Dates set for BBC Canada and BBC Kids launches

The launch dates for two of BBC Worldwide's new international services BBC Canada and BBC Kids have been set: September 7 and November 5, respectively.

BBC Canada will air drama, sitcom, telefilms, lifestyle and light entertainment, with BBC Kids concentrating on children's shows, both live-action and animation.

The entertainment channel's launch line-up will include a mix of in-house and independently-supplied shows like The Vicar of Dibley, Coupling, The Royle Family, Judge John Deed, Silent Witness, Later with Jools Holland, Casualty, Waking the Dead, The Sins, EastEnders, Rhona, Two Pints of Lager (And a Packet of Crisps Please) and The Cazalet Chronicles.

BBC Kids' launch line-up will include Tweenies, the new Bill & Ben, Binka, Belfry Witches, William's Wish Wellingtons, No Sweat and Aquila.

Both channels are 50:50 joint ventures with Alliance Atlantis and the BBC's Canadian holding company Worldwide Channel Investments (Ontario) Limited. Both services will be marketed and distributed by Alliance Atlantis and will be financed by advertising and pay-TV subscriptions.

They are required by the CRTC to include up to 35% Canadian content by the third year of operation.

{The channels provide an excellent platforms for British talent, both in terms of producers and on-screen talent,{ said BBC Worldwide's ceo Rupert Gavin.

He added that the two new offerings were an important part of BBC Worldwide's {ambitious global strategy for commercial TV stations around the globe{ – which already includes BBC Prime in Europe BBC America in the US, and the joint-venture channels with Discovery.