BBC Worldwide Showcase, Liverpool: BBC Worldwide announced today at its annual Showcase event in Liverpool that it has signed a deal with MIGU Video, China Mobile’s video platform, that will see more than 2200 hours of BBC content from across factual, lifestyle and pre-school genres available to more than 856 million* of China Mobile’s subscribers.
MIGU Video was set up in 2014 as a wholly owned subsidiary of China Mobile, the world’s largest wireless network operator. BBC Wordwide will provide the platform with programmes available as AVOD and SVOD online, via mobile and on IPTV.
MIGU Video’s subscribers will have access to BBC’s wide assortment of programmes covering preschool, documentaries, factual entertainment, history, music & arts, news and current affairs, natural history and science. Some of the programmes sold include Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Hey Duggee, Amazing Hotels- Life Beyond the Lobby, Steve Jobs- Billion Dollar Hippy, The Truth About Exercise, Simon Reeve in Russia and U2- From the Sky Down. The programmes will either be subtitled or dubbed into Mandarin.
“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with China Mobile’s MIGU Video to be the first content partners to sign a direct deal for their video platform. We look forward to working with them to build viewership and loyalty for BBC’s programmes on the service,” said Kelvin Yau, GM, Greater China, BBC Worldwide. “Late last year, we also signed an MOU with them to explore co-developing and co-producing content relating to the Chinese and overseas markets and hope to further grow and strengthen our relationship with them, exploring even more synergies and opportunities to work together.”
“China is going through a time of tremendous growth and rapid market development. Everyone here is curious about popular cultures around the world. At the same time, they want to share their Chinese culture and values. We are very pleased that, with this strategic relationship with BBC Worldwide, we will be able to achieve mutually beneficial results”, said Mr. Wang Bin, CEO, MIGU Video. “I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with BBC Worldwide.”
This deal with MIGU Video marks BBC Worldwide’s first deal with a Chinese telco.
*as of March 31 2017
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For more information, please contact:
Jeanne Leong
BBC Worldwide Asia
Jeanne.Leong@bbc.com
About BBC Worldwide Showcase
• BBC Worldwide sells programmes on behalf of the BBC and UK independent producers
• BBC Worldwide is the biggest distributor of TV content outside of the US studios
• BBC Worldwide Showcase is the world’s largest international TV market to be hosted by a single distributor
• 700 TV buyers, along with British TV executives, producers and financiers, attend BBC Worldwide Showcase which is in its 42nd year
• Attended by A list on and off screen talent and some of Britain’s most successful creatives in the TV industry, BBC Worldwide Showcase brings together an array of Britain’s top executives from the BBC and the independent production community
• With 600 digi booths available at Showcase, buyers collectively screen over 3000 hours of content during the three days
• There will be co-production forums, masterclasses with major talent and insight sessions on global trends at BBC Worldwide Showcase along with premieres covering drama, natural history, music, comedy, science, history, documentaries, formats and factual entertainment.
About BBC Worldwide
BBC Worldwide is a principal commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Its vision is to build the BBC’s brands, audiences, commercial returns and reputation across the world. This is achieved through investing in, commercialising and showcasing content from the BBC around the world, in a way that is consistent with BBC standards and values. The business also champions British creativity globally.
In 2016/17 BBC Worldwide generated headline profits of £157.3m and headline sales of £1,059.9m and returned £210.5m to the BBC.
For more detailed performance information please see our Annual Review webpage: bbcworldwide.com/annual-review/.