ITV

Tag: BBC Worldwide

  • BBC Worldwide holding showcase for global buyers in the UK

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide’s trade event BBC Showcase is taking place in Brighton England till 1 March 2007. 560 buyers from all over the globe are in attendance. The annual event sees BBC Worldwide generate programme sales and broker international funding deals for co productions on behalf of the BBC, other UK networks and independent producers.

    Delegate numbers the BBC says have grown as buyers from traditional television networks are increasingly joined by a new generation of buyers looking to license content for digital media platforms such as mobile television, independent video on demand services and digital extensions to traditional television networks.

    The past year has seen BBC Worldwide secure content deals around the world with major digital media platforms across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas, including Vodafone, Orange, T-Online, Telstra, ONO, Netflix, Amazon US, Hanaromedia Korea and Telefonica. Combined with strong growth in traditional programme sales, these new markets for content are seeing BBC Worldwide’s Global TV Sales division well on target to make around £190million (US$370million) this financial year, up from last year’s £171million (US$333million).

    BBC Worldwide Global TV sales MD Mark Young, said, “We secure the best deal for our content and this involves a much wider number of viewing platforms in each ter-ritory than previously. Traditional television platforms remain a central part of our business, but there is a great deal of room to embrace new platforms alongside them. Viewing habits are changing and our business is changing with them.”

    In line with the increasing digitisation and convergence of its client base, BBC Worldwide is taking steps to future-proof its content and delivery capabilities. Already, over 1,000 hours of programming has been digitised and BBC Worldwide is now investing heavily in digitising all current and back catalogue in order to protect quality, improve delivery across a wider range of devices and move towards a tapeless business.

  • BBC Worldwide sells show to CCTV

    BBC Worldwide sells show to CCTV

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC’s commercial arm BBC Worldwide has sold the show Charlie and Lola to CCTV, the Chinese national broadcaster.

    The pre-school animation show will follow in the footsteps of the Teletubbies to become the second BBC Worldwide children’s programme to be shown in the country.

    The show features seven-year-old Charlie and his small, feisty and very funny sister Lola, will be renamed ‘Cha Li Yu Lao La’ for broadcast on CCTV – The Children’s Channel.

    BBC Worldwide MD global TV sales Mark Young said, “With Teletubbies now well established in China, we are very excited to launch a second major children’s brand into the territory. The universal appeal of Charlie and Lola has captured the imagination of children around the world and we are certain that Cha Li and Lao La will be equally captivating to children across China.”

    The series combines 2D CelAction animation, paper cut-out, fabric design, real textures, photomontage and archive footage to bring the distinctive style and exuberance of British author, Lauren Child’s award-winning books to life.

    BBC Worldwide has now licensed the distinctive animation to 34 international broadcasters as well as selling over 1 million TV tie-in books and 200,000 DVDs.

  • BBC Worldwide takes first format to China

    BBC Worldwide takes first format to China

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC’s commercial arm BBC Worldwide has licensed the singing talent show format, Just the Two of Us, to Chinese terrestrial broadcaster, Hunan Television. The deal was initiated and brokered by BBC Worldwide’s Hong Kong office and marks the first time a BBC Worldwide format will appear on Chinese television.

    Announcing the deal, BBC Worldwide Director of Content and Production, Wayne Garvie, said, “This is very exciting news for BBC Worldwide and for British production generally. Hunan Television is currently the home of China’s most popular television talent series and enjoys a viewership of hundreds of millions. To secure a place for a BBC format here is a great window for British television talent and an opportunity to build on our strong and positive relationships with Chinese broadcasters.”

    Just the Two of Us will launch on Hunan Television this month and will broadcast weekly. The series follows on from the successful talent series, Super Girl, which last year generated almost 400 million viewers for its final.

    BBC Worldwide has also licensed Just The Two of Us in Australia, Russia, Ukraine and Belgium, with more territories in development.

  • Unilever marketing chief Simon Clift to join BBC Worldwide board

    Unilever marketing chief Simon Clift to join BBC Worldwide board

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC’s commercial arm BBC WOrldwide has announced that Simon Clift, Unilever’s global chief marketing officer has joined its board as a non-executive director.

    His appointment is a further step in BBC Worldwide’s move to ensure both greater transparency in its governance and an even broader range of expertise at senior level.

    BBC Worldwide CEO John Smith said: “Simon’s extensive experience in marketing and in building brands around the world will provide a great resource for BBC Worldwide to draw on as it moves ahead with its current growth strategy.

    “During our strategic review in 2004/5 we identified a need to be more transparent in our governance and reporting in order to ensure clearer understanding of our remit and performance. The introduction of non-executive directors is one of the steps we have taken to achieve this.

    “In addition, these directors – Etienne de Villiers, our non executive Chairman, Jana Bennett (Director of Television, BBC), Nicholas Eldred (General Counsel, BBC), Zarin Patel (Director of Finance, BBC) – and now Simon, will make rich contributions to the development of our international expansion plans.”

  • ‘Jemma Adkins’ is Head of content digital media for BBC Worldwide

    ‘Jemma Adkins’ is Head of content digital media for BBC Worldwide

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide, has announced that Jemma has joined the digital media division as Head of content.

    Earlier Adkins was handling BBC Worldwide TV sales division where she was responsible for negotiating the sale of programming in the UK and Ireland market including working with VOD services BT and Homechoice.

    Reporting to director of digital media Simon Danker, Adkins will be responsible for sourcing programming and digital content for the global digital media business which includes BBC Worldwide’s VOD and mobile offering in addition to its proposed commercial iPlayer, asserts an official release.

    Adkins will lead the development and growth of the division’s digital media content catalogue, primarily in terms of television programmes but also through the development of newly commissioned or reversioned content for mobile and online, adds the release.

    Commenting on Adkins’ appointment Danker said, “Jemma’s appointment demonstrates BBC Worldwide’s commitment to making our content available on multiple devices throughout the globe. Her experience in the TV Sales division will bring valuable experience in rights, independent relationships and knowledge of the BBC programme catalogue to her new role.”

    Adding Adkins said, “I’m delighted to join the digital media division at such an interesting time. Content is at the core of our global offering and by leading the development and growth of BBC Worldwide’s digital media content offering I aim to ensure that popular entertainment is available as and when our consumers want it.”

    BBC Worldwide Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

  • SC rejects Radio One plea to retain 92.5 FM in Mumbai

    SC rejects Radio One plea to retain 92.5 FM in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Radio One 92.5 FM will soon be beaming as Radio One 94.3 FM in Mumbai. This follows the Supreme Court’s upholding of the sector tribunal’s decision to allocate it a new common frequency.

    Radio One, managed by Radio Mid Day and BBC Worldwide, had approached the apex court last week challenging the order of the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to move it away from its 92.5 MHz frequency to a new common 92.5 MHz one.

    “We found no infirmity in the tribunal order and hence the petition (by Radio One) is dismissed,” a bench headed by Justice BN Aggarwal and Justice PP Naolekar has ruled, according to a Press Trust of India (PTI) newswire report.

    In the case, heard yesterday, the bench also rejected the company’s plea for additional time to switch over to the new frequency of 94.3 FM in Mumbai.

    The radio company had earlier moved TDSAT arguing that allocation of a new frequency would hamper the business as the frequency 92.5 FM has grown to be synonyms to its brand in Mumbai.

    Radio One had also questioned the government’s stand on granting of 92.7 frequency to the Reliance-promoted Big FM (Adlabs Radio) in Mumbai despite the norms of having a difference of at least 0.8 frequency between two stations.

    The tribunal had observed, “The importance of brand name of the broadcaster cannot be underestimated, particularly, in view of the provision in the ‘channel identity’ clause which talks of brand name of the broadcaster. Frequency is not part of the brand name of the petitioner. The petitioner got its brand name changed, which was not objected to by the government. Petitioner’s (Radio Mid Day) popularity is through its brand name. It cannot insist on having a particular frequency number.”

    A point of note is also that though Radio One challenged its being moved to the 94.3 FM frequency, it is already broadcasting on this freqeuncy in Bangalore and Delhi.

    TDSAT had responded by asserting that nobody (as in a rival station) stood to gain anything from Radio Mid Day being shifted to another frequency. Rather it is in the interest of Radio Mid Day that it will have same frequency i.e. 94.3 FM for all the cities for which it has a broadcasting licence (except Ahmedabad for which the petitioner makes no grievance), the tribunal pointed out.

  • BBC Worldwide sells two kids shows across the globe

    BBC Worldwide sells two kids shows across the globe

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide has announced a string of international sales for two of its key children’s programmes – The Secret Show and Charlie and Lola.

    The commercial arm of the BBC has licensed new animation show The Secret Show to broadcasters in France, Hong Kong, Finland, Russia and the Middle East – bringing the total to 13. It will also start airing on Virgin transatlantic flights from 1 December 2006.

    Aimed at 7-12 year olds, The Secret Show is about secret people doing secret things. Special agents Victor Volt and Anita Knight work for U.Z.Z, protecting the world against the evil forces of T.H.E.M. Managed by a boss whose name is quite literally ‘Changed Daily’, and assisted on their madcap missions by insane scientist Professor Professor, Victor and Anita manage to save the world – or large parts of it – once or sometimes even twice a week.

    Charlie and Lola which is based on the books by Lauren Child, has just been licensed to 3 new broadcasters – IRIB in Iran, TVB in Hong Kong and Playhouse Disney in Spain. The pre-school animation, which is a mix of 2D CelAction animation, paper cutout, fabric design, real textures, photomontage and archive footage, has now been sold to 33 countries.

    Snow Queen was sold to Al Jazeera’s children’s channel and World of Peter Rabbit & Friends and Tale of Peter Rabbit & Beatrix Potter were sold to Momo TV in Taiwan.

  • BBC Worldwide takes ‘Dancing With The Stars’ on the road in the US

    BBC Worldwide takes ‘Dancing With The Stars’ on the road in the US

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster ABC’s dance based reality show Dancing With The Stars is hitting the road. The show’s producer BBC Worldwide Productions, is to take thw show on the road by partnering with AEG Live partner for a tour throughout the US.

    The tour is scheduled to kick-off in San Diego, California on 19 December 2006 and will take its final bow in Atlantic City, on 11 February, 2007. Attracting an average audience of more than 19 million viewers, Dancing With the Stars currently ranks among the Top 5 most-watched shows on all of US television, also qualifying as the TV’s No. 1 unscripted program.

    The team hitting the road includes the on air season one’s Joey McIntyre & Kym Johnson, Season Two winners Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke, Lisa Rinna & Louis Van Amstel, Season Three’s Joey Lawrence & Edyta Sliwinska, Willa Ford & Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Harry Hamlin and Karina Smirnoff.

    The two hour show will feature a larger-than-life recreation of the TV show’s actual stage with an intimate nightclub style table seating on the floor allowing fans unparalleled sightlines and access to all of the action. As with the network show there will be a live orchestra to accompany the dances with popular modern day songs that have become a much loved aspect of the program.

    BBC Worldwide Programming & Production senior VP Paul Telegdy says, “The tour gives us an unprecedented opportunity to evolve the Dancing brand. As the current number one network show it is evident that our next step should be to take Dancing on the road. The production qualities of the television show are undoubtedly a key component to its success and we are confident that our partnership with AEG Live, will ensure The Tour will mirror this high standard that the public rightly associate with the brand.”

    Dancing with the Stars – The Tour will be choreographed by Louis Van Amstel with Carrie Ann Inaba serving as the show’s creative director. The live show will feature celebrity group and solo dances along with sets from the professional dancers. In addition, the show will feature two huge video screens to the left and right of the stage that will feature never-before-scene rehearsal footage and exclusive behind the scenes interviews and outtakes as well as many surprise extras.

  • BBC Worldwide signs deal with Australia’s Seven Network

    BBC Worldwide signs deal with Australia’s Seven Network

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide Australasia has concluded a new deal with the Seven Network in Australia to license Michael Palin’s new travel series Palin’s New Europe. In addition, a raft of drama and factual programming has been acquired by broadcasters in New Zealand, through agreements signed in the run up to MIPCOM. Palin’s New Europe which will air on BBC One in the UK next year, follows the ex-Python as he explores 21 countries such as Bosnia, Albania, Moldova and Macedonia. BBC Worldwide Australasia’s sales manager Amber Knight says, “Michael Palin has that rare combination of integrity, wit and bravery which makes all his programs such hits. We are very excited to be bringing this program to Seven.” Seven Network’s director of programming and production Tim Worner says, “Australians are renowned travellers – as a youngster it is a virtual rite of passage and you always seem to bump into fellow Australians in the most far flung locations. Michael Palin captures that spirit in his very own way and we at Seven look forward to being able to have him take Australian audiences to places they have never been before. “Palin is the pre-eminent television travel communicator of his time – in his company you do not just see; you taste, you smell, you experience. And, above all, he makes it fun – that’s why we’re proud he’s coming to Seven.” A package of returning series has been licensed to New Zealand’s TVNZ including key titles from Kudos productions such as Hustle Series 4, and Life on Mars Series 2. TV One has taken series two of Clerkenwell Films’ Afterlife, as well as Hotel Babylon (Carnival Films), Waterloo Road (Shed Productions) and Bodies (Hat Trick Productions).

  • BBC Worldwide to co-produce a show in China for the first time

    BBC Worldwide to co-produce a show in China for the first time

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s commercial arm has announced its first ever co-production in China. The natural history series Wild China will see a partnership between the BBC’s Natural History Unit and China Television Media (CTV), the production arm of Chinese state broadcaster, CCTV.

    Delivering in March 2008 to coincide with the Beijing Olympics, Wild China explores the natural history of one of the world’s most mysterious and diverse countries. The six-part series will mark the culmination of the BBC Natural History Unit’s Continents Series.

    CTV’s partnership with the BBC Worldwide gives the joint production team access to some of the China’s remotest reaches and most visually stunning scenery. Shot entirely in High Definition, Wild China will take viewers on a journey through the diverse landscapes of China, including the ancient Han kingdom, the Mongol steppes and Uygur desert, the Silk Road, and the Tibetan Plateau.

    BBC Worldwide MD global television sales Mark Young said, “We are excited and honoured to be working so closely with China Television Media on this landmark partnership. The Wild China production team’s unparalleled access throughout China during this production will provide a unique window into some of the planet’s most captivating terrains.”

    CTV GM Gao Xiaoping said, “The BBC is world renowned for its leadership in natural history production. We are delighted to work together and bring the world a new view of China’s beautiful landscapes and fascinating wildlife before the 2008 Olympic Games.”

    The show’s executive producer Brian Leith said, “China is one of the last great frontiers for wildlife television: a more or less unknown – yet vast – country. We’re very excited to be filming in some of the most remote regions of this wonderful country – and we think Wild China will bring some fabulous and dramatic revelations. I’ve learned that China is never what you expect it to be.”

    Wild China is a BBC / CTV / Travel Channel co-production in association with Canal+.