Sky1, PBS chase Typhoon Haiyan answers

UK satellite channel Sky1 HD and US pubcaster PBS are to get a documentary charting the destruction Typhoon Haiyan unleashed on the Philippines last month.

Typhoon Haiyan: Eye of the Storm will combine footage from several news teams on the ground in the Philippines, expert testimony from leading scientists, and first-person accounts from survivors.

Sky1 stablemate Sky Vision Productions is producing the 1x60mins doc for the UK market and is coproducing the US version with PBS science production unit NOVA. Producer Dick Bower (Hurricane Sandy, Raising the Concordia) is also attached.

The production team is the same that produced Superstorm Sandy for History Channel in the US last year.

Sky Vision has worldwide distribution rights and is working on presales ahead of delivery tomorrow. The doc debuts on Sky1 on Wednesday (December 11).

Danny Tipping, executive producer and head of programming and development at Sky Vision said: “There is a growing demand for fast-turnaround documentaries from international broadcasters. This programme will provide an opportunity to hear first-hand from the world’s leading storm scientists, about their insights and assessment on how Typhoon Haiyan formed, why it turned out so deadly and what it means for the future.”