The commercial side of the BBC is looking at $600 million in revenue in the U.S., but that’s only the start for Tim Davie and company. The team is searching for their next BBC drama hit (with the global success of “Doctor Who” or “Sherlock”) as it ramps up channel launches around the world.
Davie, BBC Worldwide’s CEO, outlined some of these plans at the Broadcasting Press Guild event, saying that at the heart of its 2014-2015 plans is a renewed commitment to premium content. Davie said BBC Worldwide has a $330 million stake in expanding its original content to further define the BBC drama brand. And though “Sherlock” continues as a ratings success in the U.S. and around the world, he said that the BBC’s original content play will focus on brand-defining drama with a distinctly British appeal.
Also in the works for the BBC are multiple new channels, with pilot launches planned for 2014. BBC Earth linear channels and programming blocks might be one such option, as well as the male-targeted BBC Brit, which could have a pilot market launch as early as this year, and BBC First, a premium channel in Australia launching this summer. Davie said BBC First is meant to mirror U.S. premium networks like HBO and Showtime, stressing original drama with some events and comedy series.
Read more at The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.
Brief Take: Davie’s plans for BBC Worldwide focuses on gaps in the global market as well as an emphasis on what BBC does well - high-quality British drama.
[Image courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter]
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