Sydney – BBC Worldwide is set to launch a premium BBC channel on Foxtel offering premiere British drama and comedy, ad-break free and as close to UK transmission as possible in a new multi-platform deal for the BBC that aims to create a direct relationship with Australian audiences.

 Launching as part of the Foxtel Drama & Lifestyle package in mid-2014, the channel will feature first-run programming from the BBC and other British producers, which will not be available on terrestrial television for at least 12 months. One title confirmed for the launch includes 10-part drama series, Adrian Hodges’ The Musketeers starring Luke Pasqualino as D’Artagnan, Tom Burke, Santiago Cabrera and Howard Charles as the three musketeers, as well as Peter Capaldi. The deal will also see the four existing BBC channels – UKTV, BBC Knowledge, CBeebies and BBC World News – continuing on the Foxtel platform.

All five channels will be available on Foxtel GO with the premiere channel available in high definition. Extensive BBC content will be available on demand at no extra charge. In addition, the deal offers Foxtel a first-look at all BBC Worldwide Lifestyle programming. This content will also be available on Foxtel Go and on demand and using the EPG catch up functionality.

Jon Penn, Managing Director, BBC Worldwide Australasia, said,“This deal represents a strategic opportunity for BBC Worldwide to further expand our opportunities to showcase outstanding British creativity in Australia. We have a strong relationship with Foxtel and their viewers through our existing four channels, and were delighted to be given the chance to launch a premium channel that could offer the best BBC and British premiere television shortly after UK transmission. We are confident that we will also continue to have productive relationships with our other valued partners in the FTA, STV and digital markets.”