ON TOP OF THE WORLD WITH BBC WORLD

BBC World secures travel industry agreement with Tenzing, and another
industry deal with United Airlines and Starwood Hotels & Resorts

BBC World, the BBC’s 24-hour international news and information channel, has secured two major new deals within the travel industry. An agreement with Tenzing – premier providers of global connectivity – will offer the connected traveller faster, fresher news and sporting events from around the world while in flight. A separate alliance with United Airlines and the Starwood Hotels & Resorts – comprising Westin, Sheraton, Four Points, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection and W Hotels – means customers can enjoy the very best of the BBC’s award winning current affairs, documentary and lifestyle programming while flying.

Tenzing, technology leaders of inflight connectivity, can now offer travellers the latest BBC World daily news bulletins. By pioneering this new technology through their existing onboard offerings and then adding broadband on demand, Tenzing will allow passengers travelling with Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Scandinavian Airlines Systems (SAS), Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and VARIG the ability to watch live television content and regular programming while in transit. This hybrid technology would allow the passenger access to a broader multitude of programming, and will also enable them to use their laptops and existing e-mail for a continual connection. BBC World will be the first content provider onboard with a projected launch of mid-late next year.

Laura Alikpala, Director of Market Development for Tenzing, said: “Tenzing Communications is pleased to be expanding our content offering with quality news and entertainment programming from BBC World. Passengers will be able to view high-speed TV-quality images via Tenzing’s broadband connectivity system.”

In a second travel initiative, a two-hour branded block of BBC World programming has been produced for United Airlines in a unique three-way partnership between BBC World, United Airlines and Starwood Hotels who, as sponsors, have bought advertising space on the channel. Passengers can relax while travelling and enjoy a variety of popular programmes such as Click On Line, Talking Movies, Simpson’s World, and HARDtalk on United Airlines’ US to London and Amsterdam routes as well as from the US to the South Pacific routes.

John Rohr, Managing Director of Video Services, Pace Communications, United’s Inflight Entertainment Partner, said: “We are very proud to offer United’s international travellers the outstanding resources of BBC World. We can be certain the partnership will set a new standard for excellence for Inflight Entertainment”.

Scott Sager, Senior Staff Representative, United Airlines adds: “We are thrilled to have BBC World onboard United Airlines. Not only does it add to our specialised variety of programming, but the integrity that BBC World brings along is impeccable. It’s a great addition for us.”

Susanne Barfoed, Director of Advertising, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Europe, said: “We are thrilled to provide BBC World’s high-quality inflight entertainment to the customers of United Airlines, one our most prestigious and important airline partners.”

Bill Mould, Head of Travel Distribution, BBC World, said: “We are delighted with both of these new developments as we go from strength to strength within travel related distribution across the world. By working more closely with the technology, airline and hotel industry, we aim to provide the traveller with the very best of BBC World’s news and entertainment programmes”