PR releases

Orange and BBC World announce global deal

London, Paris 15th November, 2006. Orange and BBC World have extended their current mobile distribution offering by signing a ground-breaking global deal which will allow Orange mobile phone customers in eight new countries to watch the channel live.

BBC World, the BBC's 24-hour international news information service will be the only English language news channel to be streamed live to mobiles in Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, Portugal, Jordan, Egypt and the Dominican Republic.

Orange mobile customers in France have been able to watch BBC World for the past two years. Orange France recently signed a renewal deal to continue this relationship and also offer the channel to IPTV customers.

The global agreement will allow Orange mobile broadband customers to access live breaking news wherever they are by watching BBC World on their mobiles. It also increases BBC World's new media distribution channels worldwide, encompassing mobile, broadband and live streaming to PCs and airline seatback TV systems.

Gerry Ritchie, BBC World's Regional Director and Business Development, Europe, Middle East, South Asia, Americas says: "Orange is one of the most forward thinking new mobile distribution platforms for television so we are thrilled to extend our relationship with them. This new live streaming deal makes our channel even more accessible to mobile users who like to keep in touch with breaking global news while on the move."

Patricia Langrand, Executive Vice President, Content Division, France Telecom, says: "Orange was first in several countries to offer mobile TV to our customers. This agreement allows us to extend and enhance our mobile TV offer ensuring Orange customers have access to a variety of channels at any time. We are now delighted to increase the scope of our partnership with BBC World to include multiple territories."

Orange mobile TV offers customers a multitude of television services and content, customers may view a variety of programmes on their mobiles including well-known soap operas, music videos and sports programmes.

BBC World will be streamed live through 3G or EDGE networks.