Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for visiting our website. Below is a list of questions frequently asked by our viewers. If you can't find what you're looking for, please send us a message via the Contact page.

1. When will BBC Worldwide Channels in the Nordic region be available in widescreen?
2. I am having problems viewing programmes on BBC Lifestyle in the new widescreen aspect ratio - do you have any technical advice?
3. Why is there advertising on BBC Entertainment in Norway?
4. I thought BBC Entertainment in Norway was a public service channel?
5. What is the reason for including older programmes in the schedule?
6. EastEnders – scheduling on BBC Entertainment from March 2013
7. I would really like to work for the BBC - how do I find out about employment opportunities? Can I send you my C.V.?
8. Why do we see the same trailers again and again?
9. Where can I buy a DVD of a BBC programme?
10. Can you explain your repeat pattern?
11. Can I obtain a DVD of a programme for educational or training purposes?
12. I am experiencing problems watching the channels – what can I do?
13. How can I submit a programme/TV format to BBC Worldwide
14. How do I get permission to use a clip from a BBC programme?
15. Why can’t I watch programme clips on the bbc.co.uk website?
16. Are your channels available online through this website or elsewhere?

Answers

1. When will BBC Worldwide Channels in the Nordic region be available in widescreen?

   We are planning to update all our BBC Worldwide channels to widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio), and as you can understand this takes time. It is our ambition to have all of our BBC channels in the 16:9 / widescreen format before the end of the year and we are pleased to confirm that BBC Lifestyle in the Nordic region converted to widescreen on 1 May 2013.

   Please note that while the channels will convert to widescreen, some of your favourite old shows such as ‘Allo Allo’, will remain in the “old format” known as 4:3, as this is how these shows were originally shot.

2. I am having problems viewing programmes on BBC Lifestyle in the new widescreen aspect ratio - do you have any technical advice?

   As some of our content was filmed in 4:3, these shows will remain in that format now that we have converted to widescreen, and may appear with black bars at the sides of the picture. This is so the content is not stretched or squashed.

   If your satellite or cable receiver is connected to a widescreen television, we would recommend setting the output to widescreen/16:9 so that the picture is the correct shape without the appearance of being stretched horizontally or squashed vertically. If your satellite or cable receiver is connected to a 4:3 television, we would recommend setting the output to either ‘4:3 Centre Cut Out’ or ‘letterbox’ mode, which will ensure the picture is the correct shape with either the middle of the widescreen picture shown filling the non-widescreen television, or as a letterbox (black bars at top and bottom), allowing you to see all of the widescreen picture.

   In addition, some television sets also have options to zoom or auto-stretch pictures. We recommend selection widescreen/16:9 for widescreen television sets to preserve the correct picture shape. You may choose to stretch or zoom that picture to fill the whole screen, according to your personal preference.

3. Why is there advertising on BBC Entertainment in Norway?

   The introduction of advertising to BBC Entertainment in Norway is a decision that we have carefully considered and we can assure you it will not compromise the integrity and quality of the programmes you are used to and enjoy watching. We know our viewers value the best of British content on BBC Entertainment, and the revenues generated through advertising will allow us to invest in even more of these programmes.

4. I thought BBC Entertainment in Norway was a public service channel?

   BBC Worldwide Channels differ from public service BBC channels in the UK which are funded by revenue generated by each UK household owning a television licence. Our Worldwide Channels receive no UK licence fee revenue and require a huge yearly investment to run and we need to look to commercialisation to keep them on air and keep bringing you brand new, bigger and better television shows.

5. What is the reason for including older programmes in the schedule?

   For the majority of our viewers, this is the first chance to see these programmes, and often the only way to view them. However, it is likely that British people currently overseas will have already seen some of our programmes - but there is also plenty of fresh and recent programming on the channel.

6. EastEnders – scheduling on BBC Entertainment from March 2013

   From March 2013 we are moving the premieres of EastEnders to 17.30 Monday - Thursday. We will be keeping the midday weekday slot as a repeat from the previous day and the Sunday EastEnders omnibus will remain but we will be replacing the Saturday omnibus with something different, initially some of our most popular comedy titles in this slot. Therefore, viewers will still have many opportunities to catch EastEnders on BBC Entertainment, but just in slightly different but hopefully more convenient time slots.

7. I would really like to work for the BBC - how do I find out about employment opportunities? Can I send you my C.V.?

   Please don't send your C.V. to us! We at BBC Worldwide can't help with enquiries about working at the BBC. When there are vacancies they are advertised in the most relevant newspapers and on the BBC's main website. For general information, advice and the latest vacancies, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/careers.

8. Why do we see the same trailers again and again?

   Our aim is to bring you the best programmes possible and we’re keen for viewers who come into the channel at different times of the day and night to know what we have available for them. Research also indicates that viewers need to see a trailer a number of times before they register with them. We work with audience feedback to identify key programmes that we think audiences would like and are careful not to over produce trailers in order to maximise what we spend on programming for the channels. That said, we do air a number of trailers to showcase the breadth of our output, so you should be seeing new things coming up, as well as trailers you’ve seen before.

9. Where can I buy a DVD of a BBC programme?

   Whilst not all of the programmes which you see on our channels are commercially accessible, you may like to check DVD availability with the BBC Shop – www.bbcshop.com – or an alternative online or local retailer. In addition, for many shows, the programme-makers release related merchandise which you may find of interest.

10. Can you explain your repeat pattern?

    Like all commercial channels in a multi-channel environment our channels will normally repeat programmes at a different time of the day and/or at weekends. This allows for people coming to the channel at different times of the day to still see a selection of our great programmes, or to catch up on shows that they might have missed. We schedule the first run of programmes at key times, usually in the evenings.

11. Can I obtain a DVD of a programme for educational or training purposes?

    Possibly, it depends on many things, including copyright restrictions, but it is sometimes possible to arrange for legitimate educational establishments to obtain a copy. For more information, please refer to the BBC Active website http://www.bbcactive.com

12. I am experiencing problems watching the channels – what can I do?

    If you are experiencing technical problems with any of our channel/s, please contact your operator first. If they are unable to help, please get in touch with us. In order to investigate the problem for you fully, we will need details of the dates and times at which the problem occurred, the name of the programme if possible, and the channel and country in which you are watching. If you can also tell us through which operator you receive the channel/s, this would be really helpful.

13. How can I submit a programme/TV format to BBC Worldwide

    BBC Worldwide works with the BBC and independent producers to develop commercial opportunities from their programmes and TV formats. We regret we are unable to consider or comment on unsolicited programme ideas.

    If you wish to pitch your idea to the BBC please visit the BBC Commissioning website

    If you wish to contact an independent production company with your idea you could contact PACT, the industry association, for a list of companies to approach.

14. How do I get permission to use a clip from a BBC programme?

    For further details please refer to the BBC Motion Gallery

15. Why can’t I watch programme clips on the bbc.co.uk website?

    Much of the content on the bbc.co.uk website is aimed at UK users, so we negotiate rights to include video, audio, images and other types of content for the UK only. World rights are much more expensive, but we are hoping to make more audio and visual content available to our international audiences.

16. Are your channels available online through this website or elsewhere?

    Our international channels are not currently available online, but there are many clips available to view on this website, as well as games and other exciting features.