BBC America

BBC America is a digital cable and satellite television network in the United States which is jointly owned by BBC Worldwide and AMC Networks.

Unlike the BBC's domestic channels in the United Kingdom, BBC America does not receive funding from the UK licence 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 not available in the United Kingdom. Consequently, BBC America operates as an advertiser-supported channel and accepts traditional advertising. It is also funded by cable and satellite TV subscription fees.

As of February 2015, BBC America is available to approximately 78,375,000 television households (67.3% of cable, satellite and telco customers) in the United States.

History

BBC America was launched on March 29, 1998, presenting a mixture of comedy, drama and lifestyle programs from BBC Television and other British television broadcasters including 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 programming later stated that it was important for the channel to establish a niche since non-UK viewers found the lifestyle shows appealing. Most of the newer programs appeared as part of BBC America's evening schedule.