ITV

Tag: TV Sales business

  • BBC hopes to launch channel in China

    BBC hopes to launch channel in China

    MUMBAI: Three years after it was given the unceremonious heave-ho for “infringing” state broadcasting rules, BBC is eyeing a return to China with the launch of its channel.

    Representatives from BBC Worldwide, the corporation’s commercial arm, are to visit China this summer with plans for a television channel. The corporations’ focus is on international expansion plans as the commercial unit announced record profits of £55 million for 2004/05, a year on year increase of 50 per cent.

    International expansion of both the channels and TV sales business is a crucial part of the corporation’s plans. BBC Worldwide chief executive and chief operating officer John Smith will head a team of between five and 10 senior Worldwide executives hoping to start discussions with several joint venture partners as well as the Chinese government in August, informs media reports.

    The division, which operates international channels including BBC America, BBC Kids in Canada and the BBC Food channel in the Middle East and Africa, is keen to look at other territories. China is on the list of the countries where channel expansion is on the agenda, according to a media report.

    A kids channel in the US has, however, been mentioned previously by Simth as one possibility. BBC Worldwide will be announcing the appointment of a new managing director of global channels some time soon.

    According to a media report, Smith said that he was “pretty confident” of meeting his target to double profits from £37m last year to £74m next year.

    But relations with the Chinese authorities have been at times strained over the corporation’s coverage of news events.

    In 1994, Rupert Murdoch attempted to appease the Chinese government by removing BBC World from his Star satellite platform in the country, after dissatisfaction was expressed at BBC coverage of the Tiananmen Square massacre.

    In 2002, the Chinese International Television Corporation temporarily ejected BBC World from the Sinosat 1 satellite service on the basis of unfavourable reports on the Falun Gong spiritual movement.

  • BBC Worldwide profits up 50 per cent

    BBC Worldwide profits up 50 per cent

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide the commercial arm of the BBC has published its Annual Review for 2004/05.

    It has announced record profits of £55 million for 2004/05, a year on year increase of 50%. Sales increased by seven per cent to £706 million and cash flow to the BBC was up by £4 million to a new high of £145 million.

    Following a strategic review and reorganisation, the company now operates six businesses: TV channels, TV sales, magazines, home e4ntertainment, Children’s products and new media. Both through its own operations, and via joint ventures, it seeks to drive commercial benefit from rights and content on behalf of the BBC.

    The TV Sales business saw profits of £31.7 million. Sales were up from £167.7 million to £171 million. 40,000 programme hours were sold. Relationships with independent production companies continued to flourish and, following the new Terms of Trade, output deals with key independents were struck, including with Endemol UK and Hat Trick Productions.

    During the year BBC Worldwide acquired the rights to distribute ITV-commissioned and Channel 4-commissioned programmes made by independent production companies for the first time. In the future the business aims to become the distributor of choice for UK programme producers

    BBC Worldwide CEO John Smith said, “This has been a key year for BBC Worldwide and the company has delivered excellent results. We have completed a reorganisation, made some board changes, begun to develop a new strategy, and are now halfway towards the target of doubling profits over 24 months. The cash we returned to the BBC from both profits and direct investment into programming was also a record £145 million.

    “The BBC’s review of commercial activities last year has ended, and we now have a clear understanding of our role, scope and objectives, and of BBC Worldwide’s relationship with the BBC. The contributions offered by a wide range of external contacts were very useful, and we have acted to address major concerns by, for example, selling the women’s magazine eve and stopping the trailing of magazines on BBC television.”

    As far as BBC Magazines is concerned the company had announced a joint venture with Times of India’s magazine subsidiary. Thuis will enable BBC titles to be launched in India. Eight new international editions of BBC Top Gear were licensed, and future growth in overseas activities is expected. BBC magazines’ circulation went up by eight per cent.

    BBC targetting Chinese channel: Meanwhile A executives from BBC Worldwide will visit China with plans for a television channel there. A repotr in The Guardian notes that the BBC has had a strained relationship with the Chinese authorities over its news reporting in the past. The corporation is also planning to launch a new children’s channel in the US.

    The division is also looking to license its books and learning division. Possible partners include media and education group Pearson.