BBC First

On 1 November 2016, BBC First launched as a Subscription Video-On-Demand (SVOD) service in Hong Kong. The channel replaced BBC On Demand and BBC Entertainment on Now TV.[6] On 14 November 2016, the service was launched on myTV Super OTT platform.

BBC First was launched as a Subscription Video-On-Demand (SVOD) service on HyppTV Channel 812 on 1 October 2016, 10 months after BBC Entertainment was dropped from the provider.[1] The channel's content is also available in the "VOD" tab in the HyppTV Everywhere app for iOS and Android.

BBC First launched a Subscription Video-On-Demand (SVOD) service on StarHub TV Channel 522 on 4 April 2016.[7]

On 17 April 2013, it was announced that the BBC had forged a new exclusive deal with Australian subscription television provider Foxtel which would see a new channel launched that would feature comedy and drama content, with programming screening as close to their original UK transmission as possible.[3] It was later announced the new channel would be named BBC First, a new global brand that would roll out in 2014, with Australia being the first location to launch the new channel, on 3 August 2014.[4][4][8][9]

BBC First launched in the Netherlands on 16 May 2015.[10]

BBC First made its debut as a linear channel in Poland on 26 October 2018, replacing BBC HD.

Commenting on the development, Jacek Koskowski, general manager and VP for Poland, BBC Studios, said: “We’re living through a golden era of British drama with outstanding talent producing some of the very best television in the world. Increasing the drama hours on BBC HD was integral to that channel’s recent growth and now we are going further by bringing viewers even more of what they want. Coupled with the addition of Polish and English subtitles for the first time, I’m delighted to be introducing a dedicated premium drama channel to Poland”.[11]

BBC First launched in Croatia, Macedonia and Slovenia on 1 April 2019.[12]

On 7 January 2016, BBC Worldwide and OSN (Orbit Showtime Network) have announced that they had forged a new and exclusive deal which would see the launch of BBC First HD on the first of February 2016. The new channel would broadcast to the Middle East & North Africa and would feature comedy and drama content, with programming screening 48 hours after their UK premiere.

The channel launched in South Africa on 18 October 2015.[13][14]

The channel launched in Turkey on 27 May 2020

There are BBC First programming blocks on the following channels:

• AXN Mystery (Japan, since 7 May 2015)[15]
• Zee Café (India, since 26 June 2017)[16]

• Banished

Not all content are available in all territories.

• A Young Doctor's Notebook
• Alan Partridge: Welcome to the Places of My Life
• Alan Partridge on Open Books with Martin Bryce
• Breathless
• Burton & Taylor
• The Coroner
• Dates
• DCI Banks (series 4)
• Dead Boss
• Derek (series 2)
• Doctor Who (series 1–9)
• The Durrells
• The Fall (series 2)
• Father Brown (series 4)
• The Fear
• The Game
• The Honourable Woman
• This is Jinsy (series 2)
• Luther
• Midsomer Murders
• The Musketeers
• New Tricks (2015)[17]
• Peaky Blinders
• The Politician's Husband
• Quirke
• Roger & Val Have Just Got In
• Sherlock (series 2-3)
• The Village
• Wallander (series 4)

• Wolf Hall (11 April 2015)[18]
• Call the Midwife (2015)[17]
• Class[19]