BBC Studios Australia & New Zealand

We’re pleased to announced that Sarah Kenny is expanding her role to lead on programming and acquisition for our local channel portfolio in addition to her existing BritBox role. Sarah has done a fantastic job leading the editorial proposition for BritBox and driving growth in Australia since its launch. As Head of Content and Editorial for Britbox and Branded Services, Australia and New Zealand, Sarah will bring a holistic approach to content strategy across channels and BritBox following BBC Studios acquisition of 100% of BritBox International earlier this year. AS BBC First exits Foxtel, Binge and Fetch on July 31st, BritBox will be the new place for Australian audiences to view premieres of some of the biggest shows from BBC Studios with the streamer picking up fan favourites Death in Paradise, Call The Midwife and Silent Witness. BritBox will also premiere The Jetty – a new crime thriller starring Jenna Coleman.

Another great year for BBC Studios, with an eye on the future. The company is investing and transforming, particularly here in Australia and NZ, where we have seen investment in BritBox, BBC.com and the BBC app, and Werner Films - all important to our digital and content growth plans. Excited to see what next year brings.

Congratulations to Kate O'Connor, Director of Brands and Licensing and the mastermind behind brand Bluey in ANZ, who is among the incredible women shortlisted in the marketing category for the B&T Women in Media Award! The shortlist recognises those women who are brand champions connecting with customers on all levels and driving growth for their businesses. 

We are proud to have two of our exceptional leaders in the running for B&T Women in Media People's Choice Award 2024 - Fiona L., General Manager, BBC Studios ANZ and Kate O'Connor, Director of Brands and Licensing. Both have achieved incredible success for the business through their leadership and innovation, breaking barriers while ensuring BBC Studios ANZ is a place where all have the opportunity to grow and flourish. Show your support by voting at https://lnkd.in/gpK7rCfx

Mastermind has reached an incredible milestone celebrating its 500th episode today on SBS! The show was the first commission for BBC Studios Productions Australia when it set up in 2018. Now in its sixth series, the show brings audiences back week after week. The eclectic mix of contestants’ specialist subjects offer a window into the Australian psyche and have included topics as diverse as the human brain, the Therano and Elizabeth Holmes Saga, the works of Jim Henson and First Nations footballers. Since it began more than 1000 contestants have taken their place in the spotlight and quiz writers have produced a mammoth 34,000 questions on the chosen subjects and over 37,000 general knowledge questions. Tonight Katrina Pattinson, Eric Wan, Callum Baggott and Zoey Cash take their turn to be grilled by Marc Fennell, answering questions against the clock on general knowledge and their specialist subjects of the AFL’s Collingwood, the game of Mahjong, Daniel Ricciardo and the music of Smokey Robinson. Good luck to all the contestants and congratulations to all involved with the show! Marc Fennell, Emily Griggs, Damian McDermott, Deborah Spinocchia, Lucy De Luca, Sarah Breen, Arianna Gusi, Will Hamilton, Kylie Washington

Celebrating the success of our TV Week Logies nominees. Congratulations to Dancing With the Stars host Sonia Kruger, BBC Studios Productions Australia and our commissioning partner Seven Network. And to Ludo Studio and Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) for Bluey. Our independent production label Werner Film Productions has also scored four nominations for The Newsreader, congratulations to all involved.

A great opportunity in Melbourne with our independent production label Werner Film Productions.

Today we announced the BBC News channel will be available online and free for the first time in Australia later this winter. A livestream of the channel will be available digitally on bbc.com and the BBC App. This is an important step for our evolving business, showcasing the potential of our new digital products. The move gives Australian audiences unrestricted access to the BBC News channel via our own platforms, expanding its reach, the viewer experience and the advertising offer yet further. As the number 1 international news brand accessed daily in Australia, audiences will now be able to catch up on the latest live headlines at any time and wherever they are, through the BBC’s digital platforms. In an important year for global elections, including in the US for which the BBC will be offering enhanced coverage,  the BBC's trusted, accurate, impartial and independent journalism will be even more accessible.

Hundreds of #Bluey fans came together today in Queensland and set a world record for the biggest game of Keepy Uppy! 💙🎈 Adjudicators from The Australian Book of Records oversaw three official games played simultaneously at Brisbane’s South Bank, the Gold Coast’s Main Beach and Cairns Esplanade. This record-breaking event marks the launch of Tourism and Events Queensland's new destination marketing campaign, ‘Queensland is Bluey’s world for real life’. In partnership with BBC Studios, the campaign aims to attract visitors to Bluey's home state of Queensland, and to explore the Bluey’s World immersive experience opening in Brisbane this November. Congratulations to all the Keepy Uppy enthusiasts whose amazing efforts made today’s achievement possible!

This week saw the New Zealand launch for Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder: Where Science Meets Fiction at Tākina, Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. Doctor Who has been finding fans in New Zealand since 1964 when it became the first country outside of the UK to screen the series. And now New Zealand will be the first country outside of the UK to host this exhibition.   From June 1, Kiwi fans of Doctor Who can come face to face with the show’s iconic characters in the Monster Vault, share the Doctor’s adventures, explore some of the worlds visited on screen and find out more about the scientific themes in the show. It’s a fascinating exhibition and a great example of how BBC Studios works with partners to give fans new ways to enjoy their favourite shows and characters.   Congratulations to all involved including Sarner International Ltd who have produced the exhibition under licence from BBC Studios, partners WellingtonNZ and Wellington City Council and to the exhibition’s curator Jeff Parker.