BBC makes further in-roads into China with CCTV deal

MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC?s commercial arm BBC Worldwide has announced its latest co-production agreement with CCTV9 at MipTV, on ?Hidden Kingdoms?, the forthcoming series from the BBC?s Natural History Unit. The Chinese state broadcaster?s documentary channel had agreed its first ever co-production deals with BBC Worldwide last year, on science series ?Wonders of Life? and ?Generation Earth? and later on natural history title ?Africa?.

Billed as ?Pixar meets Life?, ?Hidden Kingdoms? is the untold story of the natural world?s most fascinating diminutive characters. From chipmunks in North America, to giant rhinoceros beetles in Tokyo and sengi in East Africa, the series looks at the challenges faced by the natural world?s mini-heroes.

BBC Worldwide president, global markets Paul Dempsey said, "We?re really excited about this groundbreaking new series from the NHU, and pleased to be working with CCTV9 once again. The support of CCTV9 on Hidden Kingdoms guarantees it a huge audience in China, and helps the NHU to create a memorable series that will resonate with viewers all around the world."

CCTV9 channel director Liu Wen commented, "The BBC?s Natural History Unit is renowned as a world-leader in its field, so we?re very happy to be taking this new title to viewers in China. It?s a unique project that brings something completely new to the genre, and we can?t wait to see the finished series."

BBC Worldwide has previously brokered a co-production for ?Wild China? (known in China as ?Beautiful China?), between the BBC?s Natural History Unit and CTV, a production company under CCTV. The series, distributed by BBC Worldwide, has been licensed to over 160 territories around the world.