BBC Worldwide Press Releases

BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, will launch the branded drama block, 'BBC Entertainment presents "Premium Theatre"' on Japanese satellite and cable TV station LaLa TV. This will be the first ever BBC drama dedicated block in Japan.

The branded block, set to launch in April 2011, will screen weekly in primetime, and feature top BBC Worldwide programming including Cranford, Desperate Romantics and PA's.

Katsuhiko Waza, President of BBC Worldwide Japan says: "We are delighted to be launching "Premium Theatre" presented by BBC Entertainment with LaLa TV with whom we have a long and valued relationship. LaLa TV has previously broadcast popular BBC titles such as Mistresses and Robin Hood and we believe that this platform will be wonderful for Japanese audiences to further engage with even more quality British drama."

Mr Shinji Suda, President & Representative Director, Jupiter Entertainment Co., Ltd says: "Since the launch of LaLa TV in 2000, we have televised a lot of BBC drama and, especially since broadcasting the movie-quality drama series Robin Hood, have had the opportunity to increase British drama viewers in Japan. By launching the BBC drama branded block, 'BBC Entertainment presents "Premium Theatre"' we are committed to continuing this growth."

To kick off the branded block, BBC Entertainment "Premium Theatre" will present the witty and poignant drama Cranford, starring the Oscar-winning Dame Judi Dench, and the comedy drama PA's, an off–beat, fast–paced and funny depiction of office life.

BBC Worldwide will be launching a host of new dramas at Mipcom including Upstairs Downstairs, Outcasts, DCI Banks: Aftermath, The Deep, Mad Dogs and Misfits (S2).

NOTES TO EDITORS
LaLa TV (JUPITER ENTERTAINMENT Co., LTD: Marunouchi, Chiyodaku-ku, Tokyo) is an entertainment channel that provides a selection of high quality programmes including popular foreign dramas, lifestyle and talk shows. Currently, LaLa TV is broadcast on J:COM, SkyPerfectTV!, SkyPerfectTV!, e2 and other national cable TV operators to 6.5 million households.

Production credits
Cranford (5 x 55’ HD) - A BBC/WGBH co-production in association with Chestermead Ltd
Desperate Romantics (6 x 50’ HD) - A BBC production
PA's (6 x 50’ HD) - A 2AM TV production for BBC
Mistresses (3 x 60’) - A September Films production for BBC
Robin Hood (13 x 45’ HD) - A Tiger Aspect production for BBC and BBC America
Upstairs Downstairs (3 x 60’ HD) - A BBC Cymru Wales / Masterpiece co-production for BBC and PBS
DCI Banks: Aftermath (2 x 50’ HD) - A Left Bank Pictures production for ITV1
The Deep (2 x 90’ or 5 x 60’ HD) - A Tiger Aspect production for BBC
Mad Dogs (4 x 50’ HD) - A Left Bank Pictures production for Sky
Misfits series 2 (6 x 45’ & 1 x 50’ Special) - A Clerkenwell production for E4
Outcasts (8 x 50’ HD) - A Kudos Film & Television production for BBC in association with BBC America

Julia Holmes