BBCWW Chief Unveils New Strategy

LONDON: Tim Davie, CEO of BBC Worldwide, unveiled his vision for the organization today, including plans to up investment in content, rebranding some of its global channels and nixing the further international rollout of the iPlayer.

“BBC Worldwide has a good track record of taking British content to the world, benefiting international audiences, licence fee payers and the wider industry alike," Davie said. "But the time has come for a step-change, reflecting the rapid development in our markets. In particular, we will invest more into the unique content that powers everything we do, and realise the full potential of the BBC brand with audiences around the world.”

BBC Worldwide is looking to increase its content investment budget to some £200 million, with closer collaborations with BBC Productions, indies and BBC Worldwide's own production outlets; increased first-look deals; funded commissions for its international channels; and content for nonlinear platforms. The focus will be on "distinctive premium British content of the highest quality."

Davie commented, “Significantly higher content investment will underpin BBC Worldwide’s third-party sales, as well as our own BBC-branded services. As part of our ambition to take high quality BBC and British content to the widest possible audience, we also intend to expand and upgrade our successful flagship annual global sales event. BBC Showcase 2014 will be bigger and better than ever, with record buyer numbers.”

In its international channels business, BBC Worldwide plans to introduce three new genre brands to its portfolio, beginning in 2014. A number of existing services will be maintained in some markets, such as BBC America. BBC Earth will serve as the flagship factual brand, while BBC First will be the home of drama. A further brand will be announced in the months ahead, targeting male audiences.

“BBC Earth is a compelling way for us to share premium BBC factual content with audiences around the world," Davie said. "It has already proven itself through a YouTube channel, in an amazing live event partnership in Japan and as blocks of programming on linear and digital platforms around the world. We plan to launch a BBC Earth block on BBC America in 2014. This is the moment and the means to position the BBC as a true, global leader in all things factual from anthropology and animals to science and the solar system. We are also in the process of developing a new offering in BBC First. With drama at its core, BBC First will offer international audiences a first chance to view a wealth of original and unforgettable British content.”

BBC Worldwide is planning an overhaul of BBC.com over the next three years, with an increased focus on video content. The trial of the global iPlayer app in 16 countries will not be extended to any new markets. It will eventually be integrated into BBC.com. A new online BBC Store will allow consumers to buy a selection of BBC programs.

“The plans outlined today for the next phase of BBC Worldwide’s development will underpin our success over the next three years and beyond," Davie concluded. "They combine an increased commitment to content investment with new BBC content brands alongside a more powerful and unified digital engine. Taken together, these three investment priorities will serve to grow the BBC’s footprint across the world, both via our own services and our important third party sales, resulting in greater access by audiences to BBC and British content and sustainable cash flows back to the BBC.”