BBC to launch CBeebies and BBC Entertainment in India

BY A CORRESPONDENT

4 May, 2007: BBC Worldwide, the commercial wing of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), has announced the launch of two new channels in India on Tata Sky – CBeebies and BBC Entertainment.

These two will be 12-hour channels. CBeebies will be aired from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and BBC Entertainment, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

This is the first initiative of BBC Worldwide in India to expand its portfolio of television channels in both existing and new markets.

The new channels will present original programming from BBC and other British production houses – ranging from dramas and comedy on BBC Entertainment to informative and educational children’s properties on CBeebies.

CBeebies is a pre-school channel for children aged 6 years and below. To be broadcast in Hindi and English, the programme schedule of Cbeebies consists of the entertaining, trusted and interactive series seen on the United Kingdom’s own number one children’s channel CBeebies.

Cbeebies promises to telecast popular pre-school shows such as The Roly Mo Show, Bill and Ben, Tweenies, Tikkabilla, Big Cook Little Cook, and Boogie Beebies. These shows are very popular in Britain and are informative, interactive and educational.

According to Christine Leo-McKerrow, senior vice-president, Global Channels, Asia-Pacific, Cbeebies, with its bright colours, friendly and familiar characters and interactive content, is a dependable environment for children and encourages them to learn through play.

The other new channel, BBC Entertainment, will include programmes from BBC and other British production houses, including award-winning dramas and innovative comedy and thrillers. The channel’s fare would consist of hit series such as Doctor Who, Waking the Dead, Cutting It, Hotel Babylon, Silent Witness, Spooks, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Extras, My Life in Film, and My Family.

India has been experiencing explosive economic growth, remarks Darren Childs, managing director, BBC Global Channels, with the media and entertainment industries playing an integral part. Research has shown that India will be leading the Asian cable market by 2010 and will become one of the most lucrative pay-television markets by 2015. India’s DTH operators are expected outnumber those of Japan’s by 2008.

The launch of the new channels builds on the presence that BBC Worldwide already has in India. This includes a joint-venture magazine deal with The Times Of India group, publishing major brands Femina and Filmfare; an established television sales business and an FM radio licence partnership with Mid Day Multimedia Limited, to start seven FM radio stations in India’s metros.

BBC World, the 24-hour international news channel from BBC World Limited, has been broadcasting across India since 1991, while BBC World Service has been in India for the last 75 years.