BBC Worldwide Channels counts cost of investment

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BBC Worldwide Channels says it has made good progress in establishing its new five-channel portfolio in many of its target markets. The channel management division of BBC Worldwide said that its focus in 2008/09 was to launch the channels in Latin America, Australia and Africa and announce further deals in Europe.

The new channels BBC Entertainment, CBeebies, BBC Knowledge, and BBC Lifestyle were launched in Poland in December 2007 on the new n DTH platform and there are now plans to take them onto cable. There have also been launches in Singapore, Hong Kong, India and South Africa.

The international version of BBC HD launched on Foxtel in Australia in June and there are plans for further launches in 2008/09. Broadband TV News understands there to be keen interest from the Benelux and Nordic territories.

In a statement, BBC Worldwide Channels said it expected profits to fall next year, as a result of continued investment, before rising in the long term.

BBC Worldwide’s 50% share in UKTV continues to be the engine room for the division, contributing to a growth in sales of 8.8% to £183.8 million, though improvements overall were split between the UK and the overseas markets.

Sales in the rest of the world now include commission from BBC World News. Advertising revenue on the rebranded channel grew by 20% year on year while full time distribution grew by 8% to 159 million households.


Source: BroadbandTVNews