BBC Earth Set for India

LONDON: BBC Worldwide has entered into a partnership with Multi Screen Media (MSM) India, which runs the Sony network of channels in the country, to bring BBC Earth to Indian audiences.

The channel will operate under the name Sony BBC Earth. It will air in HD and be available in Tamil, English and Hindi across India. Both the formation of the JV as well as the launch of Sony BBC Earth is subject to necessary regulatory approvals in India, for which the process is currently underway.

Paul Dempsey, the president of BBC Worldwide Global Markets, commented: “This is a pioneering model for us. By working with a respected local partner of the caliber of MSM, we can bring BBC Earth’s world-class content to a new audience who we know have a huge appetite for premium factual programming.”
 
NP Singh, the CEO of MSM, said: “Sony BBC Earth is a joint venture between Multi Screen Media and BBC Worldwide, with MSM owning the majority stake. This partnership with BBC Worldwide gives us an unparalleled edge in distributing factual programming to viewers across MSM’s network in India and to sharing with them some of the best television content ever.

“Sony BBC Earth will combine information and entertainment in real surroundings. And audiences that crave the virgin thrill and adventure of exploring natural environments, demystifying science and rewriting history will find it difficult to meander away from this channel. We are confident that within a short span of time, this new channel will carve its own distinct positioning in the minds of the discerning Indian viewer.

“We at MSM are putting together a whole new team to scale-up this JV with BBC Worldwide. This team will handle the programming, marketing and operations, as well as sales and distribution of the channel.”