BBC Worldwide & Sky NZ Renew Carriage Pact

August 25, 2014 World Screen Top Stories

SYDNEY: BBC Worldwide ANZ has renewed its carriage deal with Sky in New Zealand for the UKTV, BBC Knowledge and BBC World News channels.

The new multiyear agreement sees BBC Worldwide ANZ continuing to deliver first-run British content on UKTV and BBC Knowledge as well as breaking global news on BBC World News to Sky viewers in New Zealand. UKTV delivers such shows as Silent Witness, EastEnders, The Graham Norton Show and, coming soon, Peaky Blinders. BBC Knowledge delivers factual and nonfiction programs that are presented by world-class experts, including Sir David Attenborough, physics professor Brian Cox, James May and others. BBC World News features international stories from the worlds of sports, weather, business, current affairs and documentaries. The agreement also includes catch-up programming on SKY GO for two weeks from broadcast.

Jon Penn, the managing director of BBC Worldwide ANZ, said: “British programming continues to have strong appeal in New Zealand and through this renewed partnership with Sky, we’re delighted to be able to offer fine British programs to New Zealand viewers via BBC channels for many years to come.”

Travis Dunbar, Sky’s director of entertainment content, added: “We are delighted to continue this valued partnership with BBC Worldwide ANZ. All three channels are incredibly popular with our customers and, in the case of UKTV and BBC Knowledge, are programmed specifically to cater for a New Zealand audience. This kind of attention to detail is something that the BBC Worldwide team pride themselves on, and we know that this is appreciated by the many New Zealanders who regularly tune in for a fix of their favorite British programming.”