Tencent signs co-production deal with BBC Worldwide for Blue Planet II
BBC Worldwide has inked a co-production deal with Tencent for the landmark series Blue Planet II.
BBC Worldwide and Tencent partner for Blue Planet II
The deal will see Blue Planet II broadcast simultaneously in China and the UK, with Chinese viewers able to watch via Tencent’s QQ video platform and app.
The deal, which was brokered at Mipcom, is the latest in a string of content deals which has seen Tencent screen BBC Worldwide content, such as Doctor Who, Orphan Black, Frozen Planet, The Collection and Planet Earth II.
It is part of Tencent's ongoing strategy to grow its entertainment credentials within China and abroad.
Lexian Zhu, deputy director of Tencent Penguin Pictures Documentary Studio, said: “We’ve been partnering with BBC Worldwide for some time to bring premium documentaries to our audiences in China. Last year, we co-produced Planet Earth II which did extremely well - the entire Planet Earth II album online was viewed over 230 million times in China. We are looking forward to this new co-production partnership for Blue Planet II, and look forward to working with BBC Worldwide on more fruitful and successful partnerships.”
Blue Planet II is the follow up to the BBC’s multi-award winning The Blue Planet, which was first broadcast on 2001. The new seven-part series, which is narrated by Sir David Attenborough, is the result of four years filming on 125 expeditions and 39 countries.
David Weiland, EVP, Asia, BBC Worldwide, said: “We are very excited to be co-producing this landmark series with Tencent, whom we have had a long and mutually beneficial relationship. This production partnership is an affirmation of the shared commitment we have in producing ambitious natural history content. Tencent’s involvement will bring this landmark series to a wider audience in Greater China.”
State broadcaster China Central Television’s documentary channel, CCTV9 remains the exclusive TV partner for Blue Planet II.