Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Press Releases

21.02.02

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide announces significant sales increase on eve of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Showcase

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, the main commercial arm of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, announced a significant contribution to the UK's TV export industry on the eve of its annual television programme sales market, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Showcase.

Speaking at a press briefing today in London, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Chief Executive Rupert Gavin announced a growth in programme exports of around 20% over the last year.*

Crediting a number of factors in this year's growth in business, including programme exports, branded blocks, joint venture partnerships, channel development, and formats, Gavin said, "in a market that is currently declining overall we have succeeded by approaching the market in a more flexible and strategic way. We no longer rely solely on programme sales, but are looking at every possible way of developing and exporting the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ brand in new territories, whilst maintaining our foothold in established markets. Creating highly visible platforms around the world has enabled us to build a substantial global business. This strategy has distinguished us from other UK media companies and is paying off both in terms of income and global awareness."

One such strategy is the development of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ formats for the international market. The Weakest Link was Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's most successful export last year. Now licensed to more than 75 countries, with a major new deal with Fuji Television in Japan, the award-winning format is expected to generate more than Β£50 million over the next four to five years.

Joining Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide in the UK today, to mark the launch of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Showcase and to underline the success of the format around the world, were The Weakest Link's Romanian, Dutch, Turkish and Indian presenters - Andrei Gheorghe, Chazia Mourali, HΓΌlya Ugur TanriΓ¶ver and Neena Gupta (respectively).

Staged in Brighton (24-27th February 2002) and now in its 26th year, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Showcase continues to be the world's largest television programme market hosted by a single broadcaster, and this year has attracted a record 460 buyers from around the globe - an increase of 20% on last year's attendance.

"The year-on-year success of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Showcase clearly demonstrates the strength of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ in the international market," said Gavin. "No other broadcaster in the world has the range of programming, in terms of quality and diversity, to attract so many international buyers for such an event."

Deals initiated at the market generate an estimated Β£40 million annually for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide.

The company will unveil 1500 hours of new Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ programming at the market from across Drama, Science, Entertainment, Comedy and Children's. The line up is led by Michael Palin's new adventure - Sahara; a new children's CGI/live action series - Ace Lightning; The Queen's Golden Jubilee pop and classical concerts; Wild Weather from Factual; and new drama in the form of Spooks. Buyers will also be able to experience the future of television, as Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide launches a range of groundbreaking interactive TV services for digital platforms, including Top of the Pops Interactive, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ News Interactive and the BAFTA award-winning Walking With Beasts Interactive, and games including Tweenies and Bill and Ben.

Photographs of the international presenters on The Weakest Link set at Pinewood will be available from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide press office from 21st February.

Notes to editors
*Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's full financial year runs from April to March - complete 2001/2002 figures will be announced in July this year.

Photographic images of the international presenters are available from PA or by contacting Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Press Office (contact details as above).

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm, and a wholly owned subsidiary, of the British Broadcasting Corporation (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ). The company was formed in 1994 to develop a co-ordinated approach to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's commercial activities: television, publishing, product licensing, internet and interactive. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide exists to maximise the value of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's programme and publishing assets for the benefit of the licence payer, and re-invest in public service programming. In the last financial year (2000/2001) its turnover reached almost Β£600m and returned Β£96m to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide is the largest (non-US) English language programme exporter in the world and continues to be Europe's largest exporter of programmes, and its sales constitute 50% of the UK total.

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