BBC Knowledge to Feature Lonely Planet Branded Block

LONDON: Starting November 1, BBC Knowledge will feature a dedicated branded block for Lonely Planet, starting with a debut in Asia and rolling out across EMEA and other regions throughout the month.

The Lonely Planet block on BBC Knowledge will feature travel programming such as Free Rein, which was commissioned by BBC Worldwide Channels from Lonely Planet’s production arm and Freehand. The program follows The Thorn Birds‘ Bryan Brown and Rachel Ward as they set out on an adventure across the Outback’s last frontier. Also headed to the block, in 2012, is Year of Adventures, starring Ben Fogle and based on the Lonely Planet book of the same name. The series is a Lonely Planet TV and BBC Bristol production for BBC Worldwide Channels.

The new block will roll out across all of BBC Worldwide’s localized BBC Knowledge feeds. The block debuts in Asia on November 1, followed by Australia and New Zealand. On November 5, the Lonely Planet block makes its debut across EMEA. In India, Lonely Planet will launch on BBC Entertainment on November 29. 

Jana Bennett, the president of worldwide networks and and the Global BBC iPlayer, said, “This dedicated home on BBC Knowledge marks a major step in our development of Lonely Planet as a television brand. BBC Worldwide will continue to support its growth through these programming blocks and through specially commissioned Lonely Planet productions. We hope that in time, the brand can evolve into a standalone television channel.”
 
David Weiland, the senior VP of programming and TV channels, said, “The Lonely Planet schedule is designed to take our viewers on a journey of exploration and discovery, and we’ve selected these titles to feed their passion for experiencing the world through travel. Along with our own growing roster of original commissions—like Free Rein and Year of Adventures—these programs will find a natural home in the Lonely Planet block, with a host of engaging personalities and experts to transport viewers right to the heart of a place.”