BBC Worldwide has signed an agreement to co-operate with Chinese new media firm Mango TV.
Mango is operated by Hunan TV, the broadcast and film group that is China’s second most viewed after CCTV, and which earlier this year signed a multi-faceted alliance with Lionsgate.
The two companies will co-operate in two areas: “talent, creativity, production and distribution channels;” “exploring co-production and format opportunities particularly in iconic BBC documentaries, factual entertainment programmes, dramas and films targeting the Chinese and global market.” (Like most foreign-owned TV companies the BBC’s TV channels currently do not have ‘landing rights’ in most of China.)
The memorandum of understanding was signed in a ceremony held at the headquarters of Mango TV in Changsha by Ding Cheng, CEO of Mango TV, and Paul Dempsey, BBC Worldwide, President of Global Markets.
BBC Worldwide is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Initially ‘mango’ was a popular nickname for Hunan TV, which has an orange oval shaped logo.