BBC Worldwide plans overseas HD channels

According to a report in the Guardian, BBC Worldwide is planning to launch a new high definition channel in Australia, Japan, Italy, and South Korea.

The channel will be rolled out to other countries later and will feature a “mixed genre” of programming.

The global expansion is part of the broadcaster’s strategy to increase profits to £222m profits in 5 years.

A total of 30 channels could be launched internationally, together with the high-definition outlet and an on-demand service in the US.

The US is a key element in BBC Worldwide’s expansion plans. It hopes to build on the success of its BBC America entertainment channel and will launch a simulcast high-definition version early in 2008.