The sequence – a huge topic on social media - was described by award-winning natural history cinematographer Jamie McPherson as “the most powerful he’s ever shot.”

McPherson was discussing the series, which launched on the streaming service on April 5, at a joint RTS-Wildscreen screening of the Frozen Worlds episode, which featured the walruses.

“The sequence has become a symbol of climate change,” said Keith Scholey, series producer of the eight-part Our Planet, which is narrated by David Attenborough.

The 2019 bursary scheme opened today for application until 30th June 2019, and for the first time not only will applications be open to individuals starting their course of study in 2019, but also to students who began their degree in 2018.

The number of bursaries offered for 2019 will increase substantially with STV funding 10 additional bursaries each year for students studying in Scotland.  

Deborah Turness, the ex-editor of ITV News who now runs Euronews in London as president of NBC News International following a spell as head of NBC News in New York, acknowledged that mainstream news outlets faced a challenge in the era of Trump and Brexit.

On both sides of the Atlantic mainstream media had failed to predict these events. There the parallels between Britain and America ended in terms of their different models of TV news provision.  

The winners were revealed at a prestigious awards ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane, which was hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen (Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown).