Shanghai, China – BBC Worldwide announced a partnership with Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group Co, a division of the Shanghai Media Group (SMG) that will see almost 360 hours of Top Gear series launch exclusively on BesTV platforms in China.

By early next year, Top Gear fans in China will have access to the soon-to-be-launched all-new series 24, the entire series of Top Gear UK and all the UK specials, as well as five series of Top Gear USA, six series of Top Gear Korea and both series of Top Gear China.  Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group’s IPTV platform, BesTV will be home to all the Top Gear series.

BesTV under Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group Co. is China’s largest IPTV provider with over 26 million subscribers. The deal was sealed at a ceremony in Shanghai, signed by Zhang Wei, President and Director of Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group Co., Ltd and David Weiland, EVP Asia, and witnessed by Madam Wang Jianjun, Director-General and President of Shanghai Media Group, Chairperson of Oriental Pearl Group Co., Ltd and Paul Dempsey, President of Global Markets for BBC Worldwide.

“We are extremely pleased to extend our relationship with Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group.  We first worked with them in 2008 when we provided factual progammes to their BesTV platform.  They are also our partners for CBeebies, where we have a programme block on the channel.  This new Top Gear partnership allows us to reach more our fans in China with distinctive, quality programmes that Chinese audiences demand and appreciate.” commented Paul Dempsey, President Global Markets, BBC Worldwide.

BBC Worldwide had, earlier this year, signed a deal with SMG Pictures to co-produce Earth: One Amazing Day (working title) to be launched in 2017.  In January, it has also worked with SMG to bring Sherlock: The Abominable Bride to theatres all over China.