The Summer Season from BBC Worldwide Channels

BBC Worldwide channels unveiled its summer season of programming today, exclusive to DStv viewers in South Africa. The exciting schedules are packed with high-quality programming and A-list talent – including Hollywood star Maggie Gyllenhaal in The Honourable Woman, UK ratings-hit The Musketeers and the return of the critically acclaimed British period drama Downton Abbey.

Our summer schedule is brimming with new, engaging, premium programming. From first-class drama on BBC Entertainment, to mouth-watering shows on BBC Lifestyle and awe-inspiring documentaries on BBC Knowledge, our channels continue to offer unmissable British television.
— Kully Kaur-Bains, Head of Programming South Africa, BBC Worldwide

Kully Kaur-Bains, Head of Programming South Africa, BBC Worldwide said: “Our summer schedule is brimming with new, engaging, premium programming. From first-class drama on BBC Entertainment, to mouth-watering shows on BBC Lifestyle and awe-inspiring documentaries on BBC Knowledge, our channels continue to offer unmissable British television.”

Full details of the line-up can be found here www.bbcsouthafrica.com. Highlights include:

  • BBC Entertainment debuts ratings hit The Musketeers on November 30th at 21:00 and the stars from the hotly anticipated series are in South Africa this week to help celebrate the premiere. Already sold to more than 140 territories around the world, The Musketeers is an original ten-part BBC series set on the streets of 17th century Paris. 
  • A South African audience favourite, the multi-award winning series Downton Abbey returns exclusively to BBC Entertainment in 2015 for its hotly anticipated fourth and fifth series. The first three series of Downton Abbey proved to be runaway successes, commanding a large and loyal following. Series four will premiere on March 15th and series five will follow later in the year.
  • Academy Award-nominated actress Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight) stars in The Honourable Woman, a fast-paced drama set against an international backdrop. Written and directed by BAFTA winner Hugo Blick and quoted as ‘the best drama on television’ by the UK’s Observer, The Honourable Woman tells the story of one woman’s personal journey to right the wrongs conducted in a past life.
  • BBC Lifestyle’s award-winning Great British Bake Off returns for a fifth series and is packed with a range of baking styles and personalities, including Bake Off’s oldest and youngest contestants yet. Presented by baking pros Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, series five drew its highest-ever ratings in the UK, with more than 13 million viewers tuning in to watch the gripping final episode.
  • Hair is a brand new series for BBC Lifestyle that follows eight novice hair stylists as they compete for the title of Britain’s best amateur hairdresser. Hosted by Steve Jones (X-Factor USA), each episode sees the contestants facing three tricky challenges in a race against the clock.
  • Airing exclusively on BBC Knowledge is James May’s Cars of the People.The Model T, the 2CV, The Fiat Cinquecento – history says these are the iconic Peoples’ Cars, but Top Gear presenter James May begs to differ and, in this three part series, he tells the story of the cars he believes are the true Cars of the People.
  • BBC Knowledge exclusively presents Jungle Atlantis, a fascinating new documentary that follows a team of archaeologists as they uncover a lost urban landscape hidden deep inside the Cambodian jungle.
  • CBeebies premieres a brand new animated series that promotes exercise, learning and fun. Exclusive to CBeebies, Hey Duggee is based around Duggee’s Clubhouse, where the loveable big dog Duggee is leader of an after school club called The Squirrels. Hey Duggee is an original 52 episode commission for BBC Worldwide’s channels.

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