Jana Bennett to Announce New Channel Launches

HONG KONG: Jana Bennett, the president of worldwide networks and global BBC iPlayer at the BBC, is to appear at CASBAA’s opening session tomorrow to discuss plans to launch BBC-branded channels in Thailand in early 2012.

Bennett, who joined BBC Worldwide in February of this year, will also unveil new channel launches in Taiwan and Indonesia. During her discussion with Sky Television’s David Speers, Bennett will cover the growth of BBC Worldwide’s channel portfolio in Asia, focusing on new market launches, including BBC Worldwide’s launch of BBC Knowledge, BBC Entertainment, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies in Thailand in January 2012. She will also discuss BBC Worldwide Channels’ deal with Chung Hwa Telecom to launch BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle and BBC Entertainment in Taiwan on MOD, the company’s IPTV platform; and BBC Lifestyle’s new availability in Indonesia on NexMedia, joining BBC Knowledge and CBeebies in the market, among other news to be highlighted.

Bennett will also discuss BBC Worldwide’s broader digital ambitions, touching on the ongoing trial of the global BBC iPlayer. She will talk about the company’s ambitions for the service, share insights into consumer behavior and take a look at how businesses are working to deliver their content to audiences.