The British Broadcasting House is to bring more comedic action, nature and drama to Australian screens. And it’s not before time.
Speaking at a Pay TV conference held in Sydney yesterday, the head of BBC international programming confirmed a truckload of more “intelligent” content is on the horizon including the “groundbreaking ” Human Planet, and hit drama ‘Zen’, starring Rufus Sewell.
This is just part of the “Australian drama roll out starting in April,” Jana Bennett, BBC’s President of Worldwide Networks revealed.
“Intelligent programming is also on the up,” she added. UK TV exports to Australia grew 9 per cent last year alone and with the BBC invasion this looks set to gain added momentum.
And car fanatics, good news. There is to be more on location broadcasting like Top Gear Live winging its way to your screens.
Other comedy type shows like Live at the Apollo are also hotly tipped, as a “rebirth of physical comedy” has taken place, Bennett said.
Two new hit comedy shows commissioned by the BBC, Miranda and Mrs Brown’s Boys, an Irish comedy, are also looking to be run here.
For lovers of the old school, a modern remake of classic Upstairs, Downstairs is also flagged.
And for David Attenborough fans soon to arrive will be BBC Earth, a block of programming solely dedicated to nature and wildlife.
The broadcaster will be hoping these shows, which have proved enormous hits in the UK will receive the same treatment on this side of the world.
A stream of UK and European based thriller and crime series such as The Killing, a Danish series, Criminal Justice and Sherlock are also set to hit our screens here.
The BBC channels currently available on Foxtel include BBC Knowledge, Knowledge HD and World News.
