Channel 4 Sales to represent PBS UK

Channel 4 is to become the exclusive advertising sales representative for PSB's new UK channel, PBS.

PBS is one of America's most valued brands, held in high esteem for its award winning quality public service output.  With the objective of making PBS's rich offering of award-winning science, history and current affairs programming available to British viewers, the UK PBS channel is a joint venture between Canadian-born entrepreneur and venture philanthropist, David Lyons, and PBS Distribution (PBSd), which holds the international rights to the majority of PBS's programming. 

Launching on Tue 1 November 2011 on Sky channel 166 with the strapline 'where television matters', key highlights include the UK television premiere of Prohibition, the latest five part film by Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker, Ken Burns; Special When Lit, an enlightening film on the history of pinball; alongside PBS's highly regarded Nova, Ameican Experience and Frontline strands which will broadcast every weeknight in primetime.  

Jonathan Allan, Channel 4's Sales Director said: 'PBS and Channel 4 have a natural synergy - in becoming their sales house we're helping bring the best public service programming from the US to a UK audience.  The deal reinforces Channel 4 Sales' position as the premium sales house for high quality public service content.'

PBS joins the portfolio of channels sold by Channel 4 Sales - alongside Channel 4, More4, E4, Film4 and 4Music, UKTV's 10 channels  (Alibi, Blighty, Yesterday, Gold, Really, Eden, Good Food, Home, Dave and Watch) and six Box Channels (Box, Q, Kiss, Smash, Kerrang, Magic).

Richard Kingsbury, General Manager of PBS UK said: 'In the States, PBS is well-loved and trusted for its award-winning programming, so it was essential for us to select a company capable of delivering a high quality viewing experience throughout the ad-breaks as well. There's an obvious fit between our two brands and we're delighted to be represented by Channel 4.'