(6 October 2008 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: UK pubcaster BBC's commercial arm BBC Worldwide has announced plans today to launch a portfolio of BBC-branded thematic channels into Scandinavia.

The channels will be available through Canal Digital, the largest pay TV operator in the Nordic region, from early December 2008.

BBC HD will make its European debut together with standard definition channels, BBC Knowledge, a new channel for the Nordic region.

Existing channels in the market, BBC Food and the general entertainment channel BBC Prime will be refreshed and rebranded as BBC Lifestyle and BBC Entertainment.

The four channels will be scheduled and tailored specifically for each country in the Nordic market and will broadcast with local subtitling.

The channels will provide a BBC-branded home for award-winning and high-quality programming, and will build on the popularity and appetite for BBC content in the region.

BBC Worldwide Channels MD Darren Childs says, "This announcement is another significant step in our ambition to extend the BBC-branded channels business around the world. Scandinavia is an important region for us and we have committed a significant investment in the territory for the future through the launch of these dedicated channel feeds."

BBC Worldwide Channels GM, senior VP Europe, Middle East and Africa Dean Possenniskie says, "Our plan to roll out these channels across Scandinavia follows eight other successful channel launches in EMEA this year.

"Scandinavia has always been a priority market for us with local audiences here clearly identifying with the BBC brand and already enjoying the quality programming that the BBC has to offer. I am also delighted that our partnership with Canal Digital will allow us to broadcast BBC HD for the first time in Europe.

"Scandinavia is one of the most advanced television markets in Europe and the fact that we have an agreement with Canal Digital to add three SD channels to their offering is testament to the quality and potential of our channels business."

Telenor Broadcast Holding CEO Christian Albech says, "Canal Digital has been in the forefront of introducing HD in Nordic countries. As the leading TV-distributor in the region we are pleased to be the first to offer BBC HD to our subscribers.

"BBC sets the standard for quality programming, and with the new channel BBC HD, this attractive content will now be offered in the best quality available."

"BBC and Canal Digital have a solid relationship as partners in the Nordic region. With the launch of BBC Worldwide’s re-branded portfolio of BBC HD, BBC Entertainment, BBC Lifestyle and BBC Knowledge we continue to strengthen this relationship."