19.08.02
BBC
Worldwide signs High Definition music deal with NHK
BBC
Worldwide has announced an innovative new three-year agreement to
co-produce a series of classical music performance programmes recorded
in High Definition with NHK, the Japanese state broadcaster, in
association with the BBC.
NHK
has this summer co-produced two major BBC music productions in High
Definition - Mahler's 8th Symphony conducted by Sir Simon Rattle
from the Proms and Bizet's Carmen from The Glyndebourne Festival.
These two collaborations are the first products of the new three-year
agreement between the two broadcasters.
The
new production of Carmen by David McVicar, starring Swedish mezzo
soprano Anne Sofie von Otter, was transmitted live on BBC TWO on
Saturday 17 August. BBC Director General, Greg Dyke and BBC Worldwide
Chief Executive, Rupert Gavin were at Glyndebourne for the live
performance, where they welcomed Yukihiko Ideta, Yasuo Ohnuki and
Toshio Asaoka from NHK to sign the agreement.
Future
programmes to be co-produced and broadcast by NHK include a wide
range of musical programmes, such as opera and ballet from The Royal
Opera House and other musical events of the highest quality.
Hazel
Wright, Executive Manager, Television, BBC Worldwide, commented:
"Recording music performances in High Definition is a direct
response by BBC Worldwide to the increasing international demand
for this technology, both for television and DVDs. NHK has collaborated
with and encouraged European recording in High Definition and we
look forward to working together on some of our best musical productions."
Yukihiko
Ideta, Director General, Programme Production Department, NHK, said:
"This agreement with BBC Worldwide is an exciting development
for us, as it will create an opportunity for further development
of music performance programmes in High Definition. I am delighted
to be working with the BBC in this format."
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