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BBC Entertainment (was previously known as BBC Prime)

BBC Prime is the BBC's general entertainment TV channel in Europe and the Middle East, first launched in January 1995. It is funded by subscription available either as part of a satellite package or as a stand-alone channel. As it may carry advertisements in some world regions, it is not available in the United Kingdom as, under the terms of the BBC's Charter, its domestic services cannot show advertising.

When it first launched, BBC Prime also carried programming from the former ITV company Thames Television, as BBC Worldwide had a joint venture, known as European Channel Management, with Thames' parent company, Pearson. This venture was later dissolved, and programmes like The Bill were no longer carried. Owing to rights issues, much of the current programming on BBC Prime is from the Corporation's archive.

The channel's emphasis on archive programming caused considerable annoyance to many British expatriate viewers, who had much preferred the mix of BBC One and Two previously offered by BBC TV Europe and BBC World Service Television. However, the BBC has defended the inclusion of older programmes in the schedule, on the grounds that "for the majority of our viewers, this is the first chance to see these programmes, and often the only way to view them."

In September 2006 it was announced that the BBC Prime brand was to be phased out, replaced by BBC Entertainment, one of a number of new international channels planned by BBC Worldwide. BBC Worldwide's Managing Director of Global Channels, Darren Childs said: "BBC Prime will disappear as a brand. It is something we can do better. It was too non-specific. BBC Entertainment will do what it says on the tin."

Live coverage or highlights of sporting events is not something that BBC Prime includes in its schedules, as they don't have international transmission rights to the action. International rights to the pictures have to be bought on the open market and payment made for European or global transmission. Often the international rights are held by a number of different channels with exclusivity clauses for their territory, and so are unavailable to us.

It is a subscription only service -

A viewing card and suitable receiver is required to view BBC Prime.

The viewing card currently only unlocks BBC Prime and no other channels. It may, in the future, unlock the other BBC Prime TV channels that are thought to be launching soon over Europe (they are already available in Poland as part of the Polish Satellite TV service)

We do not supply the BBC Prime cards (you can use your own Spanish address and bank details for these cards) but can supply the relevant receivers.

More information, contact email and application details can be found at bbcprime.com

UPDATE: February 2009

BBC Worldwide Channels will be making changes to the BBC Prime service in March and April 2009. These changes will require customers to adjust the position of their satellite dish from Hotbird 6 to Eurobird 9, and existing smart cards will be replaced. In order to ensure that the service remains unaffected whilst customers make the changes required, BBC Prime will be available on both satellites for a short period of time prior to switching off the existing feed. Please do NOT adjust the position of your satellite dish now. BBC Prime are in the process of contacting those customers who have a direct subscription with us should expect further details and instructions in the post in due course.

BBC Entertainment Europe Frequency (Standalone package)

Eurobird 9A (9.0°E) 11996.00 V 27500 3/4

BBC Entertainment Europe Frequencies - depends on which satellite TV packages you subscribe to)

Thor 5 (0.8°W) 11325.00 H 24500 7/8
Intelsat 10 (IS-10) (68.5°E) 3716.00 V 20600 3/4
Eutelsat W7 (36.0°E) 12054.00 H
Astra 3A (23.5°E) 12605.00 V 28500 9/10
Hispasat 1C (30.0°W) 11771.00 H 27500 5/6
Eutelsat W3A (7.0°E) 11471.00 H 30000 3/4
Eurobird 16A (16.0°E) 10892.00 H 27500 3/4
Eurobird 2 (25.5°E) 11604.00 H 27500 3/4
Hispasat 1C (30.0°W) 12092.00 H 30000 3/4
Amos 3 (4.0°W) 10842.00 V 30000 2/3
Eurobird 9A (9.0°E) 12437.00 H 27500 3/4
Nilesat 101 (7.0°W) 11862.00 V 27500 3/4
Hotbird 8 (13.0°E) 12092.00 H 27500 3/4

BBC Entertainment Poland Frequency

Hotbird 6 (13.0°E) 11117.00 V 27500 3/4

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