Africa secures 300 hours of programming from BBC Studios

BBC Studios has announced at MIPTV that Africa has secured over 300 hours of programming from across its portfolio since the start of 2018, including a first time deal with TV-on-the-go service, DSTV NOW.

MultiChoice’s pay TV platform DSTV NOW’s first package deal with BBC Studios includes a mix of music and arts programming. With more than 100 hours acquired, key titles include Last Night Of The Proms, Art of Scandinavia, Shakespeare Uncovered and Il Divo: A Musical Affair: Live in Japan.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s public service broadcaster SABC recently snapped up more than 80 hours of programming across natural history, factual and children’s. Some of the titles procured include  Blue Planet II and Planet Earth II, the world’s biggest motoring show Top Gear S24 and pre-schooler’s favourite Go Jetters, all of which will premiere for the first time in the territory on free-to-air television.

SVOD service Iflix, concluded a second package deal since it launched last year, with more than 100 hours of drama and comedy programming for Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa), with Citizen Khan S1 – S5, Hustle S1 – S8, Undercover, The Aliens,The Refugees and Undercover all included in the deal.

Commenting on the audience in Africa, Joel Churcher, Vice President and General Manager for Africa, BBC Studios said: “Africa is a really exciting place to be in the television industry right now. We are seeing new and existing broadcasting platforms go from strength to strength. We are thrilled with the opportunities in the market that help us to bring the BBC’s award winning programming ranging from blockbuster natural history documentaries to educational children’s content, to a wider audience across the continent.”