BBC Knowledge expands Polish reach with Polsat

Polish pay TV operator Cyfrowy Polsat is adding BBC Knowledge to its line-up.

The deal will see BBC Worldwide Channels’ documentary and entertainment channel joining Poland’s largest DTH platform. It is already carried by DTH operators ‘n’ and Cyfra Plus, in addition to cable networks UPC Polska and Vectra. Cyfrowy Polsat has offered the BBC HD channel in the Extra HD package since February 1.

An exact launch date for BBC Knowledge has yet to be announced. Under the new agreement, the responsibility for advertising sales for the BBC channel portfolio will move to Polsat Media sales from January 2013.

Ian McDonough, senior vice-president and general manager EMEA, BBC Worldwide Channels said: “I am thrilled to announce our new agreement with Cyfrowy Polsat which will see the launch of our full channel portfolio to the platform. With the opening of a local office in Warsaw and a dedicated team on the ground led by Jacek Koskowski, we are confident that we can provide the very best exclusive and original programming from the UK and are uniquely positioned to provide global TV moments to our growing Polish audience. I am also pleased to announce our partnership with Polsat Media who will represent us in selling advertising on our channels to the Polish market.”