BBC Worldwide announces UK.TV acquisition

As one of three stakeholders in UK.TV (formerly with a 20 % share), BBC Worldwide's Channels business has agreed terms with joint partners FOXTEL and FremantleMedia to become the channel's sole owner.

In addition, BBC Worldwide has formed a strategic alliance with FOXTEL to roll out three new channels in Australia from its new BBC-branded global portfolio. The first of these is BBC HD, which launched earlier this month as part of the new FOXTEL HD+ service. Plus, BBC Knowledge and CBeebies will be the first BBC channels to launch on FOXTEL when it gains extra cable and satellite capacity in mid 2009. BBC World News, the BBC's international 24-hour news channel, which is already available to FOXTEL subscribers, will complete BBC Worldwide's five-channel offering.

“Demonstrates commitment”

Darren Childs, BBC Worldwide Channels' MD, said: “The agreement demonstrates our commitment to Australia and follows the ground-breaking launch of the BBC HD service on FOXTEL - the channel's first launch outside the UK. The Australian market is extremely important to BBC Worldwide; there is a strong affinity to our content that has built up over many years. Having five channels will allow us to showcase the breadth and depth of BBC programmes, in many cases for the first time, to Australian audiences. In addition, we will continue to seek new opportunities for future growth in this region.

“We are delighted to be launching two new services in 2009 from our Australian base and believe BBC Knowledge and CBeebies will be as popular with the Australian viewing public as they have with our other global audiences. The channels reflect all that the BBC stands for in originality, quality and entertainment.

“The move to full ownership of UK.TV was an obvious step for BBC Worldwide. The channel's content is synonymous with the BBC's output and is known and loved in Australia, delivering the best of British television to subscription television viewers.”

“Access to the best”

FOXTEL CE Kim Williams AM said: “British programming is extremely popular with Australian audiences and this agreement will provide our subscribers with access to the best of BBC Worldwide's outstanding portfolio of global channels and extensive catalogue of exceptional quality programming.

UK.TV will become part of BBC Worldwide, which already has an established presence in Australia. Its head office in Sydney focuses on TV sales, content and production, digital media, home entertainment and magazines, and it maintains a substantial operation in Melbourne through the acquisition of Lonely Planet.