BBC Worldwide Channels which runs BBC Entertainment (DStv 120), BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174), BBC Knowledge (DStv 184) and CBeebies (DStv 306) on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform unveiled its upcoming programming across the channels to ad buyers, TV critics and ad sales executives at its 2013 BBC South Africa Winter Upfront which was only done in Johannesburg.
"We know that viewers have a personal relationship with the programmes they love," said Joel Churcher, the account director for BBC Worldwide Channels for the Central Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMA) region about the BBC's four channels "each of which is specifically tailored, shaped and fine-tuned to suit South African tastes".
"Our aim is to grow each of our BBC channel brands and we remain committed to bringing the very best of British programming to South Africa to attract a quality audience," said Joel Churcher.
"We're living through a golden age of British creativity," said Jon Farrar, the head of branded services for Western Europe & Global editorial strategy. "British TV is fizzing with brilliant ideas, captivating talent and dizzying ambition and I'm thrilled that we are able to bring the best of this to our channels in South Africa."
BBC Worldwide announced that the new drama Mr Selfridge is coming to BBC Entertainment about a man setting up London's most famous department store a century ago. The Chase is a new gameshow, and on the factual side there is Polar Bear - My Family and Me.
BBC Lifestyle has the United Kingdom's latest food competition Food Glorious Food coming to South African screens and the channel is adding Bill's Kitchen: Notting Hill to the line-up in which Bill Granger cooks his trademarkvibrant flavours in London's most fashionable neighbourhood.
Two further factual entertainment series coming to South Africa include Best in Town and Million Dollar Intern. "They are themed around the workplace, but it's the characters, conflict, and moments of unbelievable drama that will have viewers coming back each week. We're still in production on them, but early cuts are hugely exciting," said Jon Farrar.
"They are packed with the same sort of jaw-dropping moments that made Come Dine with Me SA such a hit." He said Come Dine with Me SA which will return for a third season to BBC Entertainment "is guaranteed to be the biggest topic of conversation on Monday nights from September".
Here's the BBC channels' upcoming programming:
Mr Selfridge, coming soon
An ITVStudios co-production with Masterpiece distributed by BBC Worldwide. Jeremy Piven is Harry Selfridge setting up a department store in London in 1909.
The Chase, starts Thursday 11 July at 21:00
Bradley Walsh is the presenter of this new quiz show game show.
Glastonbury festival, Sunday 30 June at 18:00
Open air and performing arts festival coverage.
Come Dine with Me South Africa III, starts in September
12-part third season of the show in which four strangers take turns to host a dinner evening and all get graded to find a winner during snark filled dinner parties.
Endeavour, coming soon
A gripping prequel drama series to Inspector Morse. Four new mysteries follow Endeavour Morse (Shaun Evans), whose early days as a detective constable with the Oxford City Police see him risk everything to solve mysteries.
Fool Brittania, coming soon
Dom Joly unleashing pranks, tricks and hidden camera set-ups on the unsuspecting British public.
Food Glorious Food, started Thursday 6 June at 20:00
A competition for budding cooks.
Marbella Mansions, starts Sunday 14 July at 18:00
An insider's view of the multimillion dollar mansions on the Southern Spanish coast, following estate agents, interior designers and property managers working in the top end of Marbella's housing market.
Bill's Kitchen, coming soon
10-part series in which Bill Granger creates delicious dishes with just a few ingredients.
Top Gear Week, coming soon
A televisual treat for petrolheads everywhere with Top Gear 41, Top Gear Festival, Top Gear: The Worst Car in the History of the World and Top Gear: Top Fails.
Unsafe Sex in the City, starts Wednesday 28 August at 21:00
An honest and unflinching look at the dangers of unprotected sex looking at the sexual health of Britain's youth as seen through an STD treatment clinic in Manchester.
Polar Bear - My Family and Me, coming soon
A BBC/Animal Planet co-production in which wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan gains the trust of a family of polar bears to observe a year in the life of these animals.
Penguins - Spy in the Huddle, coming soon
A BBC and Discovery Channel production in which animatronic cameras disguised as penguins infiltrate a colony of emperor penguins in Antarctica.
Old Jack's Boat, starts Monday 5 August at 17:50
Sarah & Duck, coming soon
