Cannes/Sydney – BBC Worldwide Australia and ABC TV have renewed their first-option agreement in advance of this year’s MIPCOM television market in Cannes. The deal, which covers Drama, Light Entertainment, Natural History, Music & Arts and Religion titles, allows ABC TV a first-look at content across these genres within the BBC Worldwide catalogue. The agreement has been renewed for a further two years. “Strong British content continues to be a major attraction for Australian viewers, and it has always captured the imagination of our audiences. We’re very pleased to have renewed our deal,” said Marena Manzoufas, ABC TV’s head of programming. BBC Worldwide distributes content not only from the BBC but from a wide range of British independent production companies. Its Sales & Distribution business accounts for around half of the UK’s total television exports, with around 40,000 hours of programming sold in the last year.