BBC Worldwide Inks Its First-Ever Deal with a Chinese Telco

BBC Worldwide has signed a deal with China Mobile’s MIGU Video at its annual Showcase event that will see more than 2,200 hours of BBC content from across factual, lifestyle and preschool become available to the video platform’s subscribers.

BBC Worldwide will provide the platform with programs available as AVOD and SVOD online, via mobile and on IPTV. MIGU Video subscribers will have access to BBC’s programs covering preschool, documentaries, factual entertainment, history, music and arts, news and current affairs, natural history and science. Some of the programs sold include Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Hey Duggee!, Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby, Steve Jobs: Billion Dollar Hippy, The Truth About Exercise, Simon Reeve in Russia and U2: From the Sky Down. The programs will be either subtitled or dubbed into Mandarin.

“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with China Mobile’s MIGU Video to be the first content partners to sign a direct deal for their video platform,” said Kelvin Yau, the general manager for Greater China at BBC Worldwide. “We look forward to working with them to build viewership and loyalty for BBC’s programs on the service. Late last year, we also signed an MoU with them to explore co-developing and co-producing content relating to the Chinese and overseas markets and hope to further grow and strengthen our relationship with them, exploring even more synergies and opportunities to work together.”

Wang Bin, the CEO of MIGU Video, added, “China is going through a time of tremendous growth and rapid market development. Everyone here is curious about popular cultures around the world. At the same time, they want to share their Chinese culture and values. We are very pleased that, with this strategic relationship with BBC Worldwide, we will be able to achieve mutually beneficial results. I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with BBC Worldwide.”