BBC Entertainment launched in 2006 as a replacement for BBC Prime.
BBC Entertainment, an international television channel known for broadcasting comedy, drama, light entertainment, reality, and children’s programming (in some regions only) from the BBC, is set to cease operations in all markets on March 31, 2024, as reported by Broadband TV News and mentioned on BBC Entertainment’s Wikipedia page.
BBC Studios has affirmed its commitment to serving local audiences in the EMEA region. In an official statement, the organization outlined its strategy, emphasizing the continuation of tailored genre channels, the expansion of the digital service BBC Player, and the introduction of a suite of FAST channels.
With regional variations tailored to local preferences, the channel, wholly owned by BBC Studios, originally replaced BBC Prime. It initially launched in October 2006, taking over BBC Prime’s presence in Asian markets like Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and South Korea.
Expanding its reach, BBC Entertainment replaced BBC Prime in the rest of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa in November 2009. In line with a strategic shift towards content sales to other linear and OTT platforms, BBC Worldwide announced the cessation of transmissions for BBC Entertainment, along with BBC Earth and CBeebies, in Latin American countries in April 2017.
Further adjustments occurred with the launch of BBC First in selected Asian regions on March 19, 2016. Subsequent to this, broadcasts ceased in specific regions on different dates, such as Singapore via Starhub TV on April 29, 2015, and in Hong Kong, Thailand, and Indonesia on January 1, 2017. Myanmar and Mongolia saw broadcasts end on March 1, 2018, while Taiwan ceased broadcasts on March 10, 2017, subsequently being replaced by CBeebies.
With the channel’s last feed scheduled to shut down on March 31, 2024, this decision mirrors similar motivations observed in the Latin American market back in 2017.
