MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC?s commercial arm BBC Worldwide has announced its latest co-production agreement with CCTV9 at MipTV, on ?Hidden Kingdoms?, the forthcoming series from the BBC?s Natural History Unit. The Chinese state broadcaster?s documentary channel had agreed its first ever co-production deals with BBC Worldwide last year, on science series ?Wonders of Life? and ?Generation Earth? and later on natural history title ?Africa?.

Billed as ?Pixar meets Life?, ?Hidden Kingdoms? is the untold story of the natural world?s most fascinating diminutive characters. From chipmunks in North America, to giant rhinoceros beetles in Tokyo and sengi in East Africa, the series looks at the challenges faced by the natural world?s mini-heroes.

BBC Worldwide president, global markets Paul Dempsey said, "We?re really excited about this groundbreaking new series from the NHU, and pleased to be working with CCTV9 once again. The support of CCTV9 on Hidden Kingdoms guarantees it a huge audience in China, and helps the NHU to create a memorable series that will resonate with viewers all around the world."

CCTV9 channel director Liu Wen commented, "The BBC?s Natural History Unit is renowned as a world-leader in its field, so we?re very happy to be taking this new title to viewers in China. It?s a unique project that brings something completely new to the genre, and we can?t wait to see the finished series."

BBC Worldwide has previously brokered a co-production for ?Wild China? (known in China as ?Beautiful China?), between the BBC?s Natural History Unit and CTV, a production company under CCTV. The series, distributed by BBC Worldwide, has been licensed to over 160 territories around the world.

MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of UK pubcaster the BBC, has agreed to sell the travel guide business Lonely Planet to NC2 Media, following approval from the BBC Trust.

The move follows the BBC?s commercial review last year which set out the company?s strategy to focus on BBC brands and promote the best of the corporation?s output globally.

BBC Worldwide will receive ?51.5 million with ?41.2 million paid on completion and ?10.3 million paid in one year?s time.

BBC Worldwide interim CEO Paul Dempsey said, ?We acquired Lonely Planet in 2007 when both our strategy and the market conditions were quite different. Since then, Lonely Planet has increased its presence in digital, magazine publishing and emerging markets whilst also growing its global market share, despite difficult economic conditions. However, we have also recognised that it no longer fits with our plans to put BBC brands at the heart of our business and have decided to sell the company to NC2 Media who are better placed to build and invest in the business."

Lonely Planet is a travel publisher and has printed approximately 120 million books in 11 different languages. Lonely Planet?s magazine franchise has expanded beyond the first UK edition to 14 international editions.

However, Lonely Planet?s financial performance has been impacted in recent years by the continued strength of the Australian dollar, the rapid consolidation of the publishing industry and a global recession which affected leisure travel.

BBC Worldwide has been exploring strategic options for Lonely Planet over the last year and was keen to find a new owner that could bring greater focus and capital to the business. NC2 Media demonstrated a commitment to invest in Lonely Planet and today?s announcement concludes the process to find the right buyer.

NC2 Media is a US-based media company primarily engaged in the creation, acquisition, and distribution of quality digital content and the development of the technologies that make this possible. The company is poised to leverage the opportunities presented by the changing landscape within the industry. The business is headquartered in Nashville Tennessee, and led by Daniel Houghton, its executive director, who will take on additional responsibility at Lonely Planet as COO.

NC2 Media?s primary shareholder is Brad Kelley, an American businessman and Forbes 400 member. His historical business interests include consumer products and real estate and he was formerly the largest shareholder and board member in Churchill Downs. Kelley?s current business interests focus on media via NC2 Media and various technologies through VAON Technology Unit. He also pursues significant interests in land and wildlife conservation through the Kelley Conservation Foundation.

NC2 Media executive director Daniel Houghton commented, ?With this acquisition comes a global footprint, not only in the travel guide business, but also in magazine publishing and the digital space. We are very excited about this opportunity, and delighted to agree this deal with BBC Worldwide. The challenge and promise before us is to marry the world?s greatest travel information and guidebook company with the limitless potential of 21st century digital technology. If we can do this, and I believe we can, we can build a business that, while remaining true to the things that made Lonely Planet great in the past, promises to make it even greater in the future.?

The sale transaction will occur at the end of the current financial year 31 March, and Lonely Planet will continue to function as a global operation.

BBC Worldwide had acquired 75 per cent of Lonely Planet in 2007 for ?88.1 million and the remaining 25 per cent in 2011 for ?42.17 million, for a total consideration of ?130.2 million.

During the time BBC Worldwide has owned Lonely Planet, its annual revenue has grown from ?810 million in 2007 to ?1.08 billion in 2012 ? with profit increasing from ?111 million in 2007 to ?155 million in 2012.

MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide has appointed Amanda Hill as chief brands officer to develop global business.

The appointment is a part of a restructuring from divisional to geographic lines of management, and also BBC?s ongoing strategy to maximise the value of its assets outside the UK.

The new position, still reeling from the management blunders that led to the resignation of Director General George Entwistle, is designed to play a key role in enabling BBC Worldwide to build and develop global brands such as Top Gear, BBC Earth, Doctor Who, Dancing with the Stars, BBC Knowledge, CBeebies and the Global iPlayer.

Hill is currently managing director of BBC Earth.

As part of the BBC?s senior executive team, Hill will be tasked with developing, segmenting and managing the current brand portfolio of 14 BBC Global brands while also developing and building new BBC brands to protect and develop future brand revenue growth.

Hill said, "I?m absolutely thrilled to be taking up the role of chief brands officer. The BBC is one of the greatest broadcasters and the most trusted brands in the world and I passionately about the role it plays internationally and here in the UK. With the rise of truly global digital channels, now is an incredible time to bring the BBC to the world and the world to the BBC."

BBC Worldwide interim CEO Paul Dempsey said, "I?m delighted to announce Amanda?s appointment as chief brands officer for BBC Worldwide. She has an outstanding record in growing brands such as Walking with Dinosaurs and BBC Earth, and I have no doubt that she is the right person to build and develop our core brands around the world. She will take up the post early in the New Year and will play a key role in bringing us closer to our global audiences as we drive forward our restructuring plans."

MUMBAI: Scandal-hit British pubcaster BBC has appointed Paul Dempsey as the interim Chief Executive Officer of BBC Worldwide from December until incoming CEO Tim Davie?s arrival next year.

Paul, currently Managing Director for Consumer Products at BBC Worldwide, will oversee the BBC?s commercial arm from December 1 until Tim Davie hands over his duties as Acting Director-General to Director-General Designate Tony Hall in March.

BBC Worldwide?s current CEO John Smith announced his decision to step down after eight years in charge of the company last month and will leave the business in December.

The appointment was made by Tim Davie as Acting Director-General.

Paul Dempsey said, "I am proud and privileged to have been asked by Tim to take on these responsibilities as an interim measure until he arrives early next year. BBC Worldwide is a dynamic company with exciting times ahead of it. My immediate priority will be to provide the company with leadership and direction so it can keep on delivering great returns to the BBC."

Tim Davie said, "Paul has a great track record at BBC Worldwide and a sound understanding of the commercial imperatives that have made it an international success. I have every faith that he is the right person to lead BBC Worldwide over the coming months and make sure it carries on supporting the BBC brand around the world."

In his current role, Paul oversees Consumer Products, a global producer and distributor of TV entertainment packaged media, including DVD, Blu-ray, DTO, licensed product, music, BBC Shop and book publishing partnerships.

Paul joined BBC Worldwide in 1998 as UK Sales Director and became Managing Director of BBC Audio books in 2002. He was appointed Director of BBC Worldwide?s Audio & Music business when it was established in 2006. Prior to joining BBC Worldwide, Paul?s background in sales and marketing included eight years at Mars Confectionery followed by two years as Sales Director of Frontline Ltd, BBC Worldwide?s magazine joint venture business.

As a result of the move, Marcus Arthur, Managing Director for Global Brands, will take over Paul?s current responsibilities as Acting Managing Director for Consumer Products, in addition to his current role.

The BBC has been battling allegations of sex-scandal surrounding Jimmy Savile, the late BBC television star now alleged to have been a prolific child sex offender. The scandal saw the resignation of BBC?s Director General George Entwistle in the wake of Newsnight report on North Wales child abuse. The report wrongly implicated a politician in child sex abuse.