BBC TAKE TELETUBBIES TO BURMA

The Teletubbies, 24-hour news and DoctorWho are being introduced to
Burma as theBBC launches three pay-TV channels there next January.


Viewers will be able to watch CBeebies , BBC Entertainment and BBC World News .


All three channels along with BBC World Service in Asia in English
will launch on Forever Group's pay TV platform.


The formerly isolated nation has begun to improve relations with the
West by releasingpolitical prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi and holding
by-elections.


UK Prime Minister David Cameron went to Burma in April, becoming the
first Western leader to visit there since the success of pro-democracy
leader Ms Suu Kyi in parliamentary by-elections.


He is also the first UK prime minister to visit Burma since it gained
independence in 1948.
He said economic sanctions against the nation should be suspended in
recognition of the changes taking place there.


Last year, Ms Suu Kyi revealed DJ Dave Lee Travis's show on the World
Service had beena lifeline when she was under house arrest.

CBeebies is aimed at pre-school children, offering interactive and
educational shows, while BBC World News is the BBC's commercially
funded international 24-hour news and information channel.


BBC Entertainment features drama, light entertainment and comedy. It
also exclusively broadcasts celebrity chat show The Graham Norton
Show, screening it two weeks after it has been aired in the UK.


The BBC has provided news and informationto Burma, via radio on the
BBC World Service,by broadcasting on BBC Burmese since 1940.


Peter Horrocks , director of global news, said: "For many years, the
BBC has delivered accurate, impartial international radio services to
the Burmese people, serving as a vital lifeline service to Aung San
Suu Kyi and those across the country.


"I'm so pleased that the BBC is now able to take the next step forward
with the country to offer that same impartial news via television as
well. It is a great sign of progress for Burma and I'm honoured for
the BBC to play a role in opening the country up to the world."


The launch of the TV channels plus the World Service programming will
potentially reach about 250,000 homes in Burma, the corporation said.