BBC top quality channels for Asia

LONDON -- BBC Worldwide is growing its Asian footprint by starting top quality channels. This news is going to be introduced by Jana Bennett, prexy of BBC Worldwide Systems and global BBC iPlayer, in the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Assn. of Asia gabfest in Hong Kong on Tuesday. BBC Worldwide will bow BBC Understanding, BBC Entertainment, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies in Thailand in The month of january. In Taiwan, BBC Worldwide Channels has pacted with Chung Hwa Telecom to produce BBC Understanding, BBC Lifestyle and BBC Entertainment on IPTV platform MOD. In Indonesia, BBC Lifestyle joins BBC Understanding and CBeebies on NexMedia. The Corp.'s commercial arm can also be bowing a Lonely Planet-top quality block of shows on BBC Understanding across Asia beginning Tuesday. Beefing in the agendas may be the U.K. version of series "Top Gear," that will air on BBC Understanding across Asia within two days of their British broadcast in 2012. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com