Digital Deal in China for BBC Worldwide

BEIJING: Marking its first-ever digital deal in China, BBC Worldwide Sales & Distribution has landed a content supply agreement with Internet portal Sohu.com that sees its drama, children’s and educational programming licensed over two years.

This includes drama adaptations such as David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, Vanity Fair, Great Expectations and Tale of Two Cities. On the factual front, there’s Planet Earth, Wild Europe, The Human Body, Human Instinct and Space Odyssey Voyage to the Planets. Children’s series include Teletubbies and Fimbles. The deal was announced at the inaugural BBC Showcase China.

BBC Worldwide’s managing director of sales and distribution, Steve Macallister, said, “Our business in China has been established over many years, in partnership with the state broadcaster, China Central Television, and many regional networks. We are proud to take this new step into China’s growing digital sector with Sohu.com. With more than 50,000 hours in our catalogue, there is a wealth of educational and entertaining programming to offer Chinese content providers.”

Yu Tao, the editor in chief of Sohu Video Channel, added, “Sohu is one of China’s premier Internet portals with millions of users. We are delighted that BBC Worldwide will supply us with world renowned content to help our audiences learn more about science and nature, as well as British culture and literature through its famous drama series.”