INDIAN viewers will get a chance to watch programmes ranging from the Teletubbies to My Family when the BBC launches two new television channels on the sub-continent this year.

The Times has learnt that BBC Worldwide, the Corporation’s commercial arm, is close to securing agreement to distribute the children’s channel CBeebies — in Hindi and English — and BBC Entertainment, featuring adult drama.

Initially, the BBC plans to export British programmes, but Darren Childs, managing director of global channels, said that the plan would be to produce programmes locally — and possibly buy Indian production companies — if the business lifts off.

“You could see Indian versions of familiar soap operas,” Mr Childs said. “We’re trying to change how we approach the international channels business and fit things into a local market perspective rather than push them out from London.”

BBC Entertainment will be funded by a mixture of advertising and subscription fees, but CBeebies will be advert-free in an attempt to differentiate it from some American rivals.

The broadcaster is in the process of securing distribution agreements with satellite and cable operators.

The BBC expects the channels to break into profit quickly, because so much of the content has been previously transmitted.

Last year it earned only £1.9 million in profit overseas, mainly from its existing American channel, but it hopes to increase that figure rapidly.

The two new channels are part of plans to develop six BBC channels in every big market worldwide.

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