MUMBAI: BBC Showcase, which claims to be the world’s largest television programme market hosted by a single distributor, begins in Brighton next weekend. 500 TV programme executives are expected to attend the event.
Buyers from around the globe will represent more than 100 broadcasters in over 80 countries. Representatives from broadcasters attending for the first time include Nigeria (Proudly Africa Media), Georgia (TVR), Croatia (RTL), Estonia (Estonia TV) and Ukraine (ICTV).
BBC Worldwide deputy CEO Mike Phillips said, “BBC Showcase has become an essential date in the international TV calendar. The number of delegates attending each year illustrates the continued support of our broadcasting partners around the world and the magnitude of the BBC brand. The BBC is unique in that it’s the only broadcaster capable of providing such variety and quality of programming.”
Delegates will be treated to an array of BBC premieres and special events including a gala night of dinner and dancing, celebrating the global success of BBC’s format Strictly Come Dancing. Local versions of this format are in production in Russia, Poland and Italy.
BBC Worldwide will unveil more than 600 hours of programming at the market, from across the BBC’s drama, entertainment, comedy, factual and children’s genres, including Sherlock Holmes, The Smoking Room, Timewatch, Genghis Khan, The Iceman Murder, Kidnapped and the groundbreaking Planet Earth.