BBC Worldwide announced at MIPCOM 2017 that it has concluded a content sales
agreement with African SVOD service Showmax.
The mixed-genre package – in excess of 150 hours of natural history, drama and
factual entertainment programming – will be available to Showmax subscribers in 36
African countries.
Joel Churcher, vice president and general manager for Africa, BBC Worldwide, says, “I
am delighted that Showmax subscribers across the African continent will soon have
access to some of the most loved and much talked about shows from the BBC and
leading UK independents through this new agreement. BBC Worldwide has a deep
catalogue of premium content which we can offer across all platforms to ensure
African audiences can view our world class content whenever and wherever they
choose.’
Key shows that Showmax subscribers can look forward to include:
• Planet Earth II: Seen by 34 million people in the UK and one of the most
talked about natural history series in recent years, Planet Earth II reveals our
planet from a completely new perspective. Ten years on from the original series,
advances in both filming technology and our understanding of the natural world allows
viewers to experience the world from the viewpoint of animals themselves. Travelling
through jungles, deserts, mountains, islands, grasslands and cities, this series
explores the unique characteristics of Earth’s most iconic habitats and the
extraordinary ways animals survive within them.
• Call the Midwife Series 4-6: Voted “The Best Drama of the 21st century’ in a
British Film Institute and Radio Times Audience poll, Call the Midwife follows
the triumphs and tribulations of the nurses and nuns from the Nonnatus House
convent as they work in the poverty-stricken East End of London.
• The Durrell’s Series 1 & 2: This charming and hugely popular series follows
the adventures of the eccentric Durrell family as they embrace life on a gorgeous
Greek island of Corfu in the 1930’s. Based on Gerald Durrell’s much-loved Corfu
trilogy, the series sees sparky widow Louisa Durrell and the family adjust to their new
life, face a whole new set of challenges and meet new friends, rivals, lovers – and
animals.
• The Collection: A tale of secrets, lies and high fashion from writer Oliver
Goldstick (Desperate Housewives). Set in 1947, the series tracks a pivotal
moment in France’s history when fashion became a vehicle for transformation and
reinvention.
• Special Forces: Ultimate Hell Week Series 1 & 2: In this action-packed
series, 29 super fit men and women take on the challenge of their lives when they
have to endure 12 days straight of physical and mental endurance, masterminded by
some of the world’s toughest special forces operatives, to discover who can survive
and ultimately win. Series 2 sees all the action take place in South Africa.
Chris Savides, head of Showmax Africa, says: “BBC shows are a cornerstone of our
content lineup and have played a major part in propelling Showmax from a standing
start two years ago to one of the most popular internet TV services in Africa. This deal
is great news for our subscribers and with their continued support we’re looking
forward to adding even more BBC content in the future.’
