BBC to launch four channels for worldwide distribution

by Alex Donohue, Brand Republic 08-Sep-06, 08:45

LONDON - The BBC is to launch four new global television channels, which will include BBC Entertainment and a dual-language CBeebies, as well as mobile and online content downloads.

Along with BBC Entertainment and CBeebies, BBC Worldwide will launch BBC Knowledge and BBC Lifestyle. They will be available as online, mobile and as traditional channel products.

The new channels will replace BBC Prime in some Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Thailand, with a high-definition version of BBC Worldwide planned for the future.

CBeebies will now be broadcast in India in dual Hindi and English, in a move that the BBC says will encourage children to learn a second language.

The BBC said it had undergone extensive research in many countries in order to assess its channel's consumer relevancy, adding that the decision was to make sure its channels were "something audiences want to watch."

In July, the corporation signed a deal with Vodafone to allow mobile users in Australia and New Zealand to download clips from 'The Office', 'Little Britain' and 'Doctor Who' to 3G handsets.

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