BBC Worldwide & Australia’s ABC TV Renew First-Option Deal

SYDNEY: An additional three years have been added on to the first-option agreement between BBC Worldwide Australia and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The deal grants ABC TV exclusive access to new content from the BBC Worldwide catalogue. Among the first programs to launch from the pact of the new drama are Call the Midwife, the detective series Death in Paradise, the new production of the Dickens’ classic Great Expectations and the new factual show Fry’s Planet Word and Alone In the Wild. The deal also sees the returning series Doctor Who, New Tricks and Luther on ABC TV.

Julie Dowding, BBC Worldwide’s sales director for Australasia, said: “We’re delighted to renew our first-option deal with ABC TV. It’s a broadcaster that shares many values with BBC Worldwide and it has been a fantastic platform for our quality content over the years.”

Brendan Dahill, ABC1’s channel controller, added: “There is a natural synergy between our audience and the excellent content and high production values of BBC programming. It is an excellent fit so we are extremely pleased to be continuing our relationship for many years to come.”