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ABC renews BBC output deal

The ABC will continue to retain first choice over the best of BBC drama and entertainment for another two years.

Good news, gang.

The ABC has renewed a deal with the BBC which gives it a first option on Drama, Light Entertainment (including Comedy), Natural History, Music & Arts and Religion for the next two years.

The deal was stitched up at MIPCOM in Cannes.

The broadcaster will continue to have first choice over its popular shows including Spooks (pictured), Doctor Who, Dalziel and Pascoe and Silent Witness.

“We have an exceptional relationship with ABC TV and we are looking forward to strengthening it further as we develop our business in this key territory,” commented Julie Dowding, BBC Worldwide’s Sales Director, Australasia.

“Strong British content continues to be a major attraction for Australian viewers, and it has always captured the imagination of our audiences. We’re very pleased to have renewed our deal,” added Marena Manzoufas, ABC TV’s Head of Programming.

BBC Worldwide recently took over the UK TV channel, and is part owner of Freehand Productions which produces Top Gear Australia, Outback Wildlife Rescue and The Nest.

Press Release:
BBC Worldwide Australia and ABC TV have renewed their first-option agreement in advance of this year’s Mipcom television market in Cannes.

The deal, which covers Drama, Light Entertainment, Natural History, Music & Arts and Religion titles, allows ABC TV a first-look at content across these genres within the BBC Worldwide catalogue.

The agreement has been renewed for a further two years.

“We have an exceptional relationship with ABC TV and we are looking forward to strengthening it further as we develop our business in this key territory,” commented Julie Dowding, BBC Worldwide’s Sales Director, Australasia.

“Audiences here in Australia associate BBC Worldwide with top-quality content, and it’s fantastic that we can continue to make our programming so accessible via the first-option agreement.”

“Strong British content continues to be a major attraction for Australian viewers, and it has always captured the imagination of our audiences. We’re very pleased to have renewed our deal,” added Marena Manzoufas, ABC TV’s Head of Programming.

BBC Worldwide distributes content not only from the BBC but from a wide range of British independent production companies. Its Sales & Distribution business accounts for around half of the UK’s total television exports, with around 40,000 hours of programming sold in the last year.

8 Responses

  1. I was wondering about David Royal, his bio is small and it said he retired due to illness. I enjoy his part on Dalziel & Pascoe. Alot of my favorite shows are British

  2. To PJ: sport is not included in the BBC output deal and Australian networks have to negotiate directly with individual sport organisation even though some sporting events are shown in Britain on the BBC. For example, All England Tennis Club for TV rights to Wimbledon, Royal & Ancient Golf Club for British Open golf, and Formula One Constructors Association for F1.

  3. PJ..

    BBC can’t onsell the F1 coverage as they only have the British rights, not worldwide rights to onsell. F1 also being a ‘Bernie’ production, rather than a BBC one. Bernie sells the rights individually to countries increasing his own return.

    Also the BBC agreement for F1 begins ’09. Brundle confirmed to move over from ITV, with Coulthard having a role also.

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