BBC Worldwide to launch three channels in Malaysia

The corporation is launching BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle and children’s channel CBeebies in the market on 29 March. The three channels will be broadcast on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s (TM) HyppTV platform.

Announcing the launch, Mark Whitehead, senior vice president and general manager, BBC Worldwide Channels Asia, said: “We are excited to be part of TM’s project to bring broadband and IPTV to all of Malaysia.”

“Malaysia is an important market for BBC Worldwide and our partnership with TM builds on our commitment to bring great quality programming to more viewers in Asia,” he added.

TM’s IPTV service will be available to all its high-speed broadband and broadband subscribers free of charge from March until September 2010.

BBC Worldwide began selling advertising on BBC Knowledge last year. Its channels are already available to viewers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea and Australia.

Separately, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) has also signed a strategic partnership with TM to distribute the channel to Malaysian viewers on TM Net.

CNA is part of a bouquet on the basic tier by the pay-television service to be launched on 29 March. Debra Soon, MD of Channel NewsAsia, described Malaysia as a “significant” market for the channel.

Additionally, Travel Channel, Europe's leading travel broadcaster, will launch on TM Net from Monday.