BBC Worldwide Inks Deals for Earth Doc

LONDON, April 14: BBC
Worldwide has sold the natural history HD series Earth: The Power of the
Planet to 34 broadcasters around
the world, and has also named a licensee in North America and the U.K. for the
drama series Torchwood.

A majority of the deals
for Earth: The Power of the Planet
were struck during MIPTV last week. The five-part series has recently been
licensed to China Central Television, Arabian Gulf Productions and Oryx
Productions in Egypt. The series has also been sold into Sweden, Qatar,
Estonia, Latin America, Japan and Canada.

Earth: The Power of the
Planet is a BBC/National Geographic Channel U.S./ZDF co-production that
examines the forces that shape the Earth, volcanoes, the ocean, the atmosphere
and ice, and explores each of their central roles in our planet's story.

Steve Macallister, the
managing director of global TV sales for BBC Worldwide, commented: “Earth:
Power of the Planet, with its
stunning account of our planet’s natural history, is a shining example of our leadership
in science and factual output. The title has certainly struck a chord with
buyers from all over the world. The title has already won audiences around the
globe and only looks set to build on its proven success.”

Additionally, BBC
Worldwide has appointed Underground Toys as the licensee in North America and
the U.K. for the drama series Torchwood.

Under the deal,
Underground Toys will take on the international distribution of existing Torchwood product and the manufacturing of new lines that
include mugs, key chains, voice key chains, plastic prop replica items, playing
cards and resin busts for the U.S. and U.K. markets.
In the U.S., action figures and Minimates are also included in the
agreement. The new products will begin shipping to U.S. and U.K. specialty
stores this summer.

From the creators of Doctor
Who, Torchwood is currently attracting an average of 3.3 million
viewers in the U.K. on BBC Two, with a first-episode peak of 4.22 million. In
the U.S., it is the most successful series ever to air on BBC America.

Anna Hewitt, the head of
international licensing at BBC Worldwide, said: “We’re thrilled to embark on
this project with Underground Toys. The partnership follows the success of the Doctor
Who range, which Underground Toys
distributes in North America, and we’re looking to tap in to the amazing TV
success on both sides of the pond to attract toy sales across a range of
premium product.”

—By Irene Lew