China Direct

BBC Worldwide and CCTV-9 sign two China co-production deals

 

[Image courtesy www.bbc.co.uk]

BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of CBI member BBC, and CCTV-9, the documentary channel of Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, recently signed two co-production deals for the new science series Generation Earth and Wonders of Life.

The deals marked the first co-production arrangement between CCTV-9 and BBC Worldwide.

CCTV-9 will broadcast the new Brian Cox series Wonders of Life, which examines the story of life through physics, in winter 2012, while Generation Earth, a study of the most ambitious engineering projects on earth, will air on CCTV-9 in spring 2013.

Steve Macallister, President and Managing Director, Sales & Distribution, BBC Worldwide, said, "BBC Worldwide has been doing business in China for over 20 years, and has established a strong relationship with CCTV. We're proud to bring the U.K. and Chinese creative sectors together on these educational and enlightening series."

Liu Wen, Channel Director, CCTV-9, said, "The BBC is world-renowned for its factual programming, and we've had great success with titles such as Human Planet and Frozen Planet, so we're very pleased to be partnering with them on two groundbreaking new series."

Kim Shillinglaw, the BBC's Commissioning Editor for Science and Natural History, said, "With the support of international partners like CCTV-9, our creative talent have the freedom to push themselves even further in producing outstanding programmes. We're excited to see the results in the finished series, which are large-scale, ambitious, and informative."

Please click here to read the full press release by BBC.

 

 

Penguin China sells Paul French bestseller for adaptation to TV mini-series

 

[Image courtesy of www.penguin.com.cn]

CBI member Penguin announced the sale of the television serial rights to Midnight in Peking by Paul French to Kudos Television for adaptation into a major international TV mini-series.

Already a #1 bestseller in Asia, Midnight in Peking will be published by Penguin in the U.S. on 21 April 2012 and in the U.K. on 31 May.

Please download the full press release by Penguin below.

Download Midnight in Peking Television Rights PR April 2012

Pearson & Penguin report strong China growth

 

 

 

[Images courtesy of www.pearson.com and www.penguin.com]


CBI member Pearson recently announced its preliminary results for 2011, reporting sales up 6% at CER and adjusted operating profit up 12%, reaching £942 million, with growth in all businesses. In developing markets, Pearson reported revenues of US$1 billion, up 24% and now accounting for 11% of Pearson's sales.

In China, Pearson's international education business continued to make significant organic investments in expanding the footprint of Wall Street English. Student enrolments at Pearson's Wall Street English centres in China increased 25% to 53,000, boosted by strong underlying demand and the launch of 11 new centres. Pearson's students continued to rapidly acquire high-level English language skills, with average grade levels achieved by its students rising 11% during 2011.

In December 2011, Pearson also acquired Global Education and Technology Group, a leading provider of test preparation services for students in China who are learning English, for US$155 million in cash. Global Education has approximately 450 (115 owned and 335 franchised) learning centres in 150 cities across China.

CBI member Penguin, a division of parent company Pearson, achieved record profits despite the toughest trading conditions in a generation, reporting sales of £1.062 billion and operating profit of £113 million, representing underlying growth of 1% and 8%, respectively.

Penguin Chairman and CEO John Makinson said, "This is the most turbulent book market that anyone can remember. In spite of this, we have increased both our sales and our profits. This remarkable achievement has been driven by excellent publishing around the globe, demonstrated by market share growth in our three biggest markets, and innovation in every aspect of our digital publishing."

In China, Penguin launched a new English-language publishing programme in China and achieved its first number one bestseller in English with Midnight in Peking. Through its joint venture partnership with 99 Readers, Penguin published 20 classics in Chinese. In 2012, Penguin will publish its first major acquisition of a title for Chinese publication, international tennis star Li Na's autobiography.

Please click here and here to read the full annual results for Pearson and Penguin, respectively. 

University of Edinburgh builds China Exchange programme

 

[Image courtesy of www.edinburgh.ac.uk]

CBI member The University of Edinburgh recently signed agreements with six Chinese institutions, which will enable collaborations between researchers in China and Edinburgh and facilitate international exchange study programmes for students.

The new links include:

     • Edinburgh and the University of Science and Technology in China will explore the possibility of joint 
       teaching and research programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels

     • Edinburgh and Zhejiang University will develop summer schools for students while academics will 
       also explore research collaboration in neuroscience

     • Students from Renmin University in Beijing will be able to undertake one-year undergraduate 
       scholarships at Edinburgh, building on existing collaborations between the institutions on low-  
       carbon degree programmes

     • Edinburgh and East China Normal University will set up two-year exchange programmes for math 
       students, and will explore research opportunities in science

     • Edinburgh is exploring the possibility of joint research programmes with the China Academy of 
       Science

Stephen Hillier, Vice Principal International at Edinburgh, said, “We are excited about the potential of these projects. Expanding our links with China will not only encourage international students to visit and choose to study at Edinburgh, but also to be inspired by fresh ideas and new skills.”

Please click here to read the full press release.

2012 UK Now - the UK's largest arts festival in China - dates for your diary

 

[Image courtesy of www.britishcouncil.org.cn]

Dear CBI members,

We are delighted to let you know that UK Now, the biggest British arts festival in China ever, will be held next year between April and November, featuring hundreds of world-class events in 15 cities across China.

Key goals of UK Now include showcasing the quality, diversity, breadth, and innovation of artistic Britain and celebrating China and the UK as consecutive hosts of the Olympic Games.

Please find attached below a bilingual overview of UK Now.

Download UK Now fast facts EN & CN

UK Now's events programme will be wide-ranging and inclusive, covering all the art forms. Events will include exhibitions, concerts, performances, talks, workshops, collaborative projects, online activities, competitions, etc.

UK Now is sponsored by CBI members including British Airways, Burberry, Diageo, HSBC, InterContinental Hotels Group, Norton Rose, Prudential, and Standard Chartered.

For more information about UK Now please contact either Ms. Hannah Douglas or Ms. Sam Christie.

hannah.douglas@britishcouncil.org.cn tel: 00 86 10 65906903 ext 362

sam.christie@britishcouncil.org.cn tel: 00 86 10 65906903 ext 266