(1 December 2008 3:00 pm)

MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide has announced the launch of BBC Knowledge on CJ HelloVision, South Korea’s digital cable platform.

This new distribution agreement will see BBC Knowledge broadcast into over 650,000 homes in South Korea on the platform’s basic digital tier.

BBC Worldwide Channels Asia senior VP, GM Christine Leo-McKerrow says, “South Korea is a crucial part of our channels expansion strategy in Asia. I am confident the BBC’s acclaimed and award-winning non-fiction and factual programming, combined with CJ HelloVision’s strong distribution network, will make BBC Knowledge a choice destination for viewers in Korea.”

BBC Knowledge showcases the BBC’s factual and non-fiction entertainment programming.

Through the deal, CJ HelloVision’s digital subscribers can look forward to a variety of factual entertainment from the world’s foremost producer of non-fiction and documentary programming, including the latest series of Top Gear – the BAFTA and multi-NTA and Emmy Award-winning BBC series watched by over 150 million households in more than 100 countries.

BBC Knowledge viewers will also be able to armchair travel with Italian aristocrat, architect and historian Francesco de Mosto as he celebrates the art and beauty of Italy from an Italian point of view on Francesco’s Italy - Top to Toe.

CJ HelloVision CMO Jin-Seok Kim says, "We are delighted to have a partnership with BBC Worldwide Channels in providing a high quality non-fiction channel on our platform.

“With BBC Worldwide’s expertise as a worldwide entertainment group, we are confident that BBC Knowledge will help to make CJ HelloVision’s digital channel line-up even stronger and more competitive."

Since its launch in Asia in July 2007, BBC Knowledge has expanded. It is now carried by cable and satellite operators in Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong as well as Poland, South Africa, Australia and will launch in Scandinavia in December.

Other BBC channels available in South Korea via satellite operator Skylife are BBC Entertainment (Skylife Channel 334) and BBC World News (Skylife Channel 528.) BBC Knowledge is also available as a branded block on Science TV every week night during prime time, from 8 pm to 10 pm.