01-25-2006, 10:55 AM
Glad it's finally arriving there. We've had it in Canada for about five years. I wonder if Discovery will water down the American version though
***
From 'The Guardian'
BBC World gears up for American launch
John Plunkett
Wednesday January 25, 2006
The BBC's international rolling news channel, BBC World, is finally on the verge of launching in the US after years waiting to secure distribution.
BBC World now has the chance to make its debut in the world's largest TV market and compete with CNN and Fox News on their home patch, after the BBC signed a distribution deal with US factual programming giant Discovery Communications.
Discovery will now begin negotiations with US cable and satellite operators to secure distribution for BBC World, which will be called BBC World News in north America.
The corporation has long sought a Stateside platform for the news channel, which launched 11 years ago and is watched in more than 200 countries.
BBC World has never made a profit in that time, but with a foothold in the potentially lucrative US market it has a better chance of achieving break even.
Although a 30-minute BBC World News bulletin is available on public service stations in the US, it will be the first time the channel has been available around the clock.
The BBC said it was a "huge opportunity" to increase the global reach of the channel, which is currently available in 271 million homes worldwide.
"Discovery Communications is the market leader, committed to delivering the highest quality channels and marketing support to the US multichannel industry," said Jeff Hazell, BBC World's director of distribution and business development.
"That experience, plus Discovery's proven track record and considerable success with the BBC brand to date, will be invaluable in the rollout of the BBC World News channel in the US."
BBC World News will be the sole international news channel in the Discovery distribution portfolio.
US demand for international news has increased by 15% since 2002, according to industry research.
New York Daily News TV critic David Bainulli said the BBC World News bulletin was the "best model out there for serious coverage in a tight TV format".
The channel's existing US bulletin has also been praised by Supersize Me star Morgan Spurlock.
"[It] is some of the best morning news we have because it really is world news and it's not people sitting around making jokes," he said.
BBC World is available 24 hours a day in 128 million households, and has a total reach of 271 million homes.
"US consumers are ready for this unique news service - one that provides an impartial, global perspective on domestic and world events," said Bill Goodwyn, Discovery's US president of affiliate sales and marketing.
Discovery already oversees the US distribution of the BBC America entertainment channel.
The BBC and Discovery also have a factual programming joint ventures and are partners in other international channels including Animal Planet.
BBC America has been running in the US for around eight years. It won two Golden Globes in 2004 for The Office and Ricky Gervais's performance as David Brent.
"The current format [of the news channel] has been in place since 1995," said a BBC World spokeswoman.
"This is the first deal to enable us to get potentially 24/7 coverage in the US. It is a huge opportunity for the channel to increase its global reach."
The BBC World Service is set to launch a World Service Arabic TV channel in 2007.
***
From 'The Guardian'
BBC World gears up for American launch
John Plunkett
Wednesday January 25, 2006
The BBC's international rolling news channel, BBC World, is finally on the verge of launching in the US after years waiting to secure distribution.
BBC World now has the chance to make its debut in the world's largest TV market and compete with CNN and Fox News on their home patch, after the BBC signed a distribution deal with US factual programming giant Discovery Communications.
Discovery will now begin negotiations with US cable and satellite operators to secure distribution for BBC World, which will be called BBC World News in north America.
The corporation has long sought a Stateside platform for the news channel, which launched 11 years ago and is watched in more than 200 countries.
BBC World has never made a profit in that time, but with a foothold in the potentially lucrative US market it has a better chance of achieving break even.
Although a 30-minute BBC World News bulletin is available on public service stations in the US, it will be the first time the channel has been available around the clock.
The BBC said it was a "huge opportunity" to increase the global reach of the channel, which is currently available in 271 million homes worldwide.
"Discovery Communications is the market leader, committed to delivering the highest quality channels and marketing support to the US multichannel industry," said Jeff Hazell, BBC World's director of distribution and business development.
"That experience, plus Discovery's proven track record and considerable success with the BBC brand to date, will be invaluable in the rollout of the BBC World News channel in the US."
BBC World News will be the sole international news channel in the Discovery distribution portfolio.
US demand for international news has increased by 15% since 2002, according to industry research.
New York Daily News TV critic David Bainulli said the BBC World News bulletin was the "best model out there for serious coverage in a tight TV format".
The channel's existing US bulletin has also been praised by Supersize Me star Morgan Spurlock.
"[It] is some of the best morning news we have because it really is world news and it's not people sitting around making jokes," he said.
BBC World is available 24 hours a day in 128 million households, and has a total reach of 271 million homes.
"US consumers are ready for this unique news service - one that provides an impartial, global perspective on domestic and world events," said Bill Goodwyn, Discovery's US president of affiliate sales and marketing.
Discovery already oversees the US distribution of the BBC America entertainment channel.
The BBC and Discovery also have a factual programming joint ventures and are partners in other international channels including Animal Planet.
BBC America has been running in the US for around eight years. It won two Golden Globes in 2004 for The Office and Ricky Gervais's performance as David Brent.
"The current format [of the news channel] has been in place since 1995," said a BBC World spokeswoman.
"This is the first deal to enable us to get potentially 24/7 coverage in the US. It is a huge opportunity for the channel to increase its global reach."
The BBC World Service is set to launch a World Service Arabic TV channel in 2007.