BBC America

BBC America

Ownership
Owner	BBC

BBC America is an American television network, owned and operated by BBC Worldwide, which was launched on March 29, 1998, available on both cable and satellite. It is one of two BBC branded channels broadcast in the United States, the other being global news channel, BBC World.

History

The channel launched in March 1998 and has always carried programming from the BBC and other British television networks, including comedy, drama, and lifestyle programmes. It has been said that the idea for BBC America began in a small room at the BBC Television Centre complex in West London. In its early beginnings, the channel focused on repeats of popular lifestyle shows such as Changing Rooms and Ground Force. But loyal British viewers tuned out due to the repeats. BBC America's head of programming later stated that it was important for the channel to establish a niche since non-UK viewers found the lifestyle shows appealing. The evening schedule is where most new programming would appear. When popular UK soap EastEnders was cancelled, the network faced a backlash which caught the attention of the media. Noted for its repeats, the channel lost some its core audience viewers. After CEO Paul Lee moved to ABC Family, the network appointed Bill Hilary from the Comedy Channel. He appointed Kathryn Mitchell in the newly created position of GM. Under Hilary's tenure, BBC America was restructured; it moved its main offices to New York City and saw its programming budget increase tremendously.

Distribution and availability

BBC America is distributed in association with Discovery Networks, the United States division of Discovery Communications and parent company of the Discovery Channel, which also handles the affiliate and advertising sales. Unlike the BBC's commercial-free domestic networks, which are supported through the licence fee, BBC America is wholly advertising-supported and its programs are interrupted by commercials.

Outside the U.S.

BBC America is also available in Bermuda on Bermuda CableVision's digital cable TV service.

On Demand

BBC America On Demand refers to a selection of BBC America programs available as video on demand programming on many U.S. digital cable systems. These video-on-demand programs are usually available for 2-4 weeks before being rotated out. These programs are offered commercial-free though some programs are interrupted for network promos.

BBC America HD

An HD version of BBC America is slated to debut in 2008, per promos now airing on the network.

Programming

The following is a sample of programming currently offered by the channel.

Current programming

• Afterlife*
• Bargain Hunt
• BBC World News America
• Cash in the Attic
• The Catherine Tate Show
• Changing Rooms
• Coupling (UK)
• Doctor Who
• Gordon Ramsay's The F Word*
• Hell's Kitchen (UK)*
• In The City*
• Hollyoaks*
• Hotel Babylon
• House Invaders
• How Clean Is Your House?* (UK Version)
• Life On Mars
• Little Britain
• The Mighty Boosh
• My Family
• The Naked Chef
• Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares*
• Robin Hood
• Top Gear (UK Version)
• Torchwood
• What Not to Wear
• Weakest Link (UK)

Former programming

• As Time Goes By
• Are You Being Served?
• The Avengers*
• Benny Hill
• EastEnders
• Goodness Gracious Me
• Hex*
• Keeping Up Appearances
• The Kumars at No. 42
• Monty Python's Flying Circus
• Murphy's Law
• My Hero
• So Graham Norton*
• Waterloo Road
• Wire in the Blood*
• Fawlty Towers
• Footballers' Wives*

Note: Programmes marked with * have not originally been broadcast by the BBC but were either original ITV, Channel 4 or Sky One productions.

Most of the non news programming is edited either for adult content or to allow for commercials. However, many comedy programs run in specially formatted 40-minute blocks that allow them to run unedited, though some with adult content are edited.

Original Programming

BBC America began producing its own shows and joint productions in 2004. This has included Sharpe's Challenge, part of the Sharpe series of TV movies and co-produced with ITV; also The State Within, a co-production with the BBC; and Jekyll.

Newscasts

BBC America simulcasts news bulletins from its sister concern, BBC World, a global news channel seen in 200 million homes around the world.

In the mornings (6-9am ET), the network airs a full, three-hour simulcast of BBC World. The simulcast consists of editions of BBC World News, World Business Report, Sport Today, Asia Today and a one-hour bulletin called World News Today.

In the evenings at 7-8pm ET and repeated at 10-11pm ET, BBC America airs BBC World News America, presented from Washington by Matt Frei. Katty Kay serves as Washington correspondent on the programme; Rome Hartman (formerly of CBS Evening News) is executive producer.

In the autumn of 2007, the network will unveil a weekly series called Paxman. The show will be fronted by Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman. He is to introduce a synopsis of Newsnight items with an international aspect and is expected to bring his brash interviewing style to bear on American politicians. "Jeremy Paxman is the sort of person that Americans will just eat up," Garth Ancier told the Financial Times.

During major breaking news situations, the network will sometimes take BBC World's coverage and pre-empt regular programming. The London Bombings in July 2005 were one such example. However, BBC World itself is not currently widely available in the U.S. as a separate channel (although it does appear on several cable systems throughout the United States).

See also

• List of DirecTV channels
• List of Dish Network channels

External links

• BBC America website
• Anglophenia - BBC America's blog
• BBC America On Demand Webpage