BBC Worldwide unveils a new commissioning strategy for localised content for BBC Entertainment, BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle.

BBC Worldwide Channels today revealed a new commissioning strategy for original content, wanting to commission 100 hours of new original content per year by 2014, and aiming for a threefold increase in the number of original hours ordered in 2012 for BBC Entertainment (DStv 120), BBC Knowledge (DStv 251) and BBC Lifestyle (DStv 180) which BBC Worldwide runs in South Africa on MultiChoice's DStv as well as elsewhere in the world.

In the same way that BBC Worldwide Channels has done a first and is now broadcasting a second series of Come Dine with Me South Africa, BBC Worldwide wants to diversify its international portfolio of programming from beyond just a largely acquisitions-based content pipeline.

BBC Worldwide Channels wants to commission a lot more local programming for individual target markets, such as South Africa, which fit in with the global brand.

Producers like Rapid Blue who are producing Come Dine with Me South Africa  for BBC Worldwide as an ITV format show, have to match the quality of shows acquired from the BBC for BBC Worldwide's international audiences - which of course Come Dine with Me South Africa did and continues to do beautifully.

BBC Worldwide wants to make a long term investment in high volume formats with the potential to run up to 50 episodes. Tracy Forsyth, the vice president for commissioning, wants producers to create shows around factual entertainment formats with strong British connectivity, which might be through talent, subject matter, or irreverent wit and homour, but still with a tangible takeaway for the audience.

BBC Worldwide Channels will be looking to fully fund and also co-produce projects, working with the independent production community as well as the BBC's in-house production teams. In addition to ordering new shows from the BBC, Tracy Forsyth will commission international versions of some of the BBC's flagship shows, but tailored specifically for viewers outside the United Kingdom.

"Since I joined the business in January this year, I've been working with the regional programming teams within BBC Worldwide to clearly identify the gaps in our schedules that can't be filled from our acquisitions pipeline," says Tracy Forsyth in a statement.

"The new shows I am ordering will give viewers of our BBC branded channels around the world more of the quality British content and talent they love, in their first run and tailor-made to suit their tastes."

"I look forward to working with independent producers as well as the BBC's in-house teams to create a brand new slate of shows that will celebrate the best of British talent and creativity, and inform, educate and entertain audiences around the world."