BBC Worldwide, on the first day of Showcase 207, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with iQIYI, China’s largest online video platform,  to bring almost 300 hours of pre-school content from CBeebies to its viewers.  This is the first time that CBeebies programmes will be available in China on a digital platform. iQIYI is the leader in providing online services in China with 20 million paid subscribers (as of June 2016). CBeebies content will be available on both the platform and on iQIYI’s app currently active on 120 million devices every day, making it the most-used online video app in China.

The CBeebies programmes branded under 思贝斯 (sī bèi sī) on the online platform, will feature some of BBC’s most popular pre-school programmes including Go Jetters – CBeebies’ latest animated adventure comedy series about four explorers who travel the world with their teacher, Ubercorn – a disco-loving unicorn, and the award-winning Sarah and Duck, which follows the expeditions of seven-year old Sarah and her quacky best friend, Duck. Children will also be able to enjoy Hey Duggee, winner of BAFTA’s Best Pre-School Amination award in 2016, which centres on the adventures of ‘The Squirrel Club’ run by a big friendly dog Duggee and his friends. The series offers a range of interactive activities and adventures for children on which they can earn activity badges along the way.

The MOU was signed by David Weiland, EVP Asia, BBC Worldwide and Wang Xiaohui, Chief Content Officer, iQIYI.  It was witnessed by Kelvin Yau, GM, Greater China, BBC Worldwide and Zeng Shangyou, Director, Copyright Management Centre, iQIYI. 思贝斯 (sī bèi sī) is set to launch by this summer. Programmes will be serviced in English and/or Mandarin.