BBC Worldwide starts selling adverts on BBC First; propelled to number one international drama channel on DStv thanks to ITV Studios' Downton Abbey and Mr. Selfridge.

BBC Worldwide that runs BBC First (DStv 119) on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service in South Africa and some other African countries is now selling airtime for commercials on the channel.

BBC First launched in October on DStv as part of the relaunch and rebranding of the BBC Worldwide set of channels including BBC Brit and BBC Earth that replaced BBC Entertainment and BBC Knowledge.

Commercial airtime is now available on BBC First since Sunday 14 February, and with BBC First's first quarter ratings that's available.

Since its launch in October 2015 as a premium British drama channel, BBC First is now ranked as the number two international drama channel on MultiChoice's DStv among LSM8 to 10 Adults, and number two under LSM9 to 10.

Episodes of Downton Abbey and Mr. Selfridge on BBC First - both shows from ITV Studios that BBC Worldwide acquired for its channel - helped BBC First to attain enough DStv viewers to make it the number 1 international channel on DStv among all Adults, and the number 1 international drama channel on DStv respectively.