MIPTV 2012 – CANNES. Jana Bennett, president worldwide networks and Global BBC iPlayer, today confirmed the network’s commitment to stage two global television events.
London Calling and Planet Earth Live will run simultaneously across the BBC channels around the world, showcasing the very best of British programming and UK talent to the World.
London Calling is a season of programmes that celebrate the music, fashion, art, culture and history of Britain’s capital city. The season will be led by live coverage from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Planet Earth Live is “the biggest live wildlife broadcast ever undertaken by the BBC.” It is an ambitious project which is the result of over ten years of innovation in techniques and formats at the BBC Natural History Unit.
Planet Earth Live will bring real animals and their everyday dramas to a global audience in real time. Viewers will witness first-hand these incredible animals’ struggle for survival in this animal soap opera, where nature writes the script.
Jana Bennett said, “By creating synchronised broadcasts, we unite our viewers around the world and give them a real appointment to view. Ours is the only network in the world which can deliver such massive global moments to an international audience and is what made our coverage of The Royal Wedding last year so successful. This year I want to go bigger and bolder.
“Planet Earth Live and London Calling will enable our audiences to feel part of a truly global viewing experience – whether it be witnessing the wonder of nature as it unfolds before them or revelling in the celebrations taking place across London without ever having to leave the comfort of their living room.”
London Calling will air between June and August on the various international BBC channels, depending on territory and distribution and on BBC World News (global). The season will also be available to users of BBC.com and to users of the global BBC iPlayer but will vary territory by territory.
BBC Worldwide is also bringing two TV series on its international channels closer to the original broadcast dates in the UK. Top Gear and the Graham Norton Show will now air soon after the first UK airing. “We know that people are downloading these shows, legally or illegally,” said Bennett.
