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BBC America
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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 News.
HistoryBBC America was launched in March 1998. From the beginning it carried programming from the BBC and other British television channels, 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 the early days, the channel focused on repeats of popular lifestyle shows such as Changing Rooms and Ground Force. 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 removed from the schedule, the network faced a backlash which caught the attention of the media.
After CEO Paul Lee moved to ABC Family, the network appointed Bill Hilary from the Comedy Channel. He appointed Kathryn Mitchell to 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 availabilityBBC 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 DemandBBC 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.
iTunes StoreAs of Q2 2008, select BBC America Shows are available on Apple' iTunes Store.
BBC America HDAn HD version of BBC America is slated to debut in 2008, per promos now airing on the network.
ProgrammingThe following is a list of programming currently offered by the channel.
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 to their original broadcast length, though adult content is still edited. Some of the shows arent BBC produced programs, they are Channel 4 or ITV programs
Original ProgrammingBBC 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; Jekyll and most recently BBC World News America
NewscastsBBC America simulcasts news bulletins from its sister concern, BBC World News, 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 News. 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.
At 7-8pm ET and repeated at 10-11pm ET, BBC America airs BBC World News America, presented LIVE from Washington by Matt Frei. Katty Kay serves as Washington correspondent on the programme; Rome Hartman (formerly of CBS Evening News) is executive producer.
The network was in discussions to unveil a weekly news programme fronted by Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman. He was to introduce a synopsis of Newsnight items with an international aspect and was 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. An international edition of Newsnight debuted on Friday, February 29th in the 10pm time slot. It presents select stories from the week's UK Newsnight.
During major breaking news situations, the network will sometimes take BBC World News's coverage and pre-empt regular programming. The London Bombings in July 2005 were one such example. However, BBC World News 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, generally in lieu of BBC America).
See also
External links
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