BBC Worldwide Channels today announced its plans to launch a suite of BBC-branded thematic channels into Africa. The channels will be available via MultiChoice’s DStv platform from 1 September 2008. <\/p>\n
The new thematic channels – BBC Entertainment, BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies – will replace and build on the success of existing channels BBC Food and BBC Prime, enabling viewers to access more programming from the BBC. <\/p>\n
Darren Childs, Managing Director, BBC Worldwide Channels, said: “Today’s announcement builds on BBC Worldwide channel’s long-term relationship with MultiChoice. In asking us to provide more channels for the platform is testimony to the BBC brand and the quality of our content.”<\/p>\n
MultiChoice SA Group CEO Nolo Letele says “MultiChoice welcomes the additions of the four new BBC channels, we believe it will contribute to our ongoing commitment of ensuring our customers receive high quality channels from a variety of different genres.”<\/p>\n
Dean Possenniskie, General Manager and SVP EMEA, BBC Worldwide Channels, adds: “Africa has always been of great importance to us, and we are now making a significant investment as we launch four dedicated channel feeds for Africa. This new deal with MultiChoice confirms our commitment to the territory, and allows us to deliver a greater range of contemporary, award-winning programming across all four channel genres to loyal BBC viewers in addition to attracting new ones.”<\/p>\n
Possenniskie said that all of the channels are available in High Definition and that BBC is currently in discussion with Multichoice about launching some HD content from BBC.<\/p>\n
BBC Entertainment, BBC Knowledge and CBeebies will be available on the DTSV Premium bouquet while BBC Lifestyle will be available on both the DSTV premium and compact bouquets.<\/p>\n