BBC Worldwide Signs Massive Volume Deal in Taiwan

LONDON: BBC Worldwide has entered into a pact with ELTA TV that will see the largest volume of U.K. content become available in Taiwan.

As part of the pact, four of BBC’s channels—BBC World News HD, BBC Knowledge HD, BBC Lifestyle and BBC Entertainment—will be available on Chunghwa Telecom’s MOD IPTV service. In addition, a slate of BBC’s science and natural-history programs will be available on Chunghwa’s newly launched documentary pack available on SVOD. A package of drama content will air on ELTA’s World Channel on MOD.

David Weiland, the executive VP of Asia at BBC Worldwide, said: “We are excited to start the year with our new partnership with ELTA. About 20 months ago, BBC Worldwide restructured to enable us to work more seamlessly across BBC’s multiple business lines and offerings, to better serve our regional partners’ needs. This deal is an example of how, we are now better able to deliver our high-quality content to viewers through multiple platforms. It is also a testament to our ongoing commitment to Asia, and of the importance of Taiwan to our growth strategy in the region.”

“Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone for ELTA TV as we continue to make our mark in the new media industry here in Taiwan,” added Sally Chen, the CEO of ELTA TV. “We are proud to now be able to provide the best of BBC’s TV content to viewers in Taiwan through our newly minted partnership with BBC Worldwide. Viewers in Taiwan can now easily access a multitude of BBC content anytime, anyplace through BBC’s channels on Chunghwa, our VOD services and TV programs on ELTA’s World channel.”

“Viewers in Taiwan recognize and appreciate quality television,” commented Pierre Cheung, the VP and general manager for Greater China at BBC Worldwide. ”With this partnership with ELTA, we will now be able deliver to our audiences, through a variety of platforms, a wide range of highly rated and award-winning programs that will appeal to the viewers here.”