BBC America
| BBC America | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | March 29, 1998 |
| Owned by |
BBC Worldwide (50.01%) AMC Networks (49.99%) |
| Picture format |
1080i (HDTV) 480i (SDTV) |
| Slogan | Home to the biggest names in British Television. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York |
| Sister channel(s) | AMC, BBC Entertainment, BBC World News, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv |
| Website | www |
|
Availability
|
|
| Satellite | |
| DirecTV | 264 (SD/HD) 1264 (VOD) |
| Dish Network | 135 (HD/SD) |
| C-Band – H2H/4DTV | AMC 18 – Channel 202 |
| Cable | |
| Available on most US cable systems | Consult your local cable provider for channel availability |
| IPTV | |
| AT&T U-verse | 122 (SD) 1122 (HD) |
| Verizon FiOS | 689 (HD) 189 (SD) |
| Streaming media | |
| PlayStation Vue | Internet Protocol television |
| Sling TV | Internet Protocol television |
BBC America is a digital cable and satellite television network in the United States which is jointly owned by BBC Worldwide and AMC Networks.
Unlike the BBC's domestic channels in the United Kingdom, BBC America does not receive funding from the UK licence fee (which is the principal funding for the BBC's channels within the United Kingdom), as the BBC cannot fund any of its channels that are not available in the United Kingdom. Consequently, BBC America operates as an advertiser-supported channel and accepts traditional advertising. It is also funded by cable and satellite TV subscription fees.
As of February 2015, BBC America is available to approximately 78,375,000 television households (67.3% of cable, satellite, and telco customers) in the United States.
BBC America was launched on March 29, 1998, presenting a mixture of comedy, drama and lifestyle programs from BBC Television and other British television broadcasters including ITV and Channel 4. In the channel's early days, it focused on repeats of popular lifestyle shows such as Changing Rooms and Ground Force. BBC America's head of television programming later stated that it was important for the channel to establish a niche since non-UK viewers found the lifestyle shows appealing. Most of the newer programs appeared as part of BBC America's evening schedule.
The network removed the popular British soap opera EastEnders from its schedule in 2003 due to low ratings; however the program's removal from BBC America provoked complaints from viewers, which caught media attention.
After CEO Paul Lee was appointed president of ABC Family in 2009, the network appointed Bill Hilary from Comedy Central to serve as its chief executive officer. Hilary appointed Kathryn Mitchell to the new position of general manager. Under Hilary's tenure, BBC America was restructured; it moved its main offices to New York City and had its programming budget increase substantially. The channel was led by Garth Ancier, who served as the president of BBC Worldwide Americas from February 2007 until 2010, when he was succeeded by former MTV Networks executive Herb Scannell. Meanwhile, Perry Simon serves as general manager.
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Wikipedia