Italy Picks Up BBC Programming

LONDON: BBC Worldwide has secured several pickups from Italian broadcasters from its factual, drama and lifestyle catalogues.

Public broadcaster Rai has acquired the three-part documentary Opera Italia, featuring conductor Antonio Pappano as he survey’s Italian opera history. Rai also picked up the Rolling Stones documentary Stones in Exile and U2=BBC, a behind-the-scenes look at music group U2.

Cielo Television has also invested in BBC Worldwide’s music catalogue, snapping up the John Lennon biopic Lennon: Naked.

From BBC’s drama programming, Rai acquired seasons one and two of Misfits; seasons one through five of Doctor Who; and seasons one through three of Being Erica. Meanwhile, Fox Italy picked up Luther, seasons one and two of Misfits and Strike Back for the pay-TV window. Mediaset went for Sherlock.

In the lifestyle genre, Discovery picked up the Top Gear catalogue, including seasons one and two of Top Gear USA.

“These deals showcase the diversity of our catalogue,” said Francesca Doria, BBC Worldwide’s territory manager for Northern Mediterranean, “which promotes a wide range of quality programming in all genres. In particular, we are seeing real growth in the amount of drama sold into the territory, and it is fantastic to see our world-class British titles such as Luther and Misfits striking a cord with Italian audiences.”