❮
❯
TRENDING
March 7, 2024
BBC Entertainment to Cease Operations in All Markets
Background: BBC Entertainment replaced BBC Prime in the rest of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa in November 2009. In line with a strategic shift towards content sales to other linear and OTT platforms, BBC Worldwide announced the cessation of transmissions for BBC Entertainment, along with BBC Earth and CBeebies, in Latin American countries in April 2017.
Further
adjustments occurred with the launch of BBC First in selected Asian regions on
March 19, 2016. Subsequent to this, broadcasts ceased in specific regions on
different dates, such as Singapore via Starhub TV on April 29, 2015, and in
Hong Kong, Thailand, and Indonesia on January 1, 2017. Myanmar and Mongolia saw
broadcasts end on March 1, 2018, while Taiwan ceased broadcasts on March 10,
2017, subsequently being replaced by CBeebies. By K Dass.
UK - BBC
Entertainment, the international television channel known for broadcasting
comedy, drama, light entertainment, reality, and children’s programming (in
some regions only) from the BBC, is set to cease
operations in all markets on March 31, 2024.
While it’s the end of an
era for BBC Entertainment, the BBC Studios plans to continue serving local
audiences in the EMEA region through bespoke genre channels, expanding their
digital service with BBC Player, and offering a suite of FAST channels. Additionally,
BBC programs will still be accessible through local free-to-air broadcasters,
pay-TV networks, and digital platforms in the region.
BBC
Entertainment, which launched in 2006 as a replacement for BBC Prime, has
entertained audiences across the globe.
The closure
of BBC Entertainment across all markets on March 31, 2024 is a significant
decision. While the specific reasons for this closure have not been explicitly
stated in the available information, it’s common for media companies to
periodically review their channel portfolios and make strategic adjustments
based on factors such as viewership trends, changing consumer preferences,
operational costs, and market dynamics.
BBC Studios, the production
and distribution arm of the BBC, aims to continue serving local audiences in
the EMEA region through other means, including bespoke genre channels, digital
services like BBC Player, and a suite of FAST channels. Additionally, BBC
programs will still be accessible through local free-to-air broadcasters,
pay-TV networks, and digital platforms in the region.
