles, all of which combined world-leading natural history filmmaking with scientific expertise and public engagement from Open University academics. 

OU academics have contributed specialist knowledge across areas including climate science, ecology, biodiversity, conservation, animal behaviour and environmental change.  Our academic experts also co-create engaging, online content to support all OU co-productions, published on our OU/BBC partnership site OU Connect  helping audiences to explore the topics in greater depth.  

The Open University is excited to be partnering on the BBC’s special programme marking Sir David’s centenary, David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth, a major celebratory event from the Royal Albert Hall airing on BBC One and iPlayer on 8 May. Hosted by Kirsty Young, the programme reflects on Sir David’s remarkable contribution to broadcasting, conservation and public understanding of science. To mark this special occasion OU Connect is looking back over 25 years of landmark OU/BBC series with Sir David.  

Professor Dave Phoenix, Vice Chancellor at The Open University, said:  

“Sir David Attenborough has inspired generations through his extraordinary ability to bring the wonders of the natural world into people’s homes. His broadcasting has transformed public understanding of science, biodiversity and climate change, while encouraging millions to care more deeply about the future of our planet.”  

“He also occupies a unique place in The Open University’s history. His support for educational broadcasting at the BBC helped make the University’s original vision possible — opening higher education to people regardless of their background or circumstances. We are proud to celebrate his remarkable legacy and our long association with him through BBC and Open University co-productions.”  

The Open University’s continuing partnership with the BBC reflects its social mission to extend reach and engagement to inspire learning and connect people with world-leading research. Through co-productions, citizen science initiatives and free educational resources, the University continues to help audiences better understand the environment and humanity’s relationship with the natural world.  

As audiences across the UK and around the world celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, The Open University joins in recognising a lifetime dedicated to discovery, education and the protection of life on Earth.  

Picture credit: BBC Studios