BBC Worldwide Channels extends distribution in Norway

BBC Entertainment to launch on RiksTV on 01 Nov

Click to tweet: #BBCEntertainment to launch on @RiksTV in #Norway on 1 Nov

17 October 2012 – BBC Worldwide Channels has today announced a brand new distribution deal with RiksTV, Norway’s DTT provider, that will see the launch of BBC Entertainment on the platform from 01 November 2012. The agreement with RiksTV, one of the leading Pay TV operators in Norway, will significantly extend the reach of BBC Entertainment, a channel first introduced to the Nordic market in 2008.

Ian McDonough, Senior Vice President and General Manager EMEA, BBC Worldwide Channels commented: “We are delighted to expand upon our existing portfolio and relationship with Riks TV and introduce BBC Entertainment this November to 290,000 new subscribers. As the home of British Comedy, BBC Entertainment is already proving to be a popular channel with Norwegian audiences who appreciate our unique mix of classic and cult comedy, along with our award-winning factual entertainment and crime drama featuring the best of British talent”.

BBC Entertainment will join BBC World News on RiksTV as part of the “MiniPakken” basic package and will also be added to the repackaged main channel “Rikspakken” offering, where there are 30 channels in total.

Christian Birkeland CEO from RiksTV commented on the arrival of BBC: “For Norwegian TV viewers, the BBC has traditionally been synonymous with quality and good programmes. We are looking forward to launching yet another one of BBC’s channels into our portfolio. BBC Entertainment is one of the channels that viewers want and have asked about“.

BBC Entertainment offers the very best of British television and on-screen talent from the BBC and leading UK independent production companies with programmes including the globally acclaimed hit TV show Dragons’ Den; brand new and exclusive Alan Carr - Chatty Man, which airs just two weeks behind the UK and the much loved chat-show host and celebrity magnet Graham Norton.

This November also sees the exclusive arrival and global premiere of the brand new series of Richard Hammond’s Crash Course, only on BBC Entertainment. TV presenter Richard Hammond exits the driver’s seat and leaves his comfort zone for this second series, trading monstrous machines for America’s most daring and distinctive jobs. Richard has to master new skills in a matter of days, from a Hollywood stuntman to peddling the vertical San Francisco terrain as a bike messenger.

Nordic viewers have been flocking to BBC Entertainment at an impressive rate, with the channel on track to achieve its best performance since launching in 2008. The outstanding performance is fuelled by stand-up comedy favourites, the summertime unique global viewing event London Calling which united our international viewers with synchronised broadcasts of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant, Jubilee Concert and Thanksgiving and Royal Procession as well as the exclusive premiere of the hit TV show Dragons’ Den. Between January and September 2012, the channel delivered an audience share of 0.53%, up 31% on the same period in 2011, and an increase of 119% on 2010. (Source: TNS Gallup Norway / Universe National / A21-50).