The BBC And Discovery Communications Sign New Partnership

- BBC World News, the BBC’s 24 hour international news and information channel, now available in the U.S.-

Today (January 25, 2006), BBC World Ltd announced a new long-term partnership agreement with Discovery Communications, to distribute the BBC World News channel in the U.S. The partnership builds upon the success of the BBC’s entertainment channel, BBC America, which is also distributed by Discovery.

BBC World News will be the sole international news channel in Discovery’s distribution portfolio, at a time when research studies* show a significant increase in demand from U.S. audiences for international news.

The BBC World News channel has access to the BBC’s unparalleled global newsgathering operation, enabling the channel to go beyond the sound bite to provide expert objective analysis of global issues affecting the world. In December 2005, the New York Daily News** reported that: "BBC World News is the best model out there for serious coverage in a tight TV format.”

BBC World News is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in 128 million homes in 200 countries but, until now, it has not been available in the U.S. BBC World’s Director of Distribution and Business Development, Jeff Hazell, commented: “Discovery Communications is the market leader, committed to delivering the highest quality channels and marketing support to the U.S. multi-channel industry. That experience, plus Discovery’s proven track record and considerable success with the BBC brand to date, will be invaluable in the roll-out of the BBC World News channel in the U.S.”

“U.S. consumers are ready for this unique news service - one that provides an impartial, global perspective on domestic and world events,” added Bill Goodwyn, president, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Discovery Networks, U.S. “We look forward to working with our distribution partners to deliver this compelling content in a 24/7 channel.”

*Source: PEW Research Centre June 2004 found that U.S. interest in international news has increased by 15% over 2002 levels
** Source: David Bainulli, the TV critic of the New York Daily News December 06, 2005

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‘Note to Editors’

BBC World News, the BBC’s commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel, is owned and operated by BBC World Ltd, a member of the BBC’s commercial group of companies.

BBC World News is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and reaches 271 million households (128 million 24-hour homes) and more than one million hotel rooms. BBC World News launched in its present format in 1995 and is funded by advertising and subscription.

BBC World News has had an agreement with the Public Television station WLIW since 1998, and through this arrangement, 30-minute BBC World News programs are shown daily on 229 PBS stations throughout the U.S.

Viewers can sample BBC World News programming on BBC America each weekday morning from 6am to 9am ET, in addition to a 30-minute program each weekday evening at 6pm ET.

BBC World News has access to 2,000 journalists, 250 foreign correspondents and more than 50 overseas newsgathering bureaus.

Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 160 countries and territories with 1.3 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI’s over 90 networks of distinctive programming represent 25 network entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Español, Discovery Kids En Español, Discovery HD Theater, FitTV, Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir), Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Real Time. DCI’s other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates 120 Discovery Channel Stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI’s ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company’s Founder and Chairman.


BBC America brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring razor-sharp comedies, provocative dramas, life-changing makeovers and news with a uniquely global perspective. BBC America pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. BBC America is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV.

For more information about BBC America visit www.bbcamerica.com.

Contact Information

Rebecca Britton

Press contact

BBC World Limited

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