NZ’s Documentary Channel to Become BBC Knowledge

LONDON/AUCKLAND: BBC Worldwide has planned to relaunch the Documentary Channel in New Zealand as BBC Knowledge next year, joining BBC World News and UKTV on the Sky platform.

The factual channel has already found success in more than a dozen territories around the world. BBC Knowledge features experts such as Louis Theroux, Paul Merton, Bruce Parry, Michael Palin and Ray Mears.

Tony Iffland, BBC Worldwide Australia’s general manager, commented, “Creating a tailored factual offering specifically for New Zealand tastes and preferences is at the very core of our content strategy. BBC Knowledge will have local flavor and local relevance.

“We look forward to engaging with the local production sector to discuss content acquisition and other opportunities to bring New Zealand content to New Zealand audiences. With three channels now in the market, this is a brilliant opportunity to showcase the diversity and depth of our content.”

“BBC Knowledge has so much in common with the Documentary Channel—they are both the homes of challenging, trustworthy content that is as entertaining as it is informative,” added Richard Driver, owner of the Documentary Channel.

Driver continued, “It’s been a difficult decision to decide to sell the channel that I’ve established and cultivated to its present level of success, but I know that BBC Worldwide will only build on its achievements and audiences.”

“New Zealanders have a strong appetite for quality documentary programming, which has already been demonstrated by the success of the Documentary Channel,” said Karen Bieleski, SKY Television’s head of general entertainment and prime. “We are delighted to be working with BBC Worldwide to re-launch this expanded version of the channel, with even richer content and the solid backing of the BBC’s exceptional programming output.”