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´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Canada, part of the commercial arm of the ´óÏó´«Ã½, today announced a significant acquisitions deal with long-standing partner, Knowledge Network. The deal, brokered by Linda Steele, Vice President, Sales and Co-Productions for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Canada, marks the largest ever program sale by the ´óÏó´«Ã½ to the Canadian public broadcaster. Earlier this year, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Canada and Knowledge Network formed a joint-venture for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Kids, and successfully relaunched the channel onto a commercial-free platform in Canada.

Knowledge Network has licensed a wide range of content, including over 100 hours of ´óÏó´«Ã½ dramas, documentaries, music and arts selections, and natural history series. Leading the drama titles is Silk, which follows a brilliant defense counselor who endeavours to become a member of the prestigious Queen's Counsel. The series depicts all the rivalry, tension and passion found on the front lines of criminal law. Knowledge Network also licensed the entire series of widely popular ´óÏó´«Ã½ show, Monarch of the Glen and documentaries How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin and Civilization: Is the West History. Critically-acclaimed natural history series Planet Earth and Blue Planet are also incorporated in the package.

Hilary Read, COO, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Canada said, "This deal speaks to the robust relationship we've built Knowledge Network over the years. I always welcome the opportunity to work with our valued Knowledge partners, and Canadian viewers are sure to enjoy this diverse line-up of programming they've chosen."

NOTES TO EDITORS
About ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Canada
´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (´óÏó´«Ã½). ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Canada, located in Toronto was first established in 1952 and incorporated as a Canadian company in 2002. The company exists to maximize the value of the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s assets for the benefit of the UK license payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company's activities in Canada include joint-venture channels ´óÏó´«Ã½ Canada, and ´óÏó´«Ã½ Kids, program distribution, ad sales for bbc.com and the newly established digital distribution business. The company is also a minority shareholder in Canadian production company, Temple Street Productions.

About Knowledge Network Corporation
Knowledge Network is where stories live that speak to our time. A viewer-supported public broadcaster, Knowledge Network provides commercial-free creative documentaries, arts and culture, and children’s programs from Canada and around the world. Knowledge Network plays a vital role in supporting the independent production community in B.C. and the rest of Canada by commissioning, pre-licensing and acquiring documentary and children’s content for broadcast on Knowledge Network and Knowledge.ca.

Catherine Mirra
Christine Black