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The BBC, BBC Worldwide and Discovery Communications have
announced that an agreement on "the deal of the decade"
has been reached. This is a ten-year extension to the global
partnership which originally commenced in July 1997 and
was signed in March 1998. The partnership was to conclude
at the end of the year.
An
official release informs that the new agreement extends
the deal to 2012. The BBC/DCI relationship claims to be
unique in terms of scale and longevity within world broadcasting.
When the original agreement was signed the parties anticipated
only a five year renewal. The alliance between the broadcasters
had been formed to develop television channels and factual
programming for the global marketplace, the release states.
The
joint venture has three main elements: the co-production
of high quality factual programming; the development of
jointly-owned television channels around the world, and
developing and distributing BBC America. It claims distribution
in more than 26 million homes.
The
BBC Sales Company licenses, co-produces and distributes
factual programming in the United States and Canada on behalf
of the BBC and DCI the release states. The BBC/DCI joint
venture further monetises these award-winning programmes,
through publishing and merchandising, creating multi-million
dollar properties that allow for greater investment in high
quality programming.
Speaking
on this DG BBC Greg Dyke said: "When this partnership was
formed, the BBC aimed to be part of the greatest creative
force in factual broadcasting globally. Our alliance with
DCI means that outstanding programmes such as The Blue
Planet and Walking With Dinosaurs have been shared
and enjoyed by individuals, families and communities in
countries right around the world. This is a powerful service
we will continue to build over the next ten years."
Chief executive, BBC Worldwide, Rupert Gavin said: "The
partnership with Discovery is a clear indication of how
a global partnership such as this builds value and allows
for significant re-investment in programming, to the benefit
of the UK licence payer."
President
and COO DCI Judith A. McHale said: "Strategic partnerships
like the BBC/DCI joint venture are a central element of
Discovery's growth strategy in the years to come. The complementary
expertise of the two organisations allows for cost sharing,
creative balance and increased distribution, which gives
Discovery a significant competitive advantage in the domestic
and international marketplace."
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