BBC Worldwide Channels Extend Reach in MENA

BBC Worldwide has expanded the presence of its branded services in the Middle East and North Africa, including the factual channel BBC Earth.

BBC Earth is launching as a fully localized linear channel—with Arabic subtitling—across MENA through the beIN platform on April 5. The network will also increase its distribution in Turkey, debuting on Digiturk that same day. BBC Earth includes such factual programming as Blue Planet II, Life Below Zero and Astronauts: The Toughest Job in the Universe.

Meanwhile, CBeebies will also make its premiere as a full linear channel in the Turkish market on April 5 via Digiturk. The preschool network will be fully localized with Turkish dubbing and a bespoke schedule for the Turkish market that includes such series as Hey Duggee, Go Jetters and Sarah and Duck.

Natasha Hussain, the VP and general manager for the Middle East and Mediterranean region at BBC Worldwide, commented: “Our expanded partnership with beIN marks an important step in BBC Earth’s journey as a global brand as it increases its reach to a significant new audience across the MENA region and extends its availability to a number of new homes across Turkey via Digiturk. The BBC is uniquely positioned as the world leader in natural-history and factual filmmaking, with an unparalleled 60-year heritage in leading production of quality natural-history programming. With beIN we are delighted to deliver world-class production, creation and technological breakthroughs that BBC Earth has to offer.

“CBeebies is the number one channel for preschoolers in the U.K. and I am delighted to be spreading its success to Turkey for the first time. I am certain that the channel’s unique offering of award-winning, interactive and educational programming will make it becomes a firm favorite with Turkish preschoolers and carers.”