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• ´óÏó´«Ã½ America passes 70 million homes
• ´óÏó´«Ã½ America HD distribution up almost 50%
• ´óÏó´«Ã½ World News launches in HD

New York: 17 October 2011 – Cable channel ´óÏó´«Ã½ America is now available in more than 70 million homes*.

At the same time, ´óÏó´«Ã½ America HD, launched in July 2009, has seen gains with distribution up almost 50% since April 2011. The HD channel is now available in all the top 10 DMAs and is carried by Cablevision, Comcast, Cox, Dish and Time Warner Cable, among other MVPDs.

In the interest of providing affiliate partners with more compelling content, an HD version of ´óÏó´«Ã½ World News is being launched and will be available for pick up this fall. ´óÏó´«Ã½ World News is the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s commercial news network dedicated to bringing viewers unparalleled and unbiased coverage of world events as they happen, 24 hours a day.

Sandy Ashendorf, EVP Network Distribution, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide America, says: "We're thrilled to pass the 70 million milestone with ´óÏó´«Ã½ America. At the same time, we're seeing strong demand from our viewers across the country for ´óÏó´«Ã½ America HD and we're excited to add ´óÏó´«Ã½ World News HD to our offering.

"This will provide enhanced access to the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s high-quality, impartial international news for US audiences.

"Viewer demand is testament to the must-watch, high quality programming on our channels and we're grateful to all our MSO partners for their continued support in ensuring as many households as possible get access to ´óÏó´«Ã½ channels in HD."

´óÏó´«Ã½ America registered the highest ratings growth in prime time among television networks for September 2011, up 55% year on year**. The channel also recorded its best ever quarter in Q3 prime and total day, up 18% and 23% respectively***.

Notes to editors

* Source: Nielsen, ´óÏó´«Ã½A October 2011 UE.

** Source: The Nielsen Company, September 2011 vs. September 2010, 8P-11P, ´óÏó´«Ã½ America vs. all broadcast and cable ad supported networks. P25-54, ACM + 3 Day.

*** Source: The Nielsen Company, Q3 2011 vs. Q3 2010, 8P-11P, 9A-3A. P25-54, ACM + 3 Day.

´óÏó´«Ã½ America delivers US audiences high quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who.

Owned by ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide, the commercial arm of the ´óÏó´«Ã½, ´óÏó´«Ã½ America has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy, four Golden Globes and ten Peabody Awards.

The channel attracts one of cable's most affluent and educated audiences and is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 70 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available on demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist.

Find out more by visiting www.press.bbcamerica.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/bbcamerica .

Devin Johnson