Canal+ Adds Serie A To It's African Offering, Launches BBC Earth In French

Canal+ Afrique following it's parent company Canal+ acquisition of MultiChoice is expanding its SuperSport offering with Africa 2. This will give consumers access to the Italian top-flight with the rollout of Serie A.

This brings the number of SuperSport channels available on Canal+ Afrique in francophone markets to 7, which also includes Premier League, LaLiga, Football Plus, Football, WWE, and Action.

In addition to that, BBC Earth also will be making its debut on Canal+, in French. The channel is already available on DStv for South African viewers with shows like Planet Earth, Dynasties, Banded Brothers and Eden Untamed Planet.

BBC Earth will debut on channel 203 while SuperSport Africa 2 airs on channel 727.

Canal+ is currently in the process of deploying its streaming app in MultiChoice markets after being made available in Francophone markets. The streaming service is set to replace Showmax which will be going dark across Africa by the end of April.

BBC Studios Expands It's Footprint With The French-Language Launch Of BBC Earth With Canal+ In Africa

The launch will bring world-class natural history programming and premium factual storytelling to a wider African audience, providing 22 French-speaking sub-Saharan African countries access to the channel.

The new French-language feed will bring BBC Studios’ award-winning factual catalogue to millions of additional viewers, offering a breathtaking window into the natural world, pioneering scientific documentaries and extraordinary human stories.

At launch, BBC Earth will present a standout line-up of landmark natural history series and powerful documentaries from BBC Studios’ acclaimed factual library. Viewers can expect celebrated productions from BBC Studios Natural History Unit, including Seven Worlds, One Planet, The Green Planet, Frozen Planet II and Blue Planet II, all narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

The channel line-up also features a wide selection of specialist wildlife documentaries such as Natural World: Giraffes – Africa’s Gentle Giants, My Congo, Cheetah Family and Me, and Natural World: Cheetahs Growing Up Fast offering intimate portraits of remarkable species and the people working to protect them. Global series including Africa, Earth, Universe and The Planets will also be available on the channel, providing perspectives on the natural world.

Adventure and exploration are also central to the channel, with titles such as Where the Wild Men Are, Life Below Zero, Arctic with Bruce Parry and Steve Backshall’s Extreme River Challenge taking viewers into some of the world’s most remote and challenging environments.

The channel’s programming will be dubbed into French and expertly curated scheduling tailored to the interests and viewing habits of Francophone markets.

Pierre Cloete, VP for Africa at BBC Studios, said: “The French-language launch of BBC Earth on Canal+ marks a significant milestone in BBC Studios’ commitment to making exceptional factual content accessible to global audiences in their own language. We are thrilled to expand BBC Earth’s footprint in partnership with Canal+. African audiences have a deep passion for documentary storytelling and we are proud to bring even more people the very best of BBC Studios’ natural history, science, and factual catalogue.

Fabrice Faux, Channels & Content director for French-Speaking Africa said: “Canal+ is happy and proud to offer its subscribers the high-quality factual entertainment from BBC Earth, which will ideally complement its discovery vertical. Educational programming is also a key component of Canal+’s offers in Africa, and BBC Earth is a strong addition in this area."

The channel will be available on Channel 203 within Tout Canal+.

BBC Studios Brings Bluey To Africa In Four Different Languages

BBC Studios announced at FAME week Africa that Bluey, the beloved Emmy® and BAFTA Award-winning animated series, has been dubbed in four widely spoken African languages: Zulu, Afrikaans, Swahili, and Nigerian Pidgin. This expansion marks a significant step in making quality children’s programming reflect African voices.

Award-winning TV Presenter and Podcaster, Nonkanyiso Conco, will voice Mum (Chilli), in the Zulu dubbed episodes while Nigerian presenter and actress, Omotunde Adebowale David will voice the character in Nigerian Pidgin bringing heartwarming tales of Bluey and her family in their native languages.

“Voicing Chilli has been a deeply personal and joyful experience,” said Nonkanyiso Conco, the Zulu voice of Chilli. “Bluey’s stories are universal but hearing them in our own languages makes them feel even more special. It’s a gift to our children.”

Omotunde Adebowale David said “Voicing Chilli has been a whirlwind of emotions, from feeling humbled to excited. This marks my very first voice acting project.”

Produced by Ludo Studio and created by Joe Brumm, the series follows Bluey, a loveable, inexhaustible, Blue Heeler dog, who lives with her Mum, Dad and her little sister, Bingo. Bluey uses her limitless energy to play games that unfold in unpredictable and hilarious ways, bringing her family and the whole neighbourhood into her world of fun. The award-winning series is available in over 140 countries around the world.

Barbara Jerzyk Alvarez, Head of CEEMA Content Sales at BBC Studios, says “Bluey has always celebrated the magic of everyday family life and now, more children can experience that magic in the language they speak at home. By localising Bluey in four African languages, the show continues to foster connection, imagination, and emotional learning for even more young audiences across Africa”

Bluey Season 3 is currently available on Disney+ and airing on CBeebies (DStv channel 306). 

BBC First Rebrands To BBC NL In Netherlands

BBC Studios has announced that it will rebrand its premium drama channel BBC First in the Netherlands to BBC NL on May 15th. The BBC NL channel will continue to provide Dutch audiences with dramas and crime series handpicked by the local team in Amsterdam and fully localised with subtitles for Dutch audiences, in a new-look home.

Bram Husken, SVP & General Manager Benelux & Nordics at BBC Studios, commented: “We have had a fantastic response to BBC First over the past decade, consistently ranking as a top 10 channel. We believe that there is an opportunity to bring our world class storytelling to an even wider audience. Evolving to BBC NL articulates to audiences that this is a service curated specifically for the Dutch audience, with a bespoke programming line-up of some of BBC Studios’ most popular and well-nurtured brands, available with Dutch subtitles. There’s never been a better time to come to us and see the best of your British neighbours.”

To mark the launch of BBC NL, audiences can tune into the premiere of popular light crime period drama Miss Scarlet. Seasom five, which begins on May 15th, sees the Victorian detective Eliza Scarlet tasked with solving mysterious crimes alongside brand-new Detective Inspector, Alexander Blake. Audiences can also enjoy the return of the Yorkshire-based trio of vets operating against the backdrop of World War II in season 5 of All Creatures Great and Small, which airs on May 21st.

Throughout May other new premieres audiences can enjoy on BBC NL include the popular Death in Paradise spin-off Beyond Paradise season 3 which follows DI Humphrey Goodman in the sleepy town of Shipton Abbott near the Devon Coast. Further fan-favourite returners include Murdoch Mysteries season 17, Call The Midwife season 14, The Chelsea Detective season 3, Darby and Joan season 2 and the BBC’s longest running crime series, Silent Witness, returns for season 28.

BBC Studios’ Achieves Record Performance Across Africa And The Greater EMEA Regions

BBC Studios has unveiled record-breaking performance for its linear channel business today, with standout growth in Africa alongside remarkable results across EMEA.

 

In Africa, BBC Studios' linear portfolio on DStv, including BBC Lifestyle, BBC Brit, BBC UKTV, BBC Earth, and BBC News, has expanded its reach by +14% in 2024. This growth marks the highest-ever performance for CBeebies and BBC UKTV, while BBC Lifestyle achieved its best results since 2017. Additionally, BBC Primetime, a bespoke two-hour content block on SABC3, has increased its reach by an impressive 24% compared to the same period last year.

 

The success in Africa complements achievements across other regions:

 

• Netherlands: BBC First, BBC Studios’ premium drama channel in the Netherlands, has gone from strength to strength, with 2024 topping 2023 as its biggest year since launching in 2015. The channel has delivered a 2.3% 4+ market share to date in 2024, up +16% from last year.

• Poland: BBC Studios channel portfolio (BBC Earth, BBC Brit, BBC First, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies) is also on track to deliver its highest share in 2024 (0.82%, 4+) since the portfolio launched in 2015, with BBC Earth and BBC First delivering the highest annual share ever in 2024.

• Nordics: BBC Nordic, BBC Studios multi-genre linear channel available in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, has ranked as the biggest international channel in its competitive set in Norway in October and November. In November, the channel delivered the highest share since launch (1.2%, 4+), and the channel has seen a +53% increase in Share in 2024 compared to 2023, when it launched.

 

Arran Tindall, Chief Commercial Officer, EVP, EMEA Key Markets, commented, “2024 has been a record year for our channels business in EMEA. We have seen incredible numbers across our whole channel portfolio in the Netherlands, Poland, Africa and the Nordics, and I am extremely proud of the growth we have seen this year. This success is a testament to BBC Studios’ extensive breadth of high-quality content and the careful curation by our teams to deliver engaging schedules that resonate with local tastes and audiences in each of our markets.”

Development Alert: BBC First Debuts In Czech Republic And Slovakia Through T-Mobile, O2 And Slovak Telekom

The BBC First brand premiered in Czech Republic and Slovakia as an SVOD collection via T-Mobile and Slovak Telekom in November 2023, but this will be the first time the brand will be available as a linear channel in these countries, according to BBC Studios.

The channel’s June’s highlights include Six Four, a four-part thriller starring Grey’s Anatomy’s Kevin McKidd, which will premier on June 5

BBC First will also air seasons one and two of Maigret, starring Rowan Atkinson, and season one of police drama Hope Street.

BBC First will be available fully localised with Czech subtitles to T-Mobile and O2 subscribers in Czech Republic and Slovak Telekom in Slovakia and joins BBC Earth and BBC News, which are already available in both countries.

“We are thrilled to witness the continuous growth and success of our global brand, BBC First, over the past decade. I cannot envision a better way to commemorate this milestone than by expanding its reach to new audiences, together with our great partners in Czechia and Slovakia, T-Mobile, Slovak Telekom and O2. BBC First presents a distinctive opportunity for British drama enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of content that includes both thought-provoking, gritty narratives and intricate storylines, as well as light crime dramas” said Bartosz Witak, General Manager for CEE at BBC Studios.

British Streaming Service BritBox Will Be Shutting Down In South Africa After 3 Years By The End Of August

Launched in South Africa by August 2021, BritBox was a joint venture between British broadcasters BBC Studios and ITV which was home to content accessible on BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Earth, CBeebies and BBC UKTV all of which were accessible on MultiChoice's DStv. 

South Africa was the only African region to offer BritBox and one of eight countries across the world. It is also the second region looking to not close its operations following the UK by the end of April as operations were merged with ITV's existing offering. 

BBC Studios had acquired global rights to the remaining shares of BritBox International. Under this agreement would continue to offer content from ITV with the deal described as a "tremendous opportunity to grow its services and take it to new heights".

Unlike the UK, BritBox will not be replaced with another streaming service and if anything further content is likely to resurface on MultiChoice's Showmax and Netflix. As BBC Studios despite serving as a rival broadcaster continued licensing content to other platforms. 

The news of its demise comes after Acorn TV had closed its doors in the market by the end of 2022. Since then, BBC Studios was the only broadcaster to offer the best in British entertainment now consumers have until the end of August to use their services.

Statement from BritBox about its closure in South Africa 

BritBox has made the difficult decision to discontinue its service in South Africa to align with the brand's strategic priorities. This decision follows careful consideration of market dynamics and business objectives. We sincerely appreciate your past support on behalf of our entire team.

It will cease operations in South Africa by Friday, August 30, 2024. 

Development Alert: BBC Studios Extends Its Reach To The Openview Platform With New Primetime Slot On SABC 3

After eMedia Investments and BBC Studios failed to launch BBC UKTV on Openview by 2022. MultiChoice eventually snatched the rights with BBC UKTV now reaching over 12 million households in Africa with the content set to enter more households.

SABC will soon broaden its lineup with the addition of a new two hour block on SABC 3, BBC Primetime. It will feature a selection of award-winning dramas, factual entertainment, and documentaries from the BBC Studios catalogue.

“The content block will include a range of shows including a psychological crime thriller starring Idris Elba, Luther, intense medical drama, Critical, gripping factual motoring show, Top Gear (season 14-17), and romantic comedy, Cheaters,” the broadcasters said.

“Documentary series Louis Theroux: Forbidden America, exploring three controversial corners of American entertainment and culture, will also be available to watch from launch.”

The programming will be available to watch on weeknights between 21:00 and 23:00 through BBC Primetime, broadcast on S3 and streamed on SABC+ from May 2024.

The broadcasters said BBC Primetime was hand-crafted by BBC Studios to offer S3 viewers access to globally recognised-content. This marks our first block for free-to-air audiences in South Africa, giving 13 million homes access to BBC Studios content. 

The offering will be BBC Studios’ widest-reaching branded service in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Recap To Last Month: BBC Studios Buys ITV's Britbox International Share

BBC Studios is taking full ownership of BritBox International, acquiring ITV’s 50% share for a cash consideration of £255 million.

Launched by BBC Studios and ITV in 2017, British specialist streaming service, BritBox International delivers British scripted content to North America and select markets. The service now has over 3.75 million subscribers and has an enterprise value of around £500 million.

As part of the transaction, BBC Studios has extended its licensing agreements with ITV “ensuring that programming for BritBox International will continue to represent a wide range of British content.”

ITV-owned BritBox UK is unaffected by the deal and will still feature BBC content as part of separate long-term agreements.

Tom Fussell, BBC Studios CEO said: “This is an important acquisition for us. We are taking full ownership of a successful, growing service we know well and that fits with our stated ambition to double the size of our business. Britbox International has British content at its heart and it generates and satisfies demand for British shows outside the UK. We will continue to make significant investments in the future to deliver long term value to the BBC.”

Carolyn McCall, ITV CEO said: “The sale of 50% of BritBox International means ITV is focused on its core strategic goals of continuing to build on ITVX’s success and growing ITV Studios.”

BritBox International will become part of BBC Studios’ Global Media and Streaming division, complementing its portfolio of digital and direct-to-consumer services that includes BBC.com, BBC Select, the BBC’s premium ad-free documentary streaming service in North America and BBC Podcast Premium, an audio service available in more than 160 countries.

Rebecca Glashow, BBC Studios Global Media & Streaming CEO said: “I am thrilled to further our involvement in BritBox International – it’s a profitable business and a winning proposition. We see tremendous opportunity to grow this unique service and take it to even greater heights for its subscribers, with the full power of the BBC behind it.”

Following BritBox International’s move into BBC Studios’ Global Media & Streaming division, its global CEO Reemah Sakaan is stepping down. Sakaan has been with the outfit since the start and has been CEO for the past three years.

Tom Fussell BBC Studios CEO said: “I’d like to thank Reemah for her outstanding contribution to BritBox International, which under her stewardship has seen remarkable year-on-year growth. Her passion and dedication has helped create a great culture and build a business that is loved by audiences and that has real momentum.”

Carolyn McCall, ITV CEO said: “I would like to thank the BritBox International team for making the company such a success and particularly CEO Reemah Sakaan for her leadership, drive and vision.”

New leadership plans are “in place” and will be announced “imminently.”

BritBox International is available in the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Recent hits include Archie, Death in Paradise, Father Brown, Line of Duty, Sherwood and Shetland.

BBC UKTV Reaches 12.9 Million Viewers In Africa

BBC Studios in Africa has revealed that its multi-genre channel, BBC UKTV, has attracted record numbers, reaching over 12.9 million people. Viewers have grown by 135 per cent and the channel share has increased by 99 per cent among all individuals since launching on DStv in December 2022.

BBC UKTV features a range of genres scheduled for all ages, from Lifestyle programming, Come Dine With Me South Africa S1 and 10 Years Younger to soaps Eastenders, Doctors and Casualty, entertainment Total Wipeout: Freddie & Paddy Takeover, dramas The Mallorca Files, Call the Midwife and Shakespeare and Hathaway and factual series including Life Below Zero.

Since launching in 2022, audiences have tuned into the daily schedule and Secrets of the Supercars, Come Dine With Me, Bake-Off Crème de la Crème, The Musketeers (pictured) and The Great South African Bake-Off have become the most viewed shows to date.

Pierre Cloete, Commercial Director at BBC Studios in Africa, commented “BBC UKTV has seen incredible growth over the past year, I am so proud that over 12.9 million people have watched our shows. We crafted the channel to match the viewing habits of families in Africa and give more people access to our high-quality shows. With a variety of genres available for all age groups to enjoy, it’s amazing to see how many families are tuning in. We have committed to the future of BBC UKTV and can’t wait for DStv audiences to explore even more of BBC Studios’ award-winning catalogue.”

BBC UKTV (DStv channel 134) is available on DStv Compact, DStv Family, DStv Access and DStv Easy View.

News Shorts: eExtra Unveils New Series This Is Love Alongside Snoozefest Beyhadh, BBC Entertainment Closes Down In All Markets By 31 March 2024 And Disney Greenlights New Film Based On The Mandalorian

This is Love on eExtra

During the month, it was reported that eMedia Investments was looking to add This Is Love to their linear platforms. This was after an advertisement was spotted on their channels unveiling various shows on Openview and now eExtra will be rolling out the show in the coming weeks.

According to the programme guide, This Is Love will air in a 25 minute timeslot at 14:10 from 26 January while eExtra will air a rebroadcast of Beyhadh at 13:45 from 25 January.

This Is Love follows Anushka Reddy who returns home after spending seven years in the US with Siddhant Sinha is a budding lawyer, belongs to middle-class family from Bihar.

BBC is retiring an iconic brand

BBC Entertainment is an international television channel broadcasting comedy, drama, light entertainment, reality and children's programming (some regions only) from the BBC, Channel 4 and other UK production houses. It is operated by BBC Studios.

During the week, it was reported that BBC Studios will look to the close the BBC Entertainment in all markets on 31 March 2024. This comes after 4-6 years after the channel was replaced by BBC Brit and BBC First in other countries.

In a statement, BBC Studios said it would continue to serve local audiences in the EMEA region through our bespoke genre channels, the expansion of our digital service, BBC Player, and suite of FAST channels. “BBC Studios has strong partnerships with local free to air broadcasters, pay-TV networks and digital platforms across the region and many BBC programmes will also continue to be seen through these providers as well as through our own branded services.”

The Mandalorian enters the big screens

The Mandalorian and Grogu are embarking on a new adventure — to movie theaters. Directed by Jon Favreau, and produced by Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, and Dave Filoni, The Mandalorian & Grogu will go into production in 2024.

The Mandalorian & Grogu will lead Lucasfilm's ongoing feature-development slate, including films helmed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, James Mangold, and Dave Filoni, who is also currently developing Ahsoka Season 2, among those in the works.

Possible Rebrand??? BBC's UKTV Announces Creation Of ‘U’ - A New Brand To Unite Its Free TV And Digital Portfolio

UKTV today announced its intention to launch 'U' next year - a new masterbrand that will unite its family of free-to-air channels and its free streaming service.

Launching in Summer 2024, the move will see its current streaming service UKTV Play transition to U and UKTV's family of free-to-air channels will become U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&YESTERDAY and U&W.

Penny Brough, UKTV's Chief Marketing Officer, said:

For 30 years, UKTV has had shows that people are passionate about - crime, drama, witty comedy and more - but until now it's felt disconnected. We want to make sure our audiences can enjoy the full value of our free and wonderfully diverse offer, so we're making it easier for them to navigate. U is the glue that enables us to do this: it means we go to market with a bold, simple and distinctive identity for our streaming service. U makes it easy for people to connect the dots between the streaming service and our family of TV channels - all while keeping hold of each channel's unique personality and fame. This is now a family that's fit for a digital future. It's simple, but still full of personality because it's all about U.

The U streaming service, created in partnership with global brand consultancy Wolff Olins, will become home to thousands of hours of free content from a raft of genres, including: drama (Annika, Holby City, Madam Secretary, Sister Boniface Mysteries, A Million Little Things), comedy (Meet the Richardsons, Red Dwarf, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, We Are Not Alone), entertainment (Big Zuu's Big Eats, David Mitchell's Outsiders, QI, Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, World's Most Dangerous Roads), and factual entertainment (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Masterchef Australia, Katie Piper: Jailhouse Mums, Secrets of the London Underground, Bangers & Cash). U will also give viewers access to exclusive shows, award-winning originals, premiere acquisitions and iconic programmes from the BBC.

David Stevens, Executive Strategy Director at Wolff Olins, said:

The entertainment market is so awash with confusing and bizarrely named offers, so we wanted to strip back, reduce the noise and present this family of brands in a clear, crisp, singular way. The new 'U' name is a nod to UKTV's heritage, while emphasising that this new viewing experience is all about you. We're excited about creating a bold brand that will stand out but won't get in the way. We wanted to unite an eclectic portfolio, but hold onto the personality, and help you to lose yourself in what you love.

UKTV has an ambitious growth strategy, focussed on supercharging its streaming service and growing its linear channels. A key driver of this is connecting and better leveraging the brands within UKTV's estate. The launch of this new masterbrand supports this strategy by making it easier for users to navigate both online and on-air, as well as creating a halo effect in brand marketing across the portfolio and ultimately building equity into a more unified family of brands. The simplicity of the new U brand architecture also retains the names and equity of the existing channel brands that are well-known and loved across the UK.

As part of the company's transformation plans, UKTV Play has already evolved into a digital streaming destination with a plethora of free content to suit all tastes. Its popularity has propelled the service to grow views by 69% since the start of the year (Jan-Aug), and with FAST channels set to debut on the service in 2024, viewers have even more choice to look forward to.

The new U visual identity and brand architecture is set to be unveiled in 2024. Wolff Olins is working alongside UKTV's own in-house Creative team on a suite of assets for the rebrand, which will simultaneously launch across UKTV's free-to-air channels and its streaming service next year.

UKTV's pay channels Alibi, Gold and Eden will transition to U&alibi, U&GOLD, U&eden at a later date, uniting the full network under the U brand.

Recap To The Week: New Logo For BBC Earth Repositions The Global Brand As A 'Window To The World'

New logo

The new creative refresh, developed by the award-winning BBC Studios Creative team, celebrates the premium and much-accoladed brand and features some of the hit content it has created and broadcast globally, including Blue Planet II, Frozen Planet II and The Green Planet, while looking ahead at future BBC landmark series Planet Earth III launching this autumn.

This suite of new logos and assets uses a circular device that captures spectacular content and amazing stories, representing the 'Window to the World' and transporting viewers out of their surroundings into realms of infinite wonder.

The new look will start to roll out globally across all platforms from 14 September. It is visually distinct and ownable, ensuring that the BBC Earth brand, like its programming, is both recognisable and unmissable.

Brand concept

"We wanted to elevate the heritage of the circular device within the current brand, to give it real purpose and dimension," explains Nick Meikle, executive creative director at BBC Studios Creative. "The core brand idea is a 'Window to the World': a circular window representing the Earth and the infinite wonder it has to offer."

"It is a visual mechanic that seeks to relentlessly discover immersive moments," he continues, "bringing spectacular stories into the homes of our audience, creating an emotional connection to our planet, and connecting them to the world at large.

"The brand refresh also allowed us to unify the visual language across all touch points from this central idea, as the brand has evolved significantly since its original TV launch over eight years ago."

Overall, it's a simple device that's been executed perfectly. By keeping the graphical elements to the minimum, it brilliantly achieves its goal of letting the colourful, high-definition imagery from its hit shows speak for themselves and tell their own story.

New Channel Alert (NOT REALLY): CBeebies Coming This September To Zuku TV

Zuku, an East African brand operated by Wananchi Group established with the aim of making quality home entertainment and communication services in partnership with BBC Studios had announced the addition of CBeebies.

CBeebies is a British based preschool channel featuring animation like Bluey, Thomas And Friends, Shaun The Sheep and Noddy alongside other shows like Yakka Dee, Mister Maker and Andy's Wild Adventure.

Alongside the as mentioned brand, BBC Studios is also home to BBC Brit, BBC Earth, BBC Lifestyle and BBC UKTV all of which are packaged by MultiChoice's DStv.

In other developments, MultiChoice had extended their content agreement with BBC Studios increasing the duration of select shows on the DStv app and also making BBC Lifestyle and BBC UKTV accessible to more DStv households.

BBC Studios And MultiChoice Strengthen Long-Standing Partnership By Expanding Reach Of BBC Channels On DStv In South Africa

• BBC UKTV expands its potential audience by a further 2.7 million homes by joining DStv Compact.

• BBC Lifestyle joins DStv family for the first time

• The DStv catch-up window for BBC owned content on BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Earth, BBC UKTV and CBeebies will increase from 30 days to 60 days

BBC Studios’ multi-genre channel, BBC UKTV, will expand to DStv’s Compact package and Lifestyle channel, BBC Lifestyle, will join DStv Family from 1st September 2023. BBC Studios’ will also extend the DStv catch-up window on BBC owned content across channel portfolio from 30 days to 60 days from September, providing DStv audiences further access to the best of British content.

BBC Studios’ multi-genre channel, BBC UKTV (DStv channel 134), launched in December 2023 and has proven to be a channel of choice with subscribers to the DStv Family, Access and EasyView packages with its audience share increasing by 79% in its second quarter since launch. BBC UKTV will now also be available in DStv’s Compact package, providing around 8 million families in South Africa access to a variety of entertainment, natural history series, soaps, and children’s shows from BBC Studios’ award-winning catalogue. Shows coming to the channel in September include Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators, Father Brown Season 3 and Earth's Great Seasons Season 1.

Home to a variety of premium local and entertainment programming, including The Great South African Bake Off Season 4, Listing Jozi and Jamie Oliver Cooking for Less, BBC Lifestyle (channel 174) will be available on DStv Family subscribers for the first time since launch in 2015 in addition to its place in the DStv Compact package. DStv Family subscribers can look forward to Come Dine With Me South Africa Season 9 and Britain’s Most Expensive House Season 2.

BBC Studios’ suite of channels will continue to offer DStv audiences premium programming, now with an increased catch-up window for BBC owned content on DStv catch-up across BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Earth, BBC UKTV and CBeebies, from 30 days to 60 days. Shows include Death in Paradise, Green Planet, The Great British Bake-Off, Hey Duggee and many more.

Pierre Cloete, the Commercial Director at BBC Studios in Africa says “We have a long-standing relationship with Multichoice and are proud of our six incredible BBC channels on the DStv platform. Each channel offers something for everyone with broad genre, trusted quality and international and local talent. I’m so excited to showcase our commitment to going further, broadening the reach of BBC Lifestyle and BBC UKTV and increasing the catch-up window for BBC owned content across our portfolio. This will give even more people in South Africa access to the very best BBC content and I can’t wait for new audiences to find their new favourite shows.”

Arran Tindall, Chief Commercial Officer, EVP, EMEA Key Markets says “We are proud to extend the reach of our portfolio. Adding BBC Lifestyle to Family and BBC UKTV to Compact enables us to reach wider audiences utilizing the richness of the BBC’s content, providing more DStv subscribers access to award-winning shows.”

“We continue to strengthen our content offering, therefore, we are excited about broadening the content scope for our customers,” says Georginah Machiridza, Executive Head of General Entertainment Channels at MultiChoice Group.

Universal TV Vs. BBC Brit: The Home Of Premium Entertainment

Universal and BBC Brit are international general entertainment channel respectively owned by US based company NBCUniversal and UK based company BBC Studios. These happen to be one of the few premium entertainment channels left globally as streaming has taken a toll with how content is viewed.

Universal is an action, adventure and crime based channel which is home to cop dramas such as Chicago PD and NCIS: Los Angeles, medical shows like Transplant and Chicago Med and finally mystery and supernatural dramas like Departure and Fantasy Island.

BBC Brit adapts to a similar form as Universal as they too offer dramas such as EastEnders and William Shakespeare. But the channel doesn't consider itself Universal exclusive as there's other content like The Graham Norton Show, Total Wipeout and Top Gear.

One of the things I think most people won't like about Universal is the amount of rehashed content that various local providers air first-hand. I mean I don't mind a little nostalgia every now and then I mean they got Bones and Rizzoli And Isles but these rebroadcasts get a bit annoying.

When it comes to BBC Brit, I'd say a lot of channels need to be done. I mean it's more like Universal on the repetitive side but imagine watching the same season of Top Gear repeatedly on top of that having 3 shows take up most of the schedule.

Not long ago, BBC First was shelved with BBC Brit having to pull the muscle I mean come on 2 hours of primetime with 2 hours of repeats during the day but Top Gear gets more than that on a daily basis.

If you're looking for top notch entertainment head on down to Universal sure you won't get Graham Norton or Planet Earth but you sure won't have a lineup that is as repetitive as a certain kids brand I prefer leaving unnamed.

BBC Brit is a waste but the channel has its own perks that some have to grasp for the time being I mean there's BritBox or BBC iPlayer but to those without these services have to view the bulk of content on this channel which appears as an absolute disaster.

BBC News Channel Loses 1M UK Viewers After International Merger & Presenter Purge

The BBC News channel has lost 1M viewers in the UK after it was merged with BBC World News as part of the corporation’s efforts to slash costs.

BBC News’ audience reach in April stood at 9.7M viewers, according to figures published by Barb, the UK ratings body. This was down 9% from 10.7M in March and 23% from 12.6M in April 2022.

The 9.7M figure was comfortably BBC News’ worst audience reach in at least 16 months, though it is likely to be longer, given Barb’s figures only date back to December 2021.

BBC News remains the most-watched news network in the UK. Its closest rival is Sky News, which had a reach of 7.7M last month. New entrants GB News and TalkTV posted audiences of 2.8M and 1.4M respectively.

April was the first month that BBC News broadcast merged output with World News, with the channel taking on a more international flavor, even though it does split for big domestic stories.

Presenters familiar to UK audiences, including Ben Brown and Jane Hill, have exited the channel as part of the changes, which have proved unpopular with employees.

Insiders said BBC managers were warned about a potential ratings slump and Barb’s figures were “entirely predictable.” One person said the channel’s agenda was “relentlessly global,” while a second added: “The UK viewer never knows what they’re going to get.”

A third insider said the audience drop was indicative of a wider downward trend in news viewing. They argued, however, that viewers still come to the BBC for big stories, such as elections, and online engagement is increasing.

Ofcom has voiced concerns about the merger and it is understood that representatives from the UK media regulator visited BBC News last month. Kevin Bakhurst, Ofcom’s outgoing Group Director, said the BBC’s failure to properly explain the changes had resulted in “a lot of uncertainty for audiences.”

The BBC first suggested the channel merger last May as part of measures aimed at plugging a £1.4B ($1.7B) hole in its finances after the license fee was frozen. It has also positioned the merger as an opportunity to reinvent the BBC’s news output for a digital age.

Recap To The Month: BBC Brit And BBC Earth Merge To Form BBC Nordic, An Enhanced Linear Channel And On-Demand Service, Could This Be The Future Of The Brand In Africa?

This year's most entertaining Valentine's surprise comes with the announcement that BBC Studios will launch BBC Nordic and BBC Nordic+, an enhanced linear channel and dedicated on-demand service for Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish and Icelandic viewers from 17 April 2023.

Linear channel BBC Nordic brings together the very best of BBC BRIT and BBC Earth and will replace them in the current channel mix. BBC Nordic+, a new on-demand service will enable viewers to delve deeper into the BBC shows they enjoy from the linear channel and discover new favourites.

With a long-standing history in the five Nordic market, the new channel and on-demand service have been borne out of research into local audiences tastes and the content they most enjoy. They will offer a tailored line up of the brightest factual and feel-good entertainment series from the BBC, making it easier for Nordic audiences to find their favourite programmes and to discover new shows.

Spring will be even more interesting and colourful with expanded content mix on BBC Nordic. New series of much loved factual and factual entertainment programming that aired on BBC BRIT and BBC Earth such as QI, The Graham Norton Show and Life Below Zero, will be joined by new programmes for the channel such as The Great British Bake Off along with the return of Serengeti for a third season.

Among the programmes that will be available on BBC Nordic at launch is the latest series from the multi-award winning documentary maker Louis Theroux - Louis Theroux Interviews... which sees Louis get up close and personal with the UK's biggest stars such as singer Rita Ora and actress Dame Judi Dench in the way only he can. Serengeti III will transport viewers to the heart of Tanzania to get lost in the adventures and perils of the iconic wildlife trying the navigate a land on the brink of change.

Lifestyle and entertainment programming will also form an important part of the channel offering with iconic series The Great British Bake Off (S10) being new to the channel alongside feel-good shows such as The Great Pottery Throwdown, a battle of the clay which sees 12 home potters compete to become champion, and DIY SOS which follows friends, family and local trades transform the homes of deserving families across Britain. Viewers of BBC Nordic can also look forward to new episodes of popular entertainment series coming to the channel in the following months - Live at the Apollo, The Graham Norton Show, QI, Pointless and The Weakest Link.

Dedicated on-demand service BBC Nordic+ will enable viewers to delve deeper into the BBC content they enjoy from the BBC Nordic channel and discover new favourites at the touch of a button. New content has been curated around topics such as arts and culture, travel, history, documentaries and music. In April this will include pioneering documentary series from Public Enemy frontman Chuck D - Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World. In the new 4-part series Chuck D leads a cast of Hip Hop icons from Ice-T to Run DMC to Eminem to tell the definitive story of how hip hop emerged from the ashes of the Bronx in the 70s to become a global force for change today.

Last year, BBC Studios unveiled plans to become an online only service which led to the cutback of content spending and the folding of the BBC World News brand into BBC News. The idea of BBC Earth possibly folding under BBC Brit wouldn't be a far fetched idea particularly for African consumers.

BBC Brit and since last year BBC UKTV had supplied selected content from BBC Earth for sometime as the channel in question is currently viewed as a premium channel for which the consumer base had been struggling due to inflation and domination of streaming.

Taking to account that BBC Earth can only be viewable in South Africa, it wouldn't be far fetched if this was the first TV channel that BBC Studios opts to cease distribution in the market. As mentioned, the whole premium base of DStv is struggling same goes for most of the offering on that package.

On top of BBC undergoing a similar route as The Walt Disney Company in halting most if not all their linear operations seen globally.

Recap To Last Year: The Disappearance Of BBC UKTV On The Openview Platform

Last year, eMedia Investments in partnership with BBC Studios unveiled South Africa's first free-to-air entertainment channel, BBC UKTV. A general entertainment channel featuring a selection of content ranging from doccies, lifestyle, dramas and kids shows.

Some of the content in question includes Top Gear, Live At The Apollo, Midsomer Murders, Come Dine With Me, Wild Africa, Planet Earth and Yakka Dee.

As of 2023, the channel has yet to materialize on the Openview platform with eMedia Investments and BBC Studios remaining on any developments about the channel with the latter added to MultiChoice's DStv as a cheapo on the Easyview bouquet.

It has led to an onslaught of angry Openview consumers some pointing the finger at MultiChoice as eMedia Investments rolls out the pay-tv version to the current free-to-view Openview platform, Ultraview.

Before any word about what the offering or how the bouquet would be priced. They were several Openview consumers who believed that BBC UKTV will form part of Ultraview technically not a DStv problem but a DStv effect as it seems.

If this turned out to be a reality, eMedia Investments alongside BBC UKTV would have deceived several media outlets alongside current Openview consumers with BBC Studios serving as an accomplice I mean the channel comes with a fee on DStv.

But the idea of BBC UKTV being a pay-tv channel wouldn't be the most shocking for Openview I can imagine them reviving ITV Choice or sourcing another DStv channel e.g. BBC News to tag along in this new setup.

All that is known at the moment is that eMedia Investments has yet to rollout a new channel to the free component of Openview. If the supposed channel isn't BBC UKTV then it could mean that plans for the channel were likely scrapped at this point.

BBC To Close Linear Channels And Move Into An Internet-Only Digital Future

The BBC is to have “fewer linear broadcast services” in the next decade as it “consolidates activity under one simple, single brand,” Director General Tim Davie has revealed, as he unveiled a blueprint for a digitally-led Public Service Broadcaster.

Davie didn’t elaborate during an RTS talk this morning but Deadline understands it could be several years until the move is enacted. The speech signalled the start of a shift to taking linear-channels online only that will start over the next decade, as Davie prepares for a digital future.

“The BBC will focus its effort on the digital world and over time this will mean fewer linear broadcast services and a more tailored joined up online offer,” said the DG. He stressed “live linear is here for the long term.”

Some of this has already started happening, added Davie, who pointed to the controversial move to combine the BBC News Channel with BBC World News. BBC Four, meanwhile, still exists but has stopped commissioning original programing. To many people’s surprise, youth-skewing BBC Three went in the opposite direction, relaunching as a linear channel earlier this year.

BBC:
- eAfrica Vs. BBC UKTV: Another Attempt To Auction Off Second Hand Goods
- BBC UKTV Vs. ITV Choice: Another Attempt At Boosting The BBC On DStv
- Acorn TV Closing Down By The End Of The Year In South Africa, Still No Clue If AMC+ Will Launch In The Market
- MultiChoice: "Why Premium Customers Might Lose Out On A Certain New Channel?"

Another way in which the BBC could “unite under a single brand” would be through combining iPlayer with Sport and podcast apps, for example, with more information on this activity due in the new year.

Davie, who has been in post two years now, stressed the need for more investment to lead the BBC into an internet-only digital future.

“Inevitably all this requires another choice and that is to actively, dare I say happily, invest in the BBC,” he added, in the speech to grandees, journalists and commentators in Central London. “Moving to digital is not the challenge in of itself, moving to digital while not losing most of your audience and burning millions of pounds unnecessarily is the challenge.”

His talk came a day after UK Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said it is “impossible” for the license fee to remain the BBC’s funding model after 2027 and a review is currently taking place into the corporation’s future funding.

Beyond the increase of commercial outfit BBC Studios’ debt limit, more partnerships and loosened regulation, Davie struggled to put his finger on how the BBC will be able to attract the necessary capital for the transformation.

He said the BBC’s current £5.3B ($6.4B) annual income can just about keep the corporation afloat with prices soaring and the license fee frozen for the next two years.

“The bigger conversation here is whether we are OK to get into the 2030s to protect PSB,” he added. “If you look across the world, [media companies] are struggling to raise revenue. There will be a massive strain but we believe we can maintain universality and scale in UK.”

His blueprint for a thriving digitally-led PSB is four-pronged: “owning a move to an internet-only future with greater urgency,” “transforming the BBC faster,” “proactively investing in the BBC brand” and “moving faster to regulate for future success.”

By this method, Davie said the pubcaster will avoid “simply drifting to the point where the emergence of vast U.S. and Chinese players marginalize us while we put on a very British brave face as they do so.”

Part of the push involves owning more IP, an area that Davie stressed is far more important than having studio space.

“We need to own IP and find the writers who own them,” he declared. “This is a bigger question than who is operating the most effective shed [studio space]. Those sheds are brilliant at skills and apprenticeships but they are not going to underpin the future – that’s about IP and ownership.”

DStv:
- kykNET Lekker Opened To More DStv Customers For A Limited Time
- What Consumers Should Be Concerned About Regarding SABC's Yet To Be Launched Channels On DStv?
- Press Release: DStv Welcomes The Launch Of Quincy Jones’ QWEST TV Onto Screens This Month
- New Channel Alert: WildEarth To Launch In The UK Later In The Year