Beijing – BBC Worldwide has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China’s state broadcaster, CCTV Documentary Channel (CCTV9). The agreement is centred around BBC Worldwide’s factual content brand, BBC Earth.

The MOU was signed at the Sichuan TV Festival in Chengdu, with Liu Wen, Managing Director representing CCTV9 and Pierre Cheung, VP and GM of BBC Worldwide, Greater China representing BBC Worldwide.

At the signing ceremony, from left to right: Neil Nightingale, Creative Director, BBC Earth; Pierre Cheung, VP & GM, Greater China, BBC Worldwide; Liu Wen, Managing Director of CCTV9

The agreement will provide opportunities and platforms for partnerships between the two businesses, which have worked together on numerous successful projects over the last three years.

The MOU includes two key areas of collaboration. The first is establishing a centre for story development – developing documentaries for television audiences which focus on the Chinese and Asian market but target a global audience. The second is developing TV and live event co-productions and expanding the companies’ distribution relationship –  building on existing television co-production success to include more TV landmarks, exploring live event projects, and looking to expand the distribution relationship beyond TV.

“We have been collaborating with BBC Worldwide on TV programmes for many years now,” said Liu Wen, Managing Director of CCTV9. “Like the BBC, we are committed to bringing high quality programmes to our viewers. We are excited that with this MOU, we will be able to extend our partnership to reach new audiences.”

Paul Dempsey, BBC Worldwide President Global Markets said: “This MOU is a significant milestone in the history of BBC Worldwide’s business in China and in our relationship with CCTV. The projects we will be working on will enable us to bring our flagship BBC Earth content to audiences across China and help bring together UK and Chinese creative talent.”

BBC Worldwide and CCTV9 previously announced co-production deals for science series Generation Earth, Wonders of Life and Africa. In April 2013 the BBC’s commercial arm confirmed a co-production agreement with CCTV9 on Hidden Kingdoms.