• Blue-chip series like Planet Earth II are being snapped up by broadcasters
• Increased demand for BBC Earth’s content across the region
BBC Worldwide has concluded several deals with broadcasters across the Mediterranean and Middle East for its extensive catalogue of world renowned Natural History and Factual content. This includes a deal with MBC Group’s (UAE) digital service Shahid, where blue chip series Planet Earth II will be exclusively premiered along with titles such as Mission Galapaos and The Hunt.
In Turkey, audiences of BluTV will be able to enjoy landmark series such as Frozen Planet and Africa whilst NTV will broadcast, amongst others, Spy in the Wild and Earth’s Great Seasons. Both will also be the home of Plant Earth II, which in the UK is the most watched natural history programme in 15 years. TRT, the Turkish national broadcaster also concluded a deal which includes Penguin Spy in the Huddle.
Plant Earth II has also been recently acquired by Iranian channel Manoto, which has picked up the Wild strand which includes Alaska, Japan, Patagonia and Thailand. Other examples of content sales in the region include a deal with Al Jazeera, which will air the likes of Life in the Air.
The recent sales complement a growing foundation of BBC Natural History content across the region, where BBC Earth is broadcast in Turkey on Dsmart and Turk Telekom as well in Cyprus on MTN and Cablenet.
Next for the BBC Earth brand is the launch of Orbi in Dubai – a supercharged indoor nature experience being unveiled at City Centre Mirdif. Collaboratively developed by SEGA Holdings Co. LTD and BBC Worldwide, Orbi fuses BBC Earth’s world-leading nature content with SEGA’s cutting edge technology to create a game changing entertainment experience that will submerge visitors into the natural world through a visceral, multi-sensory edutainment experience.
Natasha Hussain, General Manager and Vice President, Middle East and Mediterranean, BBC Worldwide commented, “We’re seeing an increasing demand for BBC Earth’s content across MEDME. We’re extremely proud of our reputation as global leaders in Natural History programming and it’s the best illustration of how the BBC is a premium content provider, revered the world over. We’re now looking towards the future launch of additional BBC Earth branded services in the region, building on the highly successful launch in Turkey last year. Orbi complements this and provides everyone with an impressive level of engagement with the BBC’s premium Natural History content. This launch will also cement the long running success of the channel’s content on SVOD as well as branded services.”