BBC Earth is a documentary subscription television channel featuring premium factual programming. The channel is wholly owned and operated by BBC Studios. Originally set to roll out internationally in 2014, it was later announced it would launch in 2015, starting in Poland.
History
In October 2013, the BBC announced that in 2014 it would rollout 3 new brands – BBC Earth, BBC First, and BBC Brit, with BBC Earth to be dedicated to premium factual programming. It was later announced that the channel would air series such as Frozen Planet and Wonders of the Universe. In addition, roughly 30 hours of new content would be ordered for the channel in its first year. The channel is set to replace BBC Knowledge; however, if the existing channel is successful in certain markets, it may continue to operate.
International roll-out
Poland
BBC Earth premiered in Poland on 1 February 2015, replacing BBC Knowledge.
Nordic Regions
BBC Earth replaced BBC Knowledge in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland on 13 April 2015.
Hungary
BBC Earth replaced BBC Knowledge on 14 April 2015.
Romania
On 14 April 2015, BBC Earth was launched in Romania, replacing BBC Knowledge.
Turkey
BBC Earth launched in Turkey, replacing BBC Knowledge, on 14 April 2015.
BBC Earth launched in the Latin American countries of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela on 1 September 2015, replacing BBC HD. On 13 April 2017, the channel ceased its transmissions only for Latin America along with BBC Entertainment and CBeebies.
In Asia, BBC Earth launched in Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam on 3 October 2015, replacing BBC Knowledge. In the Philippines, it was launch on 1 April 2017 along with BBC World News. On 12 September 2017, it was announced to be launch via Laosat DTH in Laos. In Myanmar, the channel was available via Sky Net and CANAL+.
Serbia
In Serbia, BBC Earth was launched on 28 December 2015 replacing BBC Entertainment.
Eastern Europe
BBC Earth premiered in Eastern European countries on 1 January 2016, replacing BBC Entertainment.
Greece
In Greece, the channel was launched at Cosmote TV on 1 October 2017.
BBC have entered into a joint venture with Multi Screen Media to launch the channel in India, branded as Sony BBC Earth. It was launched on 6 March 2017, following regulatory approval of the joint venture. Kareena Kapoor is the ambassador for this channel.
