BBC Worldwide Launches Two New Channels in India

LONDON, May 2: BBC Global Channels has launched two new 12-hour networks in India—BBC Entertainment and the preschool targeted CBeebies—with initial rollout on Tata-Sky’s DTH platform.

BBC Entertainment will be broadcast starting from 6 p.m., and the dual-language CBeebies channel—which will be broadcast in both Hindi and English—will air from 6 a.m. BBC Entertainment will feature dramas and thrillers such as Doctor Who, Waking The Dead, Cutting It, Hotel Babylon, Silent Witness, Spooks and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. Comedy series such as Extras, My Life In Film and My Family will also air on the channel. Targeted at children aged six years and under, the preschool channel CBeebies will feature properties such as The Roly Mo Show, Bill and Ben, Tweenies, Tikkabilla, Big Cook Little Cook and Boogie Beebies.

Darren Childs, the managing director of BBC Global Channels, noted: “The economic growth in India has been explosive with the media and entertainment industries playing an integral part. Recent research reveals that India’s DTH operators will top Japan’s next year, that India will lead the Asian cable market by 2010, and that the region will be the most lucrative pay-TV market by 2015. BBC Worldwide aims to play a vital role in the broadcasting segment here amidst the boom and this is clearly the perfect time for us to unveil BBC Entertainment and CBeebies to Indian audiences.”

The launch of the channels in India builds on an already strong presence that BBC Worldwide has in that market. BBC Worldwide has a joint venture magazine deal with The Times Of India group, publishing major brands Femina and Filmfare; an established television sales business and an FM radio license partnership with Mid Day Multimedia Limited to create seven FM radio stations in India’s metros. BBC World, the 24-hour international news channel, has broadcast across India since 1991, while BBC World Service has had a presence on the subcontinent for the last 75 years.