BBC Launches Channels Portfolio in Scandinavia

LONDON, October 1: BBC Worldwide Channels has expanded the
reach of its portfolio in Europe, inking a deal to launch the bouquet on the
Nordic pay-TV operator Canal Digital from early December 2008.

The carriage deal includes the European debut of BBC HD,
plus BBC Knowledge, new to the Nordic region, and BBC Lifestyle and BBC
Entertainment (formerly BBC Prime and BBC Food).

The four channels will be scheduled and tailored
specifically for each country in the Nordic market and will feature local
subtitles.

Darren
Childs, the managing director of BBC Worldwide Channels, said, “Today’s
announcement is another significant step in our ambition to extend the BBC-branded
channels business around the world. Scandinavia is an important region for us
and we have committed a significant investment in the territory for the future
through the launch of these dedicated channel feeds.”

Dean
Possenniskie, the general manager and senior VP for Europe, the Middle East
and Africa at BBC Worldwide Channels, added: “Our plan to roll out these
channels across Scandinavia follows eight other successful channel launches in
EMEA this year. Scandinavia has always been a priority market for us with local
audiences here clearly identifying with the BBC brand and already enjoying the
quality programming that the BBC has to offer. I am also delighted that our
partnership with Canal Digital will allow us to broadcast BBC HD for the first
time in Europe.”

He continued: “Scandinavia is one of the most advanced
television markets in Europe and the fact that we have an agreement with Canal
Digital to add three SD channels to their offering is testament to the quality
and potential of our channels business.”

—By Mansha Daswani