Foxtel and Multi Channel Network (MCN) have renewed their respective content and sales advertising agreements with BBC Studios.
For Foxtel, the deal includes securing British drama, entertainment, documentaries, natural history, children’s programming and news for Foxtel’s broadcast and on demand platforms.
The deal includes the launch of a new channel, BBC Earth, a documentary channel which will feature "inspiring and passionate experts" in their field, including existing natural history series' featuring Sir David Attenborough.
This channel will replace BBC Knowledge later this year. BBC Studios will also provide thousands of additional hours of on demand content a year, available to viewers through the New Foxtel Experience user interface.
“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," Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany says.
“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.”
The Foxtel-BBC agreement also provides first-run territory premiere rights for BBC lifestyle programming for viewing on Foxtel network channels and on demand offerings.
“We’re delighted to be continuing our successful partnership with Foxtel, bringing Australian viewers the BBC channels and programs they love, and giving them the opportunity to consume them in the way they want to," BBC Studios managing director Jon Penn says.
The partnership also sees MCN, Foxtel's sales arm, represent BBC Studios television and on-demand properties for BBC First, BBC UKTV, and the new BBC Earth Channel.
“MCN has had a strong and rewarding partnership with BBC Studios for many years, and I am thrilled we will continue to represent this powerhouse of content," MCN CEO Mark Frain says.
"The new Foxtel Experience and BBC Studios’ vast volume of on-demand content, coupled with MCN’s focus on building effective ad models, will allow us to provide new advertising opportunities to brands beyond what the market has ever seen before.”
MCN is currently reviewing its brand to bring to closer to parent Foxtel.
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