BBC Worldwide launches BBC Entertainment & CBeebies

BBC Worldwide launches BBC Entertainment & CBeebies

BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, today announced the launch of BBC Entertainment and CBeebies – two brand new channels from BBC Global Channels. The two 12-hour channels launch first on Tata-Sky’s DTH platform, with BBC Entertainment on air at 6pm local time today and the dual-language CBeebies channel, from 6am local time on 2 May.

The channels will showcase the very best original programming from the BBC and other British production houses – from award-winning dramas and innovative comedy on BBC Entertainment, to informative, educational and internationally-respected children’s properties on the pre-school channel, CBeebies.

The new channels CBeebies is a pre-school channel for children aged six years and under. Broadcasting in both Hindi and English, the channel’s programme schedule consists of the entertaining, trusted and interactive series seen on the UK’s own number one children’s CBeebies channel.
Acclaimed children’s properties such as The Roly Mo Show, Bill and Ben, Tweenies, Tikkabilla, Big Cook Little Cook and Boogie Beebies are immensely popular with pre-school children in the UK, and the channel provides kids with a safe haven in which to learn about and enjoy the world around them.

Speaking on the children’s channel, Christine Leo-McKerrow, Senior Vice President, Global Channels, Asia-Pacific, said, “With its bright colours, friendly and familiar characters and interactive content, CBeebies is a dependable environment for children, and encourages them to learn through play.”

She added, “I am confident the channel will be loved by parents and carers for its learning values and the trusted stamp of the BBC brand.”

CBeebies will broadcast from 6am to 6pm on Tata Sky channel number 607.

BBC Entertainment premieres Britain’s most talked-about hit series, including dramas and thrillers such as Doctor Who, Waking The Dead, Cutting It, Hotel Babylon, Silent Witness, Spooks and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. The channel also showcases the UK’s finest and most innovative comedy series, including Extras, My Life In Film and My Family. BBC Entertainment will broadcast on Tata Sky channel number 205 from 6pm to 6am.

Christine Leo-McKerrow said, “BBC Entertainment promises high quality entertainment with first class production values. The wealth of outstanding programming available on the channel will make BBC Entertainment the channel of choice for discerning Indian audiences who have a taste for premium quality television.”

Darren Childs, Managing Director, BBC Global Channels, said of the launch, “The economic growth in India has been explosive with the media and entertainment industries playing an integral part. Recent research reveals that India’s DTH operators will top Japan’s next year, that India will lead the Asian cable market by 2010, and that the region will be the most lucrative pay-TV market by 2015. BBC Worldwide aims to play a vital role in the broadcasting segment here amidst the boom and this is clearly the perfect time for us to unveil BBC Entertainment and CBeebies to Indian audiences.”

BBC Entertainment and CBeebies form part of BBC Worldwide’s strategy for the Global Channels business, unveiled by Darren Childs last year.

The launch of the new channels builds on an already strong presence that BBC Worldwide has in India. This includes a joint venture magazine deal with The Times Of India group, publishing major brands Femina and Filmfare; an established television sales business and an FM radio license partnership with Mid Day Multimedia Limited, to create seven FM radio stations in India’s metros.

BBC World, the 24-hour international news channel from BBC World Limited has also broadcast across India since 1991, while BBC World Service has had a presence on the subcontinent for the last 75 years.