BLUE ANT MEDIA AND BBC STUDIOS TEAM UP TO INTRODUCE BBC FIRST IN CANADA

Blue Ant Media unveiled a partnership with BBC Studios to expand BBC First in Canada. The service, debuting on 16th March, will offer varied programming, including British series.“Canadians love British television, and Blue Ant Media’s expanded partnership with BBC Studios underpins our commitment to invest in high-quality, distinctive programs we know our audiences will enjoy,” Jamie Schouela, President, Global Channels and Media, Blue Ant Media, said. “To celebrate the launch of BBC First, we’ve scheduled a month-long free preview event offering audiences the opportunity to watch their favorite U.K. series all in one place.”

BBC First marks the second joint venture between Blue Ant Media and BBC Studios. The broadcasters will first launch the factual channel BBC Earth in January 2017. BBC First will broadcast in Canada in HD on 16th March and will replace Blue Ant Media’s existing HIFI channel. BBC First is an ad-supported TV channel available for advertising and sponsorship opportunities to coincide with its launch in Canada.

BBC First will offer premium scripted and factual entertainment programming. The network will form part of Blue Ant Media’s Canadian cable television portfolio. BBC original series include "Top Gear," "Death in Paradise," "The Office," and "The Graham Norton Show."“The launch of BBC First continues our relationship with Blue Ant Media, a great partnership that has led to much success for BBC Earth in Canada,” Rebecca Glashow, President, BBC Studios, Americas, said. “They intuitively understand the BBC brand, in-market needs, and how to connect with audiences.”

The channel will launch with a rich catalog of globally-recognized brands, including factual entertainment BBC original series "Top Gear," "The Graham Norton Show," distributed by ITV. BBC First’s catalog includes season 1 of “The Office," the hit U.K series widely considered one of the most influential comedies of the 21st Century. Written by Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais, The Office is a British mockumentary following the day-to-day troubles of uninspired desk jockeys working at a mediocre paper company headed up by the white-collar boss, David Brent. Also premiering on BBC First for launch, season six of "Father Brown," the crime-busting, a charismatic priest who solves murders in the idyllic English countryside; season six of "Death in Paradise," among others.