BBC Worldwide has posted solid sales growth across Australia and New Zealand on the back of its first full year on Foxtel and Fetch TV as well as an increase in sponsorship.
Headline sales revenue across the region was £79.1 million in the year to 31 March 2016, up 5.3% once currency fluctuations are taken into account.
In the past year, BBC First reached more than three million viewers, BBC UKTV increased its reach in both Australia and New Zealand, while CBeebies doubled its audience ratings.
This includes new shows such as locally commissioned and produced Banished and BBC Worldwide's top-selling title globally, Sherlock: The Abominable Bride.
Six new format commissions are airing in 2016: You’re Back In The Room, for Channel Nine and TVNZ; a first series of Coast and Mastermind for TVNZ; Coast on The History Channel; and The Great Australian Bake Off on Foxtel's Lifestyle Food - a show that has proven extremely popular in the UK.
BBC channels in Australia have seen significant sponsorship growth as a result, up 19.9% year-on-year.
Part of the strategy has been a growing focus on BBC's live entertainment offering. In the past year, Australia hosted its first official Doctor Who Festival, as well as YouTube stars Joe Sugg and Caspar Lee and wildlife presenter Steve Backshall presenting sell-out tours. The BBC Proms also arrived on these shores with performances in Melbourne in April.
Recently, AdNews reported that National Australia Bank (NAB) and IBM were headline sponsors for BBC Worldwide Australia and New Zealand World-Changing Ideas Summit Sydney - an event dedicated to exploring cutting-edge innovations and issues in science, technology and health.
Last year, BBC Worldwide launched a global content marketing team, BBC StoryWorks, in Sydney.
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