BBC Knowledge-Branded Block Set for Science TV

October 20, 2008 World Screen

LONDON, October 20: BBC
Worldwide Channels is launching a branded BBC Knowledge programming block on
Science TV on October 27, reaching some 10 million households in South Korea
every weeknight during prime time, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The block will then repeat
the following day from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Programming set to air includes the
hit motoring show Top Gear,
medical-science series How to Build a Human Body and docudramas such as Krakatoa: The Last Days.

This is the first-ever
launch of the BBC Knowledge brand in South Korea and the first branded
programming block for the channel as well.

Christine Leo-McKerrow, BBC
Worldwide Channels Asia’s senior VP and general manager, said, “This is an
excellent opportunity for viewers in South Korea to experience BBC Knowledge
and high-quality factual entertainment from the world’s foremost producer of
nonfiction and documentary programming.”

She continued, “Science TV
viewers will see a variety of acclaimed and award-winning science and
technology-related programs from BBC Knowledge, from Top Gear—the BBC’s BAFTA- and International Emmy
Award-winning motoring entertainment series—to top-rated medical science
series such as How to Build a Human Body; earth science programming, including Earthshocks; and
groundbreaking documentary
dramas such as Krakatoa: The Last Days.”

Sung-Soo Hwang, YTN’s
managing director, commented, “Last month, Korea’s Ministry of Education,
Science and Technology, a key investor in Science TV in Korea, announced that
it would increase public funding for the channel as well as provide additional
support from other relevant government institutions to develop Science TV into
a globally competitive channel. It also announced that Science TV will be a
‘must-carry’ channel on all pay-TV platforms. This mandate is in line with the
launch of BBC Knowledge’s block on our channel, and is a testament to our and the
Ministry’s commitment to deliver the best factual entertainment in the world.”

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski