Beeb preps shop window

Some 500 buyers trek to sales shindig

By STEVE CLARKE

LONDON -- Buyers representing more than 100 broadcasters in over 80 countries are expected to attend the BBC's annual U.K. sales shindig, Showcase, that bows in the British coastal resort of Brighton on Sunday, February 27.

Around 500 of the world's TV buyers should be doing the rounds of the screening stands at the four-day mart.

The pubcaster hopes to generate sales at Showcase worth in the region of $90 million for BBC Worldwide, the org's commercial arm and event host.

Broadcasters attending for the first time are those from Nigeria (Proudly Africa Media), Georgia (TVR), Croatia (RTL), Estonia (Estonia TV) and Ukraine (ICTV).

Mike Phillips, deputy CEO, BBC Worldwide, said, "BBC Showcase has become an essential date in the international TV calendar. The number of delegates attending each year illustrates the continued support of our broadcasting partners around the world and the magnitude of the BBC brand.

"The BBC is unique in that it's the only broadcaster capable of providing such variety and quality of programming."

The event's diary will include a gala night celebrating the success of the hit BBC1 entertainment format, “Strictly Come Dancing,” local versions of which are in production in Russia, Poland and Italy.

BBC Worldwide will unveil more than 600 hours of fare at the market, embracing drama, entertainment, comedy, factual and children's.

Titles include “Sherlock Holmes,” “The Smoking Room,” “Timewatch,” “Genghis Khan,” “The Iceman Murder,” “Kidnapped” and blue chip natural history skein, “Planet Earth.”