BBC BRIT, BBC EARTH AND BBC FIRST

South Africa is the first country in the world to launch all three of BBC Worldwide’s new global brands

BBC Worldwide has announced that BBC Brit, BBC Earth and BBC First will launch on MultiChoice’s DStv platform in South Africa, making it the first pay TV platform in the world to launch all three of its new global genre brands.

BBC Brit and BBC Earth will be available from September 1, 2015, and BBC First will follow on October 18 2015.

In South Africa, BBC Entertainment and BBC Knowledge will be replaced with BBC Brit and BBC Earth with an increased investment into new content, whilst BBC First will launch as a new channel in the region. The new channels will sit alongside BBC Lifestyle, CBeebies and BBC World News.

BBC Brit offers premium factual entertainment that is intelligent but irreverent. Male-skewing but with broader appeal, it blends expertise with entertainment and fact with fun. The channel will become the exclusive home of Top Gear and covers a rich variety of subjects: cars, science, adventure, business, life-changing moments, extreme characters, quirky eccentrics and comedy. BBC Brit will be available to DStv Premium, Extra and Compact customers on channel 120.

BBC Earth inspires audiences by sharing the incredible wonders of the universe. The channel showcases the work of the world’s foremost factual film-makers as it seeks to take audiences on a thrilling journey of discovery. From the smallest creature under the microscope to the limitless expanses of space, BBC Earth brings viewers face to face with heart pounding action, mind blowing ideas and the wonder of being human. BBC Earth will be broadcast in HD and will be available exclusively to DStv Premium customers on channel 184.

BBC First is the home of premium, original British drama. Showcasing world-renowned, award-winning talent in front of and behind the camera, it delivers audiences the first chance to see stories that challenge, immerse and entertain, all with a unique British perspective. BBC First will be available on channel 119 exclusively to DStv Premium customers.

Paul Dempsey, President Global Markets at BBC Worldwide said: “BBC Brit, BBC Earth and BBC First bring together some of the world’s biggest names and best programme-makers in three brilliantly curated, high quality channel brands. The channels capture what’s special about British TV and our South African launch marks an important step in the company’s global strategy as we continue to inspire audiences with distinctive, premium programming.”

Joel Churcher, General Manager and Vice President for Africa, BBC Worldwide commented: “South Africa is the first market in the world to receive all three new brands. The content hosted on these channels is designed to reach a diverse pan-African audience, reflecting a wide range of voices, ages and cultures. Our African viewers clearly have a deep affection for BBC programming, and as a leading content distributor, we will continue to deliver high quality, premium content to our channels for many years to come.”

Mark Rayner, Chief Operations Officer for MultiChoice South Africa commented: “Our DStv customers will be delighted with the addition of even more compelling BBC content. We’re constantly looking for ways to bring more value and premium entertainment to our customers – by being the first platform in the world to exclusively offer these three channels, just shows our level of commitment to that promise.”

Packed with brand new unmissable programming and A-list talent, the schedules for BBC Brit, BBC Earth and BBC First will showcase the very best in quick witted entertainment and World-Class Factual programming from the BBC and leading UK independents. BBC Earth and BBC First will be available on DStv Premium and BBC Brit will be available to DStv Premium, Extra and Compact customers.