BBC Kids and BBC Canada to launch this autumn

Two BBC branded channels, BBC Canada and BBC Kids, are scheduled to launch across Canada this autumn, as part of Alliance Atlantis's bouquet of eight new TV offerings.

The two BBC channels are the result of a deal between Alliance Atlantis (AAC) and the BBC's Canadian holding company Worldwide Channel Investments (Ontario) Limited. BBC Kids is still pending the approval of the BBC's board of governors and the DCMS.

The BBC will own 50% of both new channels, while AAC will market and distribute the digital subscription offerings from its Toronto headquarters. The channels will be financed by both subscription and advertising.

The two new channels will showcase the best of the BBC's children's shows, LE and drama, alongside Canadian content. The licences awarded by Canada's TV regulator CRTC stipulate at least 35% Canadian material.

{Building on the success of BBC Prime and BBC America, set to reach 30m US homes in the next three years, BBC Worldwide is pursuing an ambitious strategy for commercial TV channels,{ said Rupert Gavin, BBC Worldwide's ceo.

Also in AAC's bouquet of new channels is National Geographic Channel, a co-venture with NGC Network International; and DIY Canada, which is jointly owned with the EW Scripps Company and Corus Entertainment.

AAC has also paired with Corus for one of three upcoming movie channels, Showcase Classics. Two other movie offerings, Showcase Action and Showcase Romance, plus the Health Network Canada, are wholly-owned by Alliance Atlantis.

The remaining new channel is the Independent Film Channel. AAC recently applied to the CRTC for permission to acquire control of this channel, after its recent purchase of licence-holder Salter Street Films.

Of the eight new channels, Health Network Canada and The Independent Film Channel are both Category 1 services, meaning cable carriage is guaranteed.

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