BBC Studios Scores First Production Commission in China

BBC Studios is set to produce the docuseries One Cup, A Thousand Stories, its first fully-funded production commission in China, for China Mobile’s digital content subsidiary, Migu.

The 6×50-minute series tells the story of tea and its impact on China and other civilizations around the world. It will reveal how tea has profoundly influenced Chinese lifestyles and rituals—including food and concepts of medicine and health—and how tea sits at the heart of Chinese traditions, attitudes, friendships and family ties, bringing different generations together. It also covers tea’s influence on other countries and China’s role in the global tea culture.

BBC Studios has previously worked with other Chinese broadcasters to co-produce titles such as Dynasties and Blue Planet II. In recent months, the BBC Studios Factual production team has worked closely in China with BBC Studios’ senior VP and general manager for China, Kelvin Yau, to explore opportunities with potential partners, and this commission is a result of that.

The series has been developed and will be produced by BBC Studios in Scotland and will be distributed internationally by BBC Studios.

Lisa Opie, managing director for BBC Studios Productions, said: “I am delighted that we have secured our first production commission in China and will be making this fascinating and ambitious factual series for Migu. It’s incredibly exciting to be sharing our storytelling and production craft with new audiences and with content that has been specifically developed for this market.”

Bin Wang, CEO of Migu Video, said: “BBC Studios Productions makes some of the best factual programs in the world and we are thrilled that they are producing this landmark series for us. It is a great opportunity to draw on their production skills and knowledge, covering a subject that is so important to us.”