London – BBC Showcase UK, BBC Worldwide’s annual programme export event, is to move to Liverpool in 2012 following an agreement with the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool (ACC Liverpool). Currently held in Brighton, BBC Showcase is a firm fixture in the television buying calendar and sees over 500 of the world’s biggest network buyers attend to purchase the latest BBC Worldwide content. Stars from both sides of the camera join the sales effort and help pitch to buyers. It is the flagship export event for BBC Worldwide Sales & Distribution and now generates up to £50million of programme exports each year. The move to ACC Liverpool follows a detailed bidding process, initiated in response to pressure in recent years for BBC Showcase to grow in size and ambition as demand for UK content grows and the client base expands in new sectors such as digital. The event is now in its 35th year and has been held in Brighton for much of this time. Other host destinations have included Bristol, Edinburgh, Jersey and Stratford-upon-Avon.