Multi Screen Media Pvt Ltd (MSM) and BBC Worldwide have entered into a joint venture to bring BBC Earth, a new premium factual channel, to the Indian audiences.
The channel will be called Sony BBC Earth on air and will broadcast in HD. It will be available in Tamil, English and Hindi across India.
BBC Earth is home to the BBC’s award-winning factual programmes and the work of some of the world’s foremost factual film makers.
It showcases the wonders of universe, from the smallest creature under the microscope to the limitless expanses of space and brings viewers face to face with action and ideas.
Both the formation of the joint venture as well as the launch of Sony BBC Earth is subject to necessary regulatory approvals in India, for which the process is currently underway.
NP Singh, CEO, MSM, “Sony BBC Earth is a joint venture between Multi Screen Media and BBC Worldwide, with MSM owning the majority stake.This partnership with BBC Worldwide gives us an edge in distributing factual programming to viewers across MSM’s network in India and to sharing with them, some of the best television content ever.”
MSM said it will be putting together a whole new team to scale-up the joint venture with BBC Worldwide. This team will handle the programming, marketing, operations as well as sales and distribution of the channel.
Paul Dempsey, President, BBC Worldwide Global Markets, said: “This is a pioneering model for us. By working with a respected local partner of the calibre of MSM, we can bring BBC Earth’s world-class content to a new audience who we know have a huge appetite for premium factual programming.”