Along with BBC Earth, Foxtel will carry BBC First, BBC UKTV, CBeebies, and BBC World News.
Foxtel is to launch the BBC Earth documentary channel as part of a content refresh for the 24-year relationship between the Australian pay-TV operator and BBC Studios.
As well as natural history, the content deal encompasses British drama, entertainment, documentaries, children’s programming and news for Foxtel’s broadcast and on-demand platforms.
BBC Earth will replace BBC Knowledge later this year.
Commenting on the partnership, Patrick Delany, Foxtel CEO said: “For Foxtel, the new agreement is another step in ensuring we are future fit. Our integration of Netflix into the New Foxtel Experience dramatically increased on-demand content available through Foxtel.”
“This agreement provides a five-fold increase in BBC programming available on demand. It helps ensure we continue to deliver on our promise to provide customers with the best TV and on-demand content, all in one place.”
Jon Penn, Managing Director for BBC Studios added: “We’re delighted to be continuing our successful partnership with Foxtel, bringing Australian viewers the BBC channels and programmes they love and giving them the opportunity to consume them in the way they want to.
“As an added bonus, viewers will be getting a new channel dedicated to the BBC’s premium documentaries, offering some of the greatest natural history series ever produced.”
BBC Earth will feature David Attenborough documentaries from the BBC Natural History production unit, alongside science programming, adventure series and human stories from experts including Louis Theroux, Michael Mosley, Kate Humble and Professor Brian Cox.
Along with BBC Earth, Foxtel will carry BBC First, BBC UKTV, CBeebies, and BBC World News.
Jamie Chambers, Regional Director ANZ, BBC World News and BBC.com noted: “In a world where media diversity and access to a range of viewpoints is more important than ever, as the leaders in global breaking news we are pleased the partnership continues to offer Foxtel’s audiences access to BBC World News’ independent, impartial and trusted journalism.”
The Foxtel-BBC agreement also provides first-run territory premiere rights for BBC lifestyle programming for Foxtel network channels and on-demand offerings.
BBC Studios will continue its partnership with Foxtel’s advertising sales arm, Multi-Channel Network (MCN), for the broadcaster’s advertising sales representation in Australia. The partnership sees MCN represent BBC Studios television and on-demand properties for BBC First, BBC UKTV and the new BBC Earth channel.
