BBC Entertainment

Last updated

BBC Entertainment
BBC Entertainment 2011.svg
Broadcast areaEurope
Middle East
Africa
South Asia
Asia Pacific
Latin America
Programming
Picture format 1080i HDTV
Ownership
Owner BBC
Parent BBC Studios
Sister channels CBeebies
BBC World News
BBC Lifestyle
BBC Earth
BBC HD
BBC First
BBC Brit
History
Launched1 October 2006;18 years ago (2006-10-01)
Replaced BBC Prime
Closed1 March 2010;14 years ago (2010-03-01) (Italy)
30 November 2012;11 years ago (2012-11-30) (India)
1 February 2015;9 years ago (2015-02-01) (Poland)
13 April 2015;9 years ago (2015-04-13) (Nordic Regions)
1 September 2015;9 years ago (2015-09-01) (Africa)
1 October 2015;9 years ago (2015-10-01) (Malaysia)
1 January 2016;8 years ago (2016-01-01) (Central Eastern Europe)
1 November 2016;8 years ago (2016-11-01) (Hong Kong & Singapore)
10 March 2017;7 years ago (2017-03-10) (Taiwan)
13 April 2017;7 years ago (2017-04-13) (Latin America)
31 March 2024;7 months ago (2024-03-31)
Replaced by BBC Brit
BBC Earth (Central and Eastern Europe)
BBC First (Hong Kong & Singapore)
CBeebies (Taiwan)
Links
Website www.bbcentertainment.com

BBC Entertainment was an international television channel that broadcast comedy, drama, light entertainment, reality and children's programming (some regions only) from the BBC, Channel 4 and other UK production houses. The channel broadcast regional versions to suit local demands and replaced BBC Prime in a gradual rollout from 2006 to 2009. It was wholly owned by BBC Studios.

Contents

History

The channel was launched in October 2006, replacing BBC Prime in Asian markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and South Korea. On 28 December 2006, it was launched on the Astro platform in Malaysia. The channel was launched in India in May 2007 on the Tata Sky platform and on India online Broadband Public Limited, but ceased broadcasting at the end of November 2012 due to "commercial considerations". [1]

The channel was launched in Poland, on Cyfrowy Polsat, in December 2007, and replaced BBC Prime on DStv in South Africa on 1 September 2008. It was launched together with its sister channels (BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle and BBC HD) in the Nordic countries in November 2008, when it replaced BBC Prime on Canal Digital, Com Hem, Telia Digital-TV and FastTV. The Nordic countries get a separate feed of the channel which differs from that in the rest of Europe. It was also launched in Mexico on the SKY México digital satellite platform in August 2008 in a two-channel deal with Televisa that also included a localized CBeebies, and it has since extended to other Central and South American countries. [2]

The channel replaced BBC Prime in the rest of Europe and the Middle East & North Africa in November 2009, a move announced in August 2009 that enabled the completion of the rollout of the new brand. [3] In Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland, BBC Entertainment is carried alongside BBC One and BBC Two on the Telenet, Ziggo, and Naxoo cable networks.

On 1 December 2009, Astro dropped the channel and replaced it with ITV Choice. On 1 March 2010 in Italy Sky Italia also dropped the channel. In 2010 Kabel Deutschland (Germany) made it a pay-TV channel.

In August 2012, Unifi picked up the channel, thus making the channel available in Malaysia once more after a 3-year hiatus. However Unifi dropped the channel on 1 October 2015 and was replaced by BBC First after 1 year. It ceased broadcasting on 1 January 2016 in CEE, and it was replaced by BBC Earth.

In January 2017, BBC Worldwide announced BBC Entertainment would cease its transmissions in Latin American countries, along with BBC Earth and CBeebies, in April 2017. The shutdown was motivated by a push towards content sales to other linear and OTT platforms. [4]

Finally, BBC First was launched in some Asian regions on 19 March 2016. Singapore Via Starhub TV broadcasts ceased on 29 April 2015, while in Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia, broadcasts ceased on 1 January 2017. In Myanmar and Mongolia, broadcasts ceased on 1 March 2018. In Taiwan, broadcasts ceased on 10 March 2017 and were replaced by CBeebies.

The channel shut down its last feed on 31 March 2024, with similar motivations to the decision taken in Latin America. [5]

Programming

This table is not complete

Programme nameFormat / GenreFirst broadcastFirst seen on
BBC Entertainment
A Question of Sport Quiz show1970–
Absolutely Fabulous Sitcom1992–2012
After You've Gone Sitcom2007–2008April 2013
Alan Carr: Chatty Man Comedy chat show2009–2017March 2013
Antiques Roadshow Documentary1979–
As Time Goes By Sitcom1992–2005March 2013
Bargain Hunt Game Show2000–
Bedlam Supernatural drama2011–2012
Being Erica Comedy drama2009–2011May 2013
Big Barn Farm Children's TV2008–
Blue Peter Children's TV1958–April 2016
Casualty Medical drama1986–April 2013
Coast Travel2005-2021December 2012
Come Dine with Me Cooking2005–
Doctors Soap opera2000–March 2013
Doctor Who Sci-fi drama1963–89; 2005–February 2013
Dragons Den Entrepreneurial reality TV2005–
EastEnders Soap opera1985–February 2013
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Reality TV2003–2012
Fawlty Towers Sitcom1975–1979May 2015
Full Circle Michael Palin Travel documentary1997March 2013
The Graham Norton Show Comedy2007–October 2016
Grandpa in My Pocket Children's TV comedy2009–2014
Holby City Medical drama1999–2022
Humf Children's TV2009–11
Hustle Drama2004–2012
Ideal Comedy drama2005–2011March 2013
Lark Rise to Candleford Period drama2008–2011April 2013
Lead balloon comedy2007–2011March 2013
Live at the Apollo Standup comedy2004–March 2013
Luther Psychological crime drama2010–2011March 2013
Masterchef (UK) Cooking2005–March 2013
Merlin drama2008–2012September 2014
Monarch of the Glen Drama2000–2005March 2013
Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work Documentary2007
My Family Sitcom2000–2011February 2013
New Tricks Crime drama2003–March 2013
Ocean Giants Natural history2011
Of Better or WorseDrama sitcom2005–2019May 2013
One Foot in the Grave Sitcom1990–2000November 2012
Orphan Black Drama2013–2017
Penelope K, by the way Children's TV2010–2012
Sahara with Michael Palin Travel documentary2005May 2013
The Secret Millionaire Reality TV2006–May 2013
Silk Legal crime drama2011–May 2013
Smart sharks Natural history2003
South Pacific Nature documentary2009
Spooks Drama2002–2011May 2013
Still Open All Hours Comedy2013–2019March 2024
Strictly Come Dancing Talent show2004–October 2016
Top Gear Motoring/Entertainment2002–2022
Twenty Twelve Comedy2011–2012November 2012
Ty's Great British Adventure Reality TV2008–2010
The Underground Sketch comedy2006
The Voice UK Talent show2012–May 2016
Waking the Dead Police procedural drama2000–2011February 2013
Walking with Dinosaurs Documentary1999
Walk on the Wild Side Comedy2009–April 2013
Waybuloo Children's TV2009–2012
Weakest Link Game show2000–2012; 2017; 2021–January 2013
Would I Lie to You? Comedy2007–October 2016
Waterloo Road Drama2006–2015; 2023–
Yes Minister Political satire1980–1984

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CBeebies</span> British childrens television network broadcast internationally

CBeebies is a British free-to-air public broadcast children's television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is also the brand used for all BBC content targeted for children aged six years and under. Its sister channel, CBBC, is intended for older children aged six to twelve. It broadcasts every day from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, timesharing with BBC Four.

The BBC is forbidden under its charter to directly undertake any commercial operations on-air within the United Kingdom; however, no such restriction applies to operations in other countries. Therefore, the BBC exploits its massive television archive by operating a number of commercial television channels outside the UK through its BBC Studios subsidiary.

Freesat is a British free-to-air satellite television service, first formed as a joint venture between the BBC and ITV plc and now owned by Everyone TV. The service was formed as a memorandum in 2007 and has been marketed since 6 May 2008. Freesat offers a satellite alternative to the Freeview service on digital terrestrial television, with a broadly similar selection of channels available without subscription for users purchasing a receiver.

Disney Branded Television is an American television production company and a unit of Disney General Entertainment Content which oversees development, production and acquisition of content geared towards children, teenagers and families for Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney Jr. and Disney XD. The unit also oversees Disney-branded unscripted series, documentaries and specials for Disney+ and the Disney channels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Animax (Asian TV channel)</span> Asian television network

Animax is an Asian pay television channel owned by KC Global Media Asia. The channel was originally owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, and took its name from the Japanese satellite TV network; which was then-majority owned by subsidiary Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan. The channel would be sold to its current owners on January 1, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BBC Knowledge (international)</span> Former international television channel

BBC Knowledge was a television channel available in various countries outside the United Kingdom, showcasing factual and non-fiction entertainment programming from the BBC and independent UK production houses. Wholly owned by BBC Studios, it is not related to the previous channel known as BBC Knowledge, an early digital channel available within the UK, which closed down in 2002 in favour of BBC Four and CBeebies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nat Geo Wild</span> Global television channel

National Geographic Wild is a global pay television network owned by National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company (73%) and the National Geographic Society (27%). The channel primarily focuses on wildlife and natural history non-fiction programming. It is a sister network to National Geographic TV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BBC Lifestyle</span> International television channel

BBC Lifestyle is an international television channel wholly owned by BBC Studios. The channel provides six programming strands: Food, Home & Design, Fashion & Style, Health, Parenting, and Personal Development.

Freeview is the name for the collection of free-to-air services on the digital terrestrial television platform in the United Kingdom. The service was launched at 5 am on 30 October 2002 and is jointly operated by its five equal shareholders – BBC, ITV, Channel 4, BSkyB and transmitter operator Arqiva. This article documents the history of the Freeview service, from its inception up to the present.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great! TV</span> British general entertainment channel owned by Narrative Entertainment UK Limited

Great! TV is a British-English language general entertainment channel in the United Kingdom owned by Narrative Entertainment UK Limited. It originally launched as Sony Entertainment Television on 7 April 2011. However, it was closed on 6 February 2018 and replaced by Sony Crime Channel. It was brought back for a second time on 10 September 2019 when it replaced True Entertainment. The relaunched Sony Channel had different idents and programming than the former due to inheriting some programming from its predecessor True Entertainment and on 25 May 2021, following Narrative Capital's acquisition of Sony's channels, it was rebranded as Great! TV.

Disney Jr. is a brand of children's television channels owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company, aimed at young children between two and seven years old. Since its American debut on February 14, 2011, the brand was launched worldwide. In most countries the channel was formerly known as Playhouse Disney.

BBC HD was an international high-definition television channel owned by BBC Studios. In many countries the channel has been replaced by other BBC Studios operations. At present, the channel is only available in selected cruise ships and within the maritime industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BBC First</span> International television channel owned by the BBC

BBC First is an entertainment subscription television channel featuring comedy, crime, drama and film programming, originating from UK and mostly from the BBC. The channel is wholly owned and operated by BBC Studios. The channel began rolling out internationally in 2014, launching first in Australia. It is supported by extended localised advertising breaks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BBC Brit</span> International television channel owned by the BBC

BBC Brit is an entertainment subscription television channel featuring factual entertainment programming. The channel is wholly owned and operated by BBC Studios. Originally set to roll out internationally in 2014, it was later announced it would launch in 2015, starting in Poland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BBC Earth (TV channel)</span> Documentary subscription television channel

BBC Earth is a documentary subscription television channel featuring premium factual programming. The channel is wholly owned and operated by BBC Studios. Originally set to roll out internationally in 2014, it was later announced that it would launch in 2015, starting in Poland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BritBox</span> Internet media streaming and video on demand service broadcasting British TV

BritBox is an online digital video streaming subscription service founded by BBC Studios and ITV which operates in eight countries across Australia, Europe, North America, and South Africa. In addition to original programming, it offers British television series and films, featuring current and past series as well as films supplied by Britain's major terrestrial broadcasters the BBC and ITV. BritBox is said to feature the biggest collection of British box sets available in one place, with additional original programming available from 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BBC Kids</span> Television channel

BBC Kids is the international children's brand of BBC Studios, and has been applied to a number of TV services. It draws from the long history of children's programming on the BBC, and is strongly related to the CBBC channel in the United Kingdom.

Warner Bros. Discovery International, formerly known as Turner Broadcasting System International and WarnerMedia International, is an international unit of Warner Bros. Discovery led by president Gerhard Zeiler. The division oversees the production, broadcasting and promotion of key WBD brands outside of the United States. These brands include Adult Swim, Animal Planet, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, HBO, TLC, TBS, TNT, and Warner TV, as well as Polish owned TVN Group channels and has a stake of some networks operated by CTV Speciality Television Inc., a joint venture between Bell Media and ESPN Inc. such as Discovery and Animal Planet.

References

  1. ↑ Davies, Will (2 November 2012). "BBC Pulls Plug on Two India Channels - India Real Time - WSJ". Blogs.wsj.com. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  2. ↑ "BBC Prime reborn as Entertainment". Variety. 18 August 2009. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  3. ↑ "BBCWW confirms Lat Am channels". C21 Media. 14 July 2008. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  4. ↑ "BBC Worldwide Latin America/US Hispanic announces the cease of operations of their pay TV channels as of April 2017 in Latin America". Produ. 5 January 2017. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  5. ↑ "BBC Entertainment confirms closure". Broadband TV News. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.