BBC exits from India non-news channels!

On 1st November 2012 BBC Worldwide issued a press statement announcing the closure of it’s two non-news channels in India. The channels are BBC Entertainment and CBeebies. The latest move would be effective sometime around  the end of November 2012

Delays in digitization and channel operator’s requirement to pay large amounts to cable platforms are the two main reasons cited for the step being taken by BBC Worldwide.

But they also went on to add that if and when the situation changed they would re-consider re-launching the said channels. They have assured viewers that most of their programmes are presently available on other channels viz. cable and terrestrial and could also be viewed digitally on YouTube in India.

The statement added: "We believe India is an exciting market and in the event of changes in the options available to us we would certainly consider re-launching our non-News channels in the market."

However BBC World News, the BBC’s international news and current affairs channel, will remain available to  Indian viewers.

They confirm that it has not been an easy decision for them to take. They consider India  a dynamic and fast growing media market but it still remains uniquely challenging for pay-TV channels and hence  makes the economics of running channels very challenging at this time in the country.

BBC Worldwide also goes on to thank their dedicated and loyal staff in India, Singapore and the UK, who have worked on BBC Entertainment and CBeebies and also their viewers for their support and loyalty.