BBC Studios, Tencent partnership
October 15, 2018
Colin Mann @ MIPCOM
BBC Studios is launching BBC Earth Tribe, a brand new BBC Earth fan community with the leading ISP in China, Tencent, as well as a co-production partnership for BBC Studios’ latest natural history landmark, Dynasties.
The signing of the co-production agreement with Tencent for Dynasties is part of a larger multiyear partnership between BBC Studios and Tencent, which will see the two parties work together to develop and grow BBC Earth Tribe – a Chinese online community for people passionate about natural history and science.
BBC Earth Tribe on Tencent will not just be the destination for over 650 hours of BBC Studios’ natural history and documentary programmes such as Dynasties and Rituals, it will also deliver what the BBC describes as “unprecedented” access to the series’ creators – via Q&As with BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit’s award-winning producers – both online and at on-ground events.
Mini episodes of the BBC’s natural history programmes, 360 videos, live streamed interviews as well as live streams directly from production locations are just some of the additional offerings available to BBC Earth Tribe members.
The BBC Earth Tribe community site will go live on Tencent Video during the evening of October 15th.
Dynasties is the third natural history co-production deal with Tencent for BBC Studios, having partnered on the award-winning series Blue Planet II in 2017 and Planet Earth II in 2016.
Presented by Sir David Attenborough and filmed over four years around the globe, Dynasties explores the lives of some of the world’s most iconic animals. As their stories unfold, viewers witness their incredible determination to protect their family line in the face of challenges to their leadership or from the often harsh environment around them.
The all new five part series from the multi-award winning BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit will broadcast simultaneously with the UK telecast in China on Tencent’s v.qq.com platform.
Suman Wang, Chief Editor of Tencent Video & SVP of Tencent Penguin Pictures commented: “Our audiences have a huge appetite for BBC Earth content so we are thrilled to partner with BBC Studios on this new initiative, bringing our customers unparalleled access to an incredible portfolio of high quality content and unique interactive experiences.”
David Weiland, EVP Asia for BBC Studios commented: “Chinese audiences’ appreciation for BBC’s premium natural history content has grown over the last two years. Blue Planet II delivered over 250 million views on Tencent, and Planet Earth II in 2016, got over 200 million views. We are very excited to extend our partnership with Tencent with the co-production of Dynasties, and work with them to build a community of like-minded natural history fans, bringing our content beyond the screens to them via BBC Earth Tribe.”