BBC partners Tata Sky to launch content in India

BBC Worldwide has announced its first VOD deal in India.  The deal, with the leading direct to home provider (DTH) , Tata Sky comprises of  SVOD and TVOD services and gives subscribers in eight metros in India,  access to the best of the BBC’s drama and comedy via ‘BBC On-Demand’, a branded property on Tata Sky’s platform. Viewers can now also access it online via their TVs, PCs, tablets and mobiles.

Programmes that will be available on the service include Luther, starring Idris Elba, who won a Golden Globe for his role as a brilliant but emotionally impulsive murder detective;  The Honourable Woman starring Maggie Gyllenhaal who won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of a powerful businesswoman haunted by events from her past in a thriller set in the Middle East; and Burton and Taylor, based on the legendary acting duo, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor  starring Dominic West  and  Helena Bonham Carter. Kickstarting the block with a classic hit Yes, Prime Minister, contemporary comedy, Citizen Khan and an endearing drama, Being Erica.

“In a study commissioned by BBC Worldwide earlier this year, we found that quality of content,  British humour, and a love of original British dramas were the top reasons why people, including Indians, enjoy British television programmes,” said Myleeta Aga, SVP and GM of BBC Worldwide in India.  “We are very excited to be working with Tata Sky to bring these award winning and high quality programmes, many never before seen in India, to Tata Sky’s subscribers, where they can access them anytime, anywhere.”

“We are very pleased to be partnering with BBC Worldwide to launch BBC-on-demand,” said Paolo Agostinelli, Chief Content Officer at Tata Sky. “Viewing habits and customer needs in the industry are evolving as fast as ever. We are committed to remain the best choice in the country when it comes to premium entertainment, which means we must be able to offer top branded content and the best viewing experience, including increasingly popular time-shifted and device-shifted binge viewing content. We are confident that this is only the start of a very fruitful relationship with BBC”.