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The British Television Distributors Association (BTDA) has announced
a 6.6 per cent increase on last year's TV exports bringing this
year's total to $666 million (calendar year 2002), compared to 2001's
figure of $624 million.
An official release informs that BBC Worldwide's total media exports
rose by 13 per cent to $362 million from last year's $322 million.
This accounted for 54 per cent of the total UK market
Chief Executive BBC Worldwide Rupert Gavin says; "Our on-going
success in the export market is due to our highly visible platforms
around the world, which have enabled us to build a substantial global
business. Key factors have been the launch of BBC channels, branded
blocks, the re-versioning of programmes such as The Weakest Link
and Top of the Pops for local markets, and joint venture
partnerships, driving significant business growth in key territories
such as the USA and Canada."
Across North America, BBC Worldwide has grown its business by 16.7
per cent, the release states. In addition to The Weakest Link
format sales around the world (Kamzor Kadii Kaun aired in
India on Star Plus), other major BBC properties that contributed
to the sales success include the internationally acclaimed factual
series, The Blue Planet which is airing in India on Discovery
and Walking with Beasts. Children's properties such as Teletubbies
and Tweenies continued to expand across media around the
world, and the drama series The Lost World proved to be an
international hit.
BTDA industry figures represent the best and most accurate measure
of Britain's TV exports. The process of aggregating industry numbers
was implemented by DCMS recommendations, following its enquiry into
the export business in 1999.
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