BBCWW eyes local production in Brazil

BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the British public broadcaster, is eyeing local productions in Brazil following the launch of its HD channel. This comes as new production quotas are brought in later this year.

This comes two months after the company launched its first channel in Brazil, launching BBC HD via cable platform NET Serviços.

Jana Bennett, outgoing president of worldwide networks and global BBC iPlayer for BBC Worldwide, told delegates at a conference organised by investment agency Rio Negocios that it would start working with Brazilian independent producers following Bill 116, which comes in to effect in September.

“Brazil was a place where we didn’t do much [before] but we needed to be serious about Brazil,” she said. “Because of the new legislation we needed to be serious about working with producers because successful channels have to localise over time. Over time we will be talking to more producers and will start making original productions.”

BBC Worldwide is already working with producers including Bossa Nova and Mixer and its Natural History Unit is, separately, producing documentary series Wild Brazil.

Bill 116 will mean that broadcasters must produce three and a half hours of local content, specifically entertainment or factual programming, during primetime.

BBC HD launched on May 28th and airs series including Top Gear, Sherlock and Planet Earth Live.