The refreshed, BBC Entertainment channel is aimed at the upscale English-speaking Indian audience, with a schedule designed to mirror their daily routines.
BBC Worldwide Channels Asia senior vice president and general manager Mark Whitehead commented, “The Indian pay TV market possesses significant scale and its future potential for advertising is vast. India has been identified as a key market for the growth of our Asian business, and we have been working to create a unique channel destination for local viewers. The all-new BBC Entertainment channel has been specifically designed for the market after much local research and we are incredibly excited about its prospects. ”
BBC Worldwide Channels director South Asia Deepak Shourie added, “India, with its large English-speaking population, high level of BBC brand recognition and strong affinity with the UK, is a significant market for us. The refreshed channel, with its unique, award-winning and top-rated programmes will deliver some much-desired audience segments to advertisers in India.”
Sporting the tagline Seriously Entertaining, BBC Entertainment features a programming line up showcasing the best of British television, including factual, lifestyle and drama and comedy programmes.
Mornings on BBC Entertainment are dedicated to lifestyle shows, designed to inspire ideas for home and design, fashion, and cooking. The line up includes Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey, , Rhodes Across Italy Colin and Justin’s Home Heist.
From late morning to early evenings, entertainment programmes such as Gok’s Fashion Fix, Hotel Babylon, and Grand Designs will be aired. Primetime family viewing will include a mix of programmes, such as Sherlock and Human Planet. After 10pm, the channel airs contemporary entertainment such as Top Gear, The Graham Norton Show, and Spooks.
The brand new BBC Entertainment channel is available on cable and DTH in India.
