Singapore – The BBC and BBC Worldwide has announced the inaugural launch of three of its pay-TV channels in Burma – BBC World News, BBC Entertainment and CBeebies. All three channels including BBC World Service in Asia in English will launch on private broadcaster Forever Group’s pay-TV platform, on  January 1, 2013.

BBC World News is the BBC’s commercially-funded international 24/7 news and information channel. BBC Entertainment shows light British entertainment, drama and comedy while CBeebies is a channel for pre-school children. The launch of these channels and the BBC World Service global English radio will see this programming potentially reach around 250,000 homes in Burma.

“For many years, the BBC has delivered accurate, impartial international radio services to the Burmese people, serving as a vital lifeline service to Aung San Suu Kyi and those across the country. I’m so pleased that the BBC is now able to take the next step forward with the country to offer that same impartial news via television as well. It is a great sign of progress for Burma and I’m honoured for the BBC to play a role in opening the country up to the world,” said Peter Horrocks, Director of Global News.

Mr. Winn Maw, CEO of Forever Group Co. Ltd, added: “We are thrilled to be partnering with BBC Worldwide. High quality content is a key factor in driving our subscription growth, and we are confident that BBC World News, BBC Entertainment and CBeebies, together with BBC World Service radio will make Forever Group’s international line-up even stronger.”

One of two major private broadcasters in Burma, Forever Group is one of the earliest digital TV broadcasters in the region, and broadcasting in DVB-T and DVB-T2. Forever Group is also extending its digital TV network all over the country using the DVB-T2 system.