More BBC for Greater China
April 8, 2014
BBC Worldwide has confirmed two new deals in Greater China. The deals have been signed with TVB, the primary free-to-air TV broadcaster in Hong Kong, and Tencent, a leading provider of comprehensive Internet services in China.
The deal with TVB sees BBC Worldwide providing a wealth of new titles, predominantly natural history and factual, to the biggest terrestrial broadcaster in Hong Kong.
Starting in the second quarter of this year, viewers in Hong Kong will be privy to highly commended series such as How to Build A Planet, Supergiant Animals and Deadly Pole To Pole. Other programmes in the deal include entertainment, lifestyle and preschool titles such as Sherlock (series three), Michela’s Classic Italian and Show Me Show Me (series four).
The deal marks the first time Tencent has acquired factual programmes from BBC Worldwide. Over 60 natural history and factual titles will be available on Tencent’s V0D service.
“We are extremely excited about the two new deals,” said Pierre Cheung, Vice President and General Manager Greater China for BBC Worldwide. “TVB has been a trusted partner of BBC Worldwide for many years now, and this deal has cemented our relationship. With Tencent, we’ve had immense success with drama titles in the past, with series one of Primeval raking in its highest ratings at 8 million views by the end of March 2014. Now, we are eager to explore new grounds with Tencent and expand our offerings on their VoD service.”