2607:FEA8:4B80:D810:AD02:9CE4:424F:7DA6 at 19:43, 30 September 2025

2025-09-30T19:43:32Z

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{{short description|American pay television network}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = BBC America
| logo = [[File:BBC America logo 2021.svg|150px|class=skin-invert]]
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|1998|3|29}}
| picture_format = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]]<br />(downscaled to letterboxed [[480i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed)
| owner = [[AMC Networks]]
| country = [[United States]]
| area = Nationwide
| language = [[English Language|English]]
| headquarters = [[New York City]], [[United States]]
| sister_channels = [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]]<br />[[IFC (American TV channel)|IFC]]<br />[[Sundance TV]]<br />[[We TV]]
| website = {{URL|https://bbcamerica.com}}
| online_serv_1 = Service(s)
| online_chan_1 = [[DirecTV Stream]], [[Philo (company)|Philo]], [[Sling TV]], [[YouTube TV]],
}}

'''BBC America''' is an American [[basic cable]] network owned by [[AMC Networks]]. The channel primarily airs [[Science fiction|sci-fi]] and [[Action fiction|action]] series and films, as well as selected programs from the [[BBC]] (such as its [[BBC Natural History Unit|nature documentary series]]).

Unlike the BBC's domestic channels in the United Kingdom, BBC America does not receive funding from the British [[Television licencing in the United Kingdom|license fee]] (which is the principal funding for the BBC's channels within the United Kingdom), as the BBC cannot fund any of its channels that are available outside the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbcamerica.com/faq.jsp#whyads |title=FAQs |publisher=BBC America |access-date=May 10, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107092436/http://www.bbcamerica.com/faq.jsp |archive-date=November 7, 2011 }}</ref> Consequently, BBC America operates as a [[Television advertisement|commercial]]-supported channel and accepts traditional advertising. It is also funded by television subscription fees.

{{As of|2023|11}}, BBC America is available to approximately 60,000,000 pay television households in the United States-down from its 2017 peak of 82,000,000 households.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlenomics.com/u-s-cable-network-households-universe-1990-2023-nielsen-data/|title=U.S. cable network households (universe), 1990 – 2023|website=wrestlenomics.com|date=May 14, 2024|access-date=July 28, 2019}}</ref> In 2024, AMC Networks purchased BBC Studios' remaining stake in the channel.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Lieberman|first1=David|title=AMC Networks Pays $200M For 49.9% Of BBC America|url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/amc-networks-pays-200m-49-9-bbc-america-859244/|magazine=Deadline|access-date=October 23, 2014|date=2014-10-23}}</ref> AMC Networks continues to license the BBC name and branding from BBC Studios as well as some of the content that airs on the channel.

==History==
===Background===
The idea for BBC America was first mooted in December 1994, as part of a two-channel plan by BBC Worldwide to enter the US cable market by means of a partnership with Cox. The two channels were going to be BBC World, which was due to launch the following year, and an entertainment channel, named BBC Prime or BBC America. There were no short-term plans to launch the channel, which, according to the teams, was in its "research stages".<ref>Biddle, F. M. (1994, Dec 21). BBC to launch US cable network: [City Edition]. Boston Globe (Pre-1997 Fulltext)</ref> Preparations for the channel began in March 1997, with a launch set for "as early as summer 1998".<ref>SPECIAL TO THE STAR (New York Daily News). (1997, Mar 28). BBC planning American invasion: [Final Edition]. Toronto Star</ref>
===Launch and early years===
BBC America was announced in December 1997 under a commercial agreement with Discovery Communications<ref>Helmore, E. (1997, Dec 21). Beeb flies Star-Spangled Banner Auntie hopes to build an audience of 20 million for her own US cable channel, reports EDWARD HELMORE. The Observer</ref> and launched on March 29, 1998,<ref name="BBC America Press - Corporate">{{cite web|url=http://press.amcnetworks.com/login|title=AMC Networks Press Center|website=press.amcnetworks.com}}</ref> presenting a mixture of comedy, drama and lifestyle programs from [[BBC Television]] and other British television broadcasters including [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] and [[Channel 4]]. In the channel's early days, it focused on repeats of popular lifestyle shows such as ''[[Changing Rooms]]'' and ''[[Ground Force]]''. BBC America's head of [[television program]]ming later stated that the channel needed to establish a niche, since non-British viewers found the lifestyle shows appealing.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/sep/30/broadcasting.bbc3|title=EastEnders axe outrages US fans|newspaper=The Guardian|date=September 30, 2003|access-date=September 10, 2016}}</ref> Most of the newer programs appeared as part of BBC America's evening schedule.

The network removed the British [[soap opera]] ''[[EastEnders]]'' from its schedule in 2003 due to low ratings; however, the program's removal from BBC America provoked complaints from viewers, which caught media attention.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3777231.stm|title=Entertainment - EastEnders returns to US screens|publisher=BBC|access-date=May 10, 2015|date=2004-06-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/11/arts/l-bbc-america-alas-east-enders-126381.html|title=BBC AMERICA; Alas, 'East Enders'|date=April 11, 2004|work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/31/arts/arts-briefly-a-reprieve-for-eastenders.html?sq=eastenders&scp=1|title=Arts, Briefly – A Reprieve for 'EastEnders'|date=January 31, 2005|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 17, 2016}}</ref>

After CEO [[Paul Lee (television executive)|Paul Lee]] was appointed president of [[Freeform (TV channel)|ABC Family]] in 2009, the network appointed Bill Hilary from [[Comedy Central]] to serve as its chief executive officer. Hilary appointed Kathryn Mitchell to the new position of general manager. Under Hilary's tenure, BBC America was restructured; it moved its main offices to New York City and had its programming budget increase substantially. The channel was led by [[Garth Ancier]], who served as the president of [[BBC Worldwide Americas]] from February 2007 until 2010, when he was succeeded by former [[MTV Networks]] executive [[Herb Scannell]]. Meanwhile, Perry Simon serves as general manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.press.bbcamerica.com/press/corporateexecbios.jsp?corporate_executives_id=7 |title=Home – BBC America Press |publisher=Press.bbcamerica.com |access-date=December 17, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919032007/http://www.press.bbcamerica.com/press/corporateexecbios.jsp?corporate_executives_id=7 |archive-date=September 19, 2009}}</ref>

===AMC Networks joint venture (2014–2024)===
In 2014, [[AMC Networks]] acquired a 49.9% equity stake in BBC America for $200 million, and replaced [[Discovery Communications]] as its managing partner. As part of the deal, AMC Networks also took on the responsibility of negotiating American broadcast and advertising sales for the regional variant [[BBC News (international TV channel)|BBC News (International)]]. AMC Networks CEO [[Josh Sapan]] stated that the deal gave his company "a powerful collection of networks that are among the most critically acclaimed, with distinct dramas and other potent content that creates a deep connection with viewers", while [[BBC Worldwide]] CEO [[Tim Davie]] considered it "an opportunity to grow the creative quality and ambition from an already high base."<ref name="bloomberg-amcbbc">{{cite news|title=AMC Buys Half of BBC America to Bolster Pay-TV Leverage|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-10-23/amc-networks-pays-200-million-for-half-of-bbc-america|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=October 23, 2014|access-date=December 18, 2016}}</ref><ref name="deadline-amcbbc">{{cite web|title=AMC Networks Pays $200M For 49.9% Of BBC America|url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/amc-networks-pays-200m-49-9-bbc-america-859244/|website=Deadline.com|access-date=December 18, 2016|date=2014-10-23}}</ref>

AMC Networks became a founding partner in the American launch of [[BritBox]], a streaming service operated by [[BBC Studios]] and [[ITV plc]].<ref name="thr-britbox">{{cite web|title=BBC Worldwide, ITV SVOD Venture BritBox Launches With $6.99 Monthly Price|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bbc-worldwide-itv-svod-venture-britbox-launches-699-monthly-price-983887|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 7, 2017|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref><ref name="thr-britboxcorrie">{{cite web|title='Coronation Street' Episodes Now Available on BritBox a Day After U.K. Debut|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/coronation-street-episodes-available-britbox-a-day-uk-debut-1001611|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 11, 2017|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref>

On Sunday, April 25, 2021, BBC America unveiled a redesigned logo and tagline – "Brit-ish".<ref name=BBCBritish>{{cite web|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/bbc-americas-new-branding-designed-to-be-brit-ish|work=[[Next TV]]|title=BBC America's New Branding Designed To 'Be Brit-ish'|first=Jon|last=Lafayette|date=April 23, 2021|access-date=August 1, 2021}}</ref>

===Fully owned subsidiary of AMC Networks (2024–present)===
In AMC Networks' Q3 earnings report released November 8, 2024, the company announced that it had closed a deal with the BBC on the first of that month to buy it out of its 50.1% stake in BBC America for $42 million in cash, clarifying that the transaction would be the final time AMC was increasing a non-controlling interest by paying in cash. The report further stated, "Assuming the transaction had closed on September 30, 2024, $132.9 million of redeemable noncontrolling interest related to BBC America, and reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, would have been eliminated. Additionally, the Company’s future contractual programming commitments to BBC Studios would have been significantly reduced." The BBC continues to maintain commercial ties with the channel, with AMC paying licensing fees to BBC Studios for the use of the BBC name and branding and some of the channel's programming.<ref>{{cite web|title=AMC Networks Acquires Full Control of BBC America for $42 Million|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first1=Jennifer|last1=Maas|first2=K.J.|last2=Yossman|date=8 November 2024|access-date=8 November 2024|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/amc-networks-acquires-bbc-america-42-million-1236204741/}}</ref>

==Programming==
{{main|List of programs broadcast by BBC America}}

Some of the programs on the channel are edited either for adult content or to allow for commercials. Occasionally, comedy shows are run in specially formatted 40-minute blocks and a few first-run drama programs are broadcast in a longer block that allows them to run to their original broadcast length. Additional series that has been previously broadcast may periodically return to the schedule as part of the network's rotation of daytime programming.

===Original programming and co-productions===
In the mid-2000s, BBC America produced a few of its own original shows, along with some joint productions; including ''Sharpe's Challenge'', part of the ''[[Sharpe (TV series)|Sharpe]]'' series of [[television film|made-for-television movies]] and co-produced with ITV; and ''[[The State Within]]'' and ''[[Jekyll (TV series)|Jekyll]]'', which were co-productions with the BBC. The first original series produced solely by the channel was ''[[Copper (2012 TV series)|Copper]]'', which premiered in the summer of 2012.<ref name="lat">{{cite news |title=BBC America gives details about its first original drama, 'Copper' |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2012/01/bbc-america-new-historical-drama-copper-franka-potente-tom-fontana.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 4, 2012 |first=Joy |last=Press |access-date=January 17, 2012}}</ref>

BBC America has also branched into co-producing British series, including ''[[Robin Hood (2006 TV series)|Robin Hood]]'', ''[[The Musketeers]], [[Killing Eve]]'', ''[[Mood (TV series)|Mood]]'' and from its fourth series, the revival of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' (until 2022).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbcwpressroom.com/bbc-america/programs/|title=Programs – BBC America Press Room|access-date=May 17, 2016}}</ref> They also co-produced the Canadian series ''[[Orphan Black]]'' with [[Bell Media]]'s [[CTV Sci-Fi Channel|Space]] channel.

===Newscasts===

BBC America used to broadcast ''[[BBC World News]]'' each Monday through Friday morning from 6:00 to 8:00 am [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern]] and [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific Time]]. All news programs now air exclusively on the BBC News Channel, also distributed by AMC Networks in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbcamerica.com/schedule|title=Schedule|website=BBC America}}</ref>

The weekday morning (6:00–9:00 am Eastern) simulcast used to include ''BBC World News'' bulletins, ''[[World Business Report]]'', ''Sport Today'', ''Asia Today'', and a one-hour bulletin called ''[[World News Today]]''. Most of these were removed from the schedule without any announcement on April 6, 2009. The weekend morning (6:00–6:30 am ET) simulcast was also abruptly dropped on April 4, 2009. According to BBC America, the simulcast was dropped because of disappointing ratings.<ref name=guardian>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/apr/06/bbc-america-paxman-newsnight|title=Jeremy Paxman's US Newsnight axed in shakeup at BBC America|author=Leigh Holmwood|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=May 10, 2015|date=2009-04-06}}</ref>

From 2007 to 2011, BBC America broadcast ''[[BBC World News America]]'', a live [[Washington, D.C.]]–based program anchored by [[Matt Frei]]. [[Katty Kay]] served as a Washington-based correspondent. On February 18, 2011, network management announced that ''BBC World News America'' would be dropped from BBC America and would instead be broadcasting only on the BBC World News channel and [[PBS]] member stations in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/464159-_BBC_World_News_America_Shifts_To_BBC_World_News.php |title='BBC World News America' Shifts To BBC World News - February 18, 2011 20:13:35 | Multichannel News |publisher=Multichannel.com |access-date=December 17, 2011}}</ref>

The network was in discussions to unveil a weekly news program fronted by ''[[Newsnight]]'' host [[Jeremy Paxman]], who was to introduce a synopsis of ''Newsnight'' items with an international aspect and was expected to bring his interviewing style to bear on American politicians. An international edition of ''Newsnight'' debuted on February 29, 2008, in the 10 pm time slot. This program was cancelled in November 2008, but the announcement of the program's cancellation was not made until April 2009.<ref name=guardian/>

During major breaking news events, the network sometimes replaces scheduled programs with coverage from BBC News; the [[7 July 2005 London bombings|London bombings in July 2005]] was one example. BBC News's American coverage started out sparse, but has expanded within the last decade on several providers throughout the United States, generally alongside BBC America as part of AMC Networks' [[retransmission consent]] negotiations (one previous example is New York City-based [[Cablevision]], which did not carry BBC America until August 2011) or ''[[BBC World News America]]'', an American-focused news program presented by Katty Kay and usually from Washington, D.C., mainly carried by American [[public television]] stations through a distribution agreement with Washington [[PBS]] member station [[WETA-TV]].

=== Sports ===
BBC America has carried coverage of the [[PDC World Darts Championship]] in simulcast with [[Sky Sports]], with preliminary rounds streaming, and the finals airing on television.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com:443/en/Journal/Issues/2018/12/17/Media/Sports%20media.aspx|title=BBC America aims for bull's-eye of niche sports with darts championship|date=December 17, 2018|website=Sports Business Daily|language=en|access-date=2018-12-18}}</ref>

==Identity==
At launch, BBC America carried the [[BBC One "Balloon" idents|BBC One balloon]], with a limited set of idents.<ref>[https://tvark.org/branding/international-tv/usa/bbc-america BBC America | TVARK]</ref> This was replaced in 2001 by a new look designed by TZ Design, a predominantly white look with the Union Jack appearing.<ref>[https://janetkdanielcreative.com/weite-avenue/ BBC AMERICA BRAND CAMPAIGN - Janet K Daniel Creative]</ref><ref>Bege, L. (2001). It's a team approach.. Videography, 26(11), 122.</ref> In April 2004, [[Red Bee Media|BBC Broadcast]] unveiled a new look for the channel, winning the bid against two US design firms. The new identity was "coherent" in order to cater all media, while maintaining the white and black scheme and the colors of the Union Jack, core elements of the previous look, in the rebrand.<ref>[https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/1-april-2004/bbc-america-switches-on-to-bbc-broadcast-identity/ BBC America switches on to BBC Broadcast identity]</ref>

On January 17, 2007, a new look by design firm mOcean was unveiled, featuring a secondary blue, whhite and red bullseye logo with a lowercase A, as well as the tagline ''A little Brit different''. The new look had consultancy from BigSmall and was designed by BigStar.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/bbc-america-refreshes-look-air-127543/ BBC America refreshes look on-air, online]</ref>

The current identity brought forth the secondary logo unveiled in 2021 a chance to become primary. The "Brit-ish" tagline is a subtle reference to British humor.<ref name=BBCBritish/>

==Outside the U.S.==
{{for|similar BBC-branded channels outside the U.S. and the Caribbean|International BBC television channels}}
BBC America is available in Caribbean countries, such as:

* [[Bermuda]] on [[One Communications]]'s cable service,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onecomm.bm/sites/default/files/One_TVChannelGuide_May28.2017_P.pdf|title=TV Packages & Channel Guide|access-date=August 15, 2018|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026062710/https://onecomm.bm/sites/default/files/One_TVChannelGuide_May28.2017_P.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[World on Wireless]] service,<ref>[http://www.wow.bm/Pages/ChannelLineUp.htm WOW :: World On Wireless - Bermuda] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420130755/http://wow.bm/Pages/ChannelLineUp.htm |date=April 20, 2009 }}</ref>

* The [[Bahamas]] on [[REVTV]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cablebahamas.com/revtv/compare-channels/|title=Channel Lineup|access-date=August 15, 2018|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030758/https://www.cablebahamas.com/revtv/compare-channels/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* [[Barbados]] on [[Flow (brand)|Flow]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discoverflow.co/barbados/tv/channel-lineup|title=Lineup - Flow - Barbados|website=discoverflow.co}}</ref>

* [[Cayman Islands]] on Logic TV,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvlistings.gracenote.com/grid-affiliates.html|title=TV Listings- Find Local TV Listings and Watch Full Episodes|date=September 1, 2017|website=Zap2It}}</ref>

* [[Grenada]] on [[Flow (brand)|Flow]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discoverflow.co/grenada/tv/channel-line|title=Flow - Grenada - Channel Line-Up|website=discoverflow.co|access-date=August 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815131421/https://discoverflow.co/grenada/tv/channel-line|archive-date=August 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* [[Telbo MiTV]] in [[Bonaire]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telbo.net/tv-packages.html|title=MiTV Packages - TELBO|access-date=August 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803105741/http://www.telbo.net/tv-packages.html|archive-date=August 3, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* [[Curaçao]] on [[Flow (brand)|Flow]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discoverflow.co/curacao/digital-tv/channel-line-up|title=Flow Extended Basic 24 channels|access-date=April 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317080655/http://discoverflow.co/curacao/digital-tv/channel-line-up|archive-date=March 17, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* [[SXM Cable & Data]] in [[Sint Maarten]]<ref>[https://www.stmaartencabletv.sx/cable-tv-service/packages-rates/ SXM Channel Line Up] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417163254/http://sxmcable.com/images/files/SXM_ChannelLineUp.pdf |date=April 17, 2016 }}</ref>

It is also available in the Pacific in the US territory of [[Guam]] on [[DoCoMo Pacific]]<ref name="docomopacific.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.docomopacific.com/tv/channel-listing|title=Channel Listing - TV - DOCOMO PACIFIC Guam|website=www.docomopacific.com}}</ref> and [[GTA Teleguam]]'s [[IPTV]] service;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gta.net/digital-tv/programming/channel-line-up|title=Guam Cable TV - Guam Digital Television - GTA Teleguam|publisher=gta.net|access-date=May 10, 2015|archive-date=October 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004021413/http://www.gta.net/digital-tv/programming/channel-line-up|url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as in the [[Northern Marianas]] on DoCoMo Pacific.<ref name="docomopacific.com" />

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.bbcamerica.com}}

{{AMC Networks}}
{{BBC Television}}

{{Portal bar|1990s|BBC|Television|United States|New York}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bbc America}}
[[Category:Television networks in the United States]]
[[Category:International BBC television channels]]
[[Category:English-language television stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1998]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:AMC Networks]]
[[Category:BBC Worldwide]]
[[Category:Former joint ventures]]
[[Category:Former Discovery, Inc. subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Shorty Award winners]]

BBC America - Revision history

2607:FEA8:4B80:D810:AD02:9CE4:424F:7DA6 at 19:43, 30 September 2025