BBC First finalises launch

BBC Worldwide (BBCWW) has added two more series to the line-up of forthcoming drama and comedy paynet BBC First and revealed the channel’s launch date in Australia.

Political thriller The Honourable Woman, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, and the second season of crime drama The Fall, featuring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan, will both air on the new network following its launch on August 3.

Australia is the first territory to get BBC First, one of three channels https://www.c21media.net/bbcww-to-scrap-global-iplayer unveiled by the UK pubcaster’s commercial arm last October.

It will be part of Foxtel’s drama and lifestyle tier and will carry shows at least 12 months before they are available to terrestrial broadcasters.

BBC First will launch at 09.30 with a box-set screening of all 10 episodes of The Musketeers, before moving on to Bafta-winning crime drama Peaky Blinders. The launch line-up will also include The Politician’s Husband, Burton & Taylor and two Alan Partridge mockumentaries, Welcome to the Places of My Life and Alan Partridge On Open Books with Martin Bryce.

Natalie Edgar, director of television for BBCWW Australia and New Zealand, said launching on a Sunday would give the network “the chance to reach as many viewers as possible on our first day.

“We wanted to mark this exciting occasion with a very special line-up for viewers which gives them a real taste of the channel and delivers content to them in a way we know they like to enjoy it.”

Edgar added that the channel would be providing more “binge viewing” opportunities to viewers in the future.