​After months of speculation and talks, AMC Networks has officially acquired a 49.9 percent stake in BBC America for $200 million. BBC Worldwide will retain its 50.1 percent.

BBC America is the U.S. cable home for series including Doctor Who, Sherlock and Orphan Black, which now join the AMC Networks family with one of the top-rated shows on TV, The Walking Dead.

“A combined AMC Networks-BBC America channel group creates a powerful collection of networks that are among the most critically-acclaimed, with distinct dramas and other potent content that creates a deep connection with viewers,” said Josh Sapan, president and CEO of AMC Networks. “Our content rises to the top on many levels and is particularly well-suited to an era of on-demand viewing and expanding consumer choice.”

AMC Networks is the parent company overseeing AMC, IFC, SundanceTV and WEtv. BBC Worldwide will most likely still control BBC America as a brand, according to The Hollywood Reporter, but align with AMC when it comes to advertising as a channel group.

“The U.S. is an important market for the BBC’s commercial activities,” said Tony Hall, BBC director-general and chairman of BBC Worldwide. “This partnership brings together the whole BBC and will help us reach new audiences in the U.S., strengthen BBC America’s position for the long term and create opportunities for the U.K. creative community.”

BBC Worldwide and AMC Networks have worked together in the past on series including The Honorable Woman, for example, which aired on SundanceTV in the states.

Read more at The Hollywood Reporter.

Brief Take: AMC’s stake in BBC America furthers BBC Worldwide’s goal of elevating the brand of its cable properties

[Image courtesy of BBC America]

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