BBC America is the BBC Worldwide owned-and-operated television network in the United States, which was launched on March 29, 1998, available on both cable and satellite. It is one of two BBC branded channels broadcast in the USA - the other being BBC World though in New York only.
| Current Ident | |
| Type | Satellite & Cable television network |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Availability | USA |
| Owner | BBC |
Launch date | March 29, 1998 |
Official website | www.bbcamerica.com |
History
Since its launch, in March of 1998, BBC America has carried programming from the BBC and other British television networks, including comedy, drama, and lifestyle programmes. During the daytime, the network shows repeats of comedies such as Benny Hill, home-improvement series like Changing Rooms and Cash in the Attic together with news bulletins from BBC World. The evening schedule is where most new programming appears.
Distribution
BBC America is distributed in association with Discovery Networks, the parent company of the Discovery Channel, which also handles the affiliate and advertising sales. Unlike the BBC's domestic networks which are supported through the licence fee, BBC America is wholly advertising-supported. Many comedy programs run in specially formatted 40-minute blocks that allow them to run unedited. Some shows with adult content are edited -- however, rear and top frontal nudity for women have been shown on the channel, as well as some swearing have been allowed. Brief frontal male nudity can also occasionally be observed in shows, mainly the wildy popular Footballers' Wives.
BBC America simulcasts news bulletins from BBC World with U.S. commercials inserted. Previously, only individual 30 minute bulletins were simulcast — but in October 2005, the network began airing a full three-hour simulcast of BBC World in the mornings (from 6-9 AM ET, 3-6 AM PT). The simulcast consists of 30-minute news bulletins, editions of World Business Report, Sport Today, Asia Today and BBC News Extra, and a one-hour bulletin called World News Today - anchored by George Alagiah. A 30 minute bulletin also airs in the evening at 6-630 p.m. ET (3-330 p.m. PT), generally presented by Mike Embley in the main London studio of BBC World with Katty Kay in Washington.
During major breaking news situations, the network will sometimes take BBC World's coverage and pre-empt regular programming. The London Bombings in July 2005 were one such example. BBC World is not currently widely available in the U.S. as a separate channel — although the channel announced in 2006 that it was seeking widespread distribution.
Other
BBC America caused dismay to some viewers when it dropped the soap opera EastEnders in October 2003, but it argued that the show was one of the channel's least popular, although EastEnders, along with other BBC programming, also appears on PBS stations.
Whats On & Productions
The network currently airs programs such as:
- The Office
- Are You Being Served?
- Keeping Up Appearances
- Benny Hill
- Coupling
- Monty Python's Flying Circus
- My Hero
- Ed vs. Spencer
- Cash in the Attic
- Little Britain
- Look Around You
- Bargain Hunt
- Waterloo Road
- Location, Location, Location
- Life On Mars
- The Avengers
- Father Ted
- So Graham Norton
- Whose Line Is It Anyway? (UK)
- The Saint
- Hex
- Spaced
- Footballers' Wives
- Bad Girls
- Mile High
Not all of these programs were originally aired by the BBC — many aired on either ITV, Channel 4 or Sky One.
In 2004, BBC America started making its own shows and co-productions. This includes Sharpe's Challenge, part of the Sharpe series of TV movies. The series was co-produced with ITV.
Outside of the US
BBC America is also available in Bermuda on Bermuda CableVision's digital cable TV service.
On Demand
BBC America On Demand refers to a selection of BBC America programs available as Video on demand programing on many US digital cable systems. These Video on demand programs are usually available for 2-4 weeks before being rotated out. These programs are offered commercial-free though some programs are interrupted for network promos.
Examples of Idents
-
One of several of the current BBC America idents, used since 2005.
External links
- BBC America website
- Anglophenia - BBC America's blog
- BBC America On Demand Webpage