‘The Americas’ Proves A Resurgent Trend In Nature Conservation

Tom Hanks narrating NBC’s The Americas certainly didn’t hurt the nature conservation docuseries, which found massive popularity. The resurgence of interest in awareness about the planet is interesting. 15 years ago, conservation of the environment wasn’t an easy sell. So, what happened? Read on to find out.

The Popular Docuseries

This weekend, Deadline reported that “The Americas” was “the most-watched nature documentary on linear television in more than 15 years.” The interest was high and probably sparked because wildlife producer, Mike Gunton, identified an area that was largely uncovered.

The 10-episode docuseries that premiered on February 23, ran through to April 13, and wrapped with a special on how it was made on April 20. The series covered North and South America, featuring amazing environments and equally amazing wildlife. The success can be attributed to the docuseries’ focus. Gunton said that rather than broad genres like “lions,” he went in close on “individual character stories” with a variety of animals.

Catering To New Trends 

There always was a niche interest in nature and wildlife, starting in the late 70s with David Attenborough. But the rise of streaming TV boosted interest among viewers. In the past, many people were aware of rhinos being poached. There was more widespread supportive interest in the anti-trophy hunting campaign. And of course, The Lion King sparked more interest in wildlife. 

However, 2025 is different. Apart from the narration by Tom Hanks, there has been a sustained rise in information about nature conservation. Whether you agree with climate change or not, the subject received massive mainstream coverage. 

Other Reasons For A Rising Interest

The advent of AI and the way Google search produces trending topics has swung away from being solely based on search engine optimization. These days, the focus is on quality of life, education, and fostering interests outside of people seeking five minutes of fame. 

Over the period spanning from 2010 to April 2025, several factors could have amplified public attention towards nature conservation. Coverage of major ecological catastrophes and the publication of scientific findings during this time brought environmental issues into the public consciousness.

Furthermore, important new conservation laws and global environmental accords could have also increased the prominence of this topic. Certainly, it seems that the engagement by ordinary people could be fueled by increased activism and awareness of the impact human activities have on nature.

Big Voices For Nature Conservation.

The impact of endorsements from prominent figures like Tom Hanks on The Americas adds to the way people react to the subject.  If you didn’t watch the NBC show, you can still stream it on Peacock, Amazon Prime,  Apple TV, and more.

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