David wrote:
BBC World is joint venture with Discovery Channel, AIR.
Okay, I see that BBC World Ltd recently entered into a partnership with
Discovery for the distribution of the BBC World channel in the United
States. In your previous message, though, what's with the "AIR" bit?
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/art...=Breaking+News
Discovery To Distribute BBC World
By Anne Becker -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/25/2006 10:58:00 AM
Discovery Communications will distribute international news network BBC
World News in the U.S. Discovery will now seek cable and satellite
carriage for the 24-hour international news channel, which already
reaches 128 million homes in 200 countries but has not been available
as a stand-alone network in the U.S.
The pairing brings the first international news network to
Discovery's portfolio, which includes 27 entertainment networks, and
builds upon Discovery's current partnership with the BBC to
distribute BBC America.
American viewers have had access to daily half-hour BBC World News
programming on 229 PBS stations under a 1998 deal with Public
Television station WLIW New York. As of now, the programming will still
air on PBS.
BBC World programming has also run on BBC America, which reaches some
43 million homes through digital cable and satellite distribution.
Discovery has distributed BBC America since its launch in 1998 and runs
a BBC World News block weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and a half-hour
program at 6 p.m. BBC World News, owned by BBC subsidiary BBC World
Ltd., launched in 1995.
Discovery will try to gain carriage for the international news network
at a time when cable and satellite companies are already strapped for
bandwidth and skeptical about viewers' appetite for international
news.
Upstart 24-hour global news network Al Jazeera International has had a
difficult time eking out U.S. distribution for its upcoming spring
launch. The network has inked carriage deals in several other
countries, including an 8-million-home deal with BSkyB in the U.K., but
after months of talks has not yet announced one carriage agreement in
America. Plus, global news network CNN International is fully
distributed by U.S. cable and satellite providers.
Discovery has no carriage deals to announce as of yet for the network,
but a company representative said distributing BBC World News is "a
high priority" for its affiliate sales group, which is in talks with
cable and satellite providers.
http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel....ONID=&aId=8310
The BBC And Discovery Communications Sign New Partnership
BBC World Ltd
1/25/2006 11:21:27 AM
BBC World News, the BBC's 24 hour international news and information
channel, now available in the U.S.-
Today (January 25, 2006), BBC World Ltd announced a new long-term
partnership agreement with Discovery Communications, to distribute the
BBC World News channel in the U.S. The partnership builds upon the
success of the BBC's entertainment channel, BBC America, which is
also distributed by Discovery.
BBC World News will be the sole international news channel in
Discovery's distribution portfolio, at a time when research studies*
show a significant increase in demand from U.S. audiences for
international news.
The BBC World News channel has access to the BBC's unparalleled
global newsgathering operation, enabling the channel to go beyond the
sound bite to provide expert objective analysis of global issues
affecting the world. In December 2005, the New York Daily News**
reported that: "BBC World News is the best model out there for serious
coverage in a tight TV format."
BBC World News is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in 128
million homes in 200 countries but, until now, it has not been
available in the U.S. BBC World's Director of Distribution and
Business Development, Jeff Hazell, commented: "Discovery
Communications is the market leader, committed to delivering the
highest quality channels and marketing support to the U.S.
multi-channel industry. That experience, plus Discovery's proven
track record and considerable success with the BBC brand to date, will
be invaluable in the roll-out of the BBC World News channel in the
U.S."
"U.S. consumers are ready for this unique news service - one that
provides an impartial, global perspective on domestic and world
events," added Bill Goodwyn, president, Affiliate Sales and
Marketing, Discovery Networks, U.S. "We look forward to working with
our distribution partners to deliver this compelling content in a 24/7
channel."
*Source: PEW Research Centre June 2004 found that U.S. interest in
international news has increased by 15% over 2002 levels
** Source: David Bainulli, the TV critic of the New York Daily News
December 06, 2005
-END-
'Note to Editors'
BBC World News, the BBC's commercially funded international 24-hour
news and information channel, is owned and operated by BBC World Ltd, a
member of the BBC's commercial group of companies.
BBC World News is available in more than 200 countries and territories
worldwide, and reaches 271 million households (128 million 24-hour
homes) and more than one million hotel rooms. BBC World News launched
in its present format in 1995 and is funded by advertising and
subscription.
BBC World News has had an agreement with the Public Television station
WLIW since 1998, and through this arrangement, 30-minute BBC World News
programs are shown daily on 229 PBS stations throughout the U.S.
Viewers can sample BBC World News programming on BBC America each
weekday morning from 6am to 9am ET, in addition to a 30-minute program
each weekday evening at 6pm ET.
BBC World News has access to 2,000 journalists, 250 foreign
correspondents and more than 50 overseas newsgathering bureaus.
Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media
and entertainment company. Discovery has grown from its core property,
the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to
current global operations in more than 160 countries and territories
with 1.3 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI's over 90 networks of
distinctive programming represent 25 network entertainment brands
including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel,
Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Military
Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Espaņol, Discovery Kids
En Espaņol, Discovery HD Theater, FitTV, Discovery Travel & Living
(Viajar y Vivir), Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Real Time.
DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery
Commerce, which operates 120 Discovery Channel Stores. DCI also
distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI's ownership
consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ:
DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse
Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and
Chairman.
BBC America brings audiences a new generation of award-winning
television featuring razor-sharp comedies, provocative dramas,
life-changing makeovers and news with a uniquely global perspective.
BBC America pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly
addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand
more. BBC America is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available
on digital cable and satellite TV.
For more information about BBC America visit
www.bbcamerica.com.