BBC World News breaks 300 million distribution mark

BBC World News has increased the number of households it broadcasts in by more than 40 million over the past year.

Total distribution of the BBC’s international news channel now stands at more than 330 million households, following recent deals with Comcast in the US, TV4 in Sweden, ERT S.A. in Greece and D life, a major distribution deal with Disney in Japan.

Colin Lawrence, BBC World News commercial director, said it was a breakthrough year for the BBC’s international channel, adding that the BBC is determined to build on the progress. "We have focused on building deeper and stronger relationships with MSOs, as well as creating new partnerships, which may build the BBC World News brand footprint in strategic markets," he said. “It’s no coincidence we’ve made this progress in what has been a year of huge international news and events. In turbulent times, international audiences increasingly turn to the BBC and want news that they can trust."

Richard Porter, head of global news at the BBC, told Campaign Asia-Pacific in our May issue that focusing investment in Asia is an obvious decision given the strength of the story and the potential for audience growth.