Foxtel details 3 new channels

Foxtel has revealed more details of its two extra BBC channels announced earlier this year, and announced an additional entertainment channel, Channel 111.

They launch on November 1st.

CBeebies from the BBC is an ad-free children’s channel which will promote activity content for children under the age of six. It will have Australian presenters and comes as part of the My Playtime subscription package.

BBC Knowledge is a documentary based channel with The World, Science & Technology, People, The Past brings and Business programming. In November it will air Dan Cruickshank’s Adventures in Architecture, Top Gear Polar Special, The Gunpowder Plot and Tribal Wives. BBC Knowledge is offered as part of the My World package.

Channel 111 is a general entertainment, family channel produced from Foxtel’s Melbourne studios. It will be offered as part of the Get Started package. Foxtel is yet to release programming content for the channel.

Foxtel recently purchased more than 110 hours of factual and entertainment programs from BBC Worldwide.

The BBC took over the UK TV Channel in Australia mid-year.

Press Release:
FOXTEL will launch three new exciting, family-oriented channels exclusively to its subscribers – CBeebies, BBC Knowledge, and Channel 111 – on November 1, 2008.

BBC Worldwide – a key FOXTEL subscription television partner – introduces two new channels in Australia. Each is unique and offers remarkable quality: CBeebies, the UK’s number one children’s channel, presents a brightly coloured world targeting pre-school children aged six and under. The channel provides an interactive environment where children are encouraged to learn through play.

The programming emphasises educational entertainment and is supported by the core BBC values, ensuring it’s trustworthy, reliable and informative. In Australia, CBeebies will be advertising-free and provide a safe environment for children presented by Aussie hosts to bring local flavour and relevance.

Showcasing award-winning documentary and non-fiction programs, BBC Knowledge brings the world to the screen with colour, passion, sensitivity, candour and depth. On BBC Knowledge, facts are made fascinating with the channel’s programming proving the truth can be more entertaining than fiction. The channel brings audiences entertainment for the brain with charismatic experts and quality programming. BBC Knowledge is a captivating proposition for the endlessly curious.

The channel provides five key programming strands enabling simple viewing: The World delves and explores new cultures around the world; Science & Technology explores new frontiers from space to motoring; People explores aspects of the human body and mind; The Past brings historical events, places and people back to life, and; Business offers invaluable advice to help stay on top of today’s challenging business world.

Channel 111 is a general entertainment channel produced by FOXTEL and based from the Melbourne studios where FOXTEL manages the Comedy Channel.

FOXTEL Chief Executive Kim Williams AM said: “Since its inception, FOXTEL has led television product and program innovation, and launched many significant channels for Australian viewers. CBeebies, BBC Knowledge and Channel 111 add to FOXTEL’s programming depth and breadth providing valuable, fresh programming for our subscribers.

“FOXTEL is pleased to offer these three superb channels as part of existing subscriber packages adding even greater value to our service.

“CBeebies and BBC Knowledge were announced earlier this year, and now FOXTEL is able to provide these channels ahead of the planned 2009 schedule, building on our subscriber’s access to BBC Worldwide’s outstanding portfolio of global channels.”

Channel 111 will include general entertainment programming, produced by FOXTEL’s Owned and Operated Group and will be offered as part of the Get Started package.

CBeebies will be part of the My Playtime package, and a great addition to the children’s channels on FOXTEL including Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Boomerang, Disney Channel, Disney Playhouse and Nick Jr. Programming highlights include the much-loved 3rd & Bird, The Fimbles, Jackanory Junior, and Charlie & Lola.

BBC Knowledge will be available as part of the My World package and a complement to the existing documentary and factual channels that include National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science, The History Channel and Crime & Investigation Network. November programming highlights include Dan Cruickshank’s Adventures in Architecture, Top Gear Polar Special and The Gunpowder Plot – both with Richard Hammond – and Tribal Wives.

BBC Worldwide Channels Australasia General Manager, Tony Iffland said: “Our relationship with FOXTEL allows Australian viewers to access an extensive catalogue of exceptional quality programming from BBC Worldwide.

“Following the launch of BBC HD in mid-2008 as part of the popular FOXTEL HD+ service, CBeebies and BBC Knowledge will expand the BBC’s Australasian portfolio to five channels – UKTV, BBC HD, CBeebies, BBC Knowledge and BBC World News.”

BBC Worldwide assumed full ownership and management control of UKTV on July 1, 2008. Its Channels business is based in North Ryde and works closely with its North Sydney HQ.