21.02.02
BBC
Worldwide announces significant sales increase on eve of BBC Showcase
BBC
Worldwide, the main commercial arm of the BBC, announced a significant
contribution to the UK's TV export industry on the eve of its annual
television programme sales market, BBC Showcase.
Speaking
at a press briefing today in London, BBC Worldwide Chief Executive
Rupert Gavin announced a growth in programme exports of around 20%
over the last year.*
Crediting
a number of factors in this year's growth in business, including
programme exports, branded blocks, joint venture partnerships, channel
development, and formats, Gavin said, "in a market that is
currently declining overall we have succeeded by approaching the
market in a more flexible and strategic way. We no longer rely solely
on programme sales, but are looking at every possible way of developing
and exporting the BBC brand in new territories, whilst maintaining
our foothold in established markets. Creating highly visible platforms
around the world has enabled us to build a substantial global business.
This strategy has distinguished us from other UK media companies
and is paying off both in terms of income and global awareness."
One
such strategy is the development of BBC formats for the international
market. The Weakest Link was BBC Worldwide's most successful export
last year. Now licensed to more than 75 countries, with a major
new deal with Fuji Television in Japan, the award-winning format
is expected to generate more than £50 million over the next
four to five years.
Joining
BBC Worldwide in the UK today, to mark the launch of BBC Showcase
and to underline the success of the format around the world, were
The Weakest Link's Romanian, Dutch, Turkish and Indian presenters
- Andrei Gheorghe, Chazia Mourali, Hülya Ugur Tanriöver
and Neena Gupta (respectively).
Staged
in Brighton (24-27th February 2002) and now in its 26th year, BBC
Showcase continues to be the world's largest television programme
market hosted by a single broadcaster, and this year has attracted
a record 460 buyers from around the globe - an increase of 20% on
last year's attendance.
"The
year-on-year success of BBC Showcase clearly demonstrates the strength
of the BBC in the international market," said Gavin. "No
other broadcaster in the world has the range of programming, in
terms of quality and diversity, to attract so many international
buyers for such an event."
Deals
initiated at the market generate an estimated £40 million
annually for BBC Worldwide.
The
company will unveil 1500 hours of new BBC programming at the market
from across Drama, Science, Entertainment, Comedy and Children's.
The line up is led by Michael Palin's new adventure - Sahara; a
new children's CGI/live action series - Ace Lightning; The Queen's
Golden Jubilee pop and classical concerts; Wild Weather from Factual;
and new drama in the form of Spooks. Buyers will also be able to
experience the future of television, as BBC Worldwide launches a
range of groundbreaking interactive TV services for digital platforms,
including Top of the Pops Interactive, BBC News Interactive and
the BAFTA award-winning Walking With Beasts Interactive, and games
including Tweenies and Bill and Ben.
Photographs
of the international presenters on The Weakest Link set at Pinewood
will be available from the BBC Worldwide press office from 21st
February.
Notes
to editors
*BBC Worldwide's full financial year runs from April to March -
complete 2001/2002 figures will be announced in July this year.
Photographic
images of the international presenters are available from PA or
by contacting BBC Worldwide Press Office (contact details as above).
BBC
Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm, and a wholly owned
subsidiary, of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company
was formed in 1994 to develop a co-ordinated approach to the BBC's
commercial activities: television, publishing, product licensing,
internet and interactive. BBC Worldwide exists to maximise the value
of the BBC's programme and publishing assets for the benefit of
the licence payer, and re-invest in public service programming.
In the last financial year (2000/2001) its turnover reached almost
£600m and returned £96m to the BBC.
BBC
Worldwide is the largest (non-US) English language programme exporter
in the world and continues to be Europe's largest exporter of programmes,
and its sales constitute 50% of the UK total.
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