BBC’s channels are ripe for expansion in Central and Eastern Europe, according to Salim Mukaddam, general manager and VP Central and Eastern Europe, BBC Worldwide.
Speaking to Broadband TV News at the annual BBC Worldwide Showcase in Liverpool, he added that currently, excluding Poland, the only one available in the region is BBC Earth.
It is localised in Romania, Hungary, Bosnia, Serbia and Slovenia and offered in its original form in the Baltics.
Mukaddam is responsible for TV, channel affiliate and format sales, including digital.
He said that BBC Worldwide is currently doing very well with digital sales in Russia, having signed on demand agreements with such providers as Okko, Ivi, Megogo and Rostelecom.
Furthermore, it is also investigating the possibility of introducing such channels as BBC First, BBC Earth, BBC Brit and Cbeebies in some form in the country.
Mukaddam added that BBC Worldwide has recently concluded agreements with – amongst others – Sony AXN (Hungary), HRT (Croatia), Viacom (Russia) and RTVS (Slovenia).
In terms of sales, shows such as Sherlock, Maigret, Planet Earth 2 and Top Gear have proved to be particularly successful.