BBC sells Animal Planet share to Discovery

LONDON, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- The BBC announced Monday it is ending its 13-year-old partnership with Discovery Communications to focus on its own branded channels.

The English broadcaster is selling its 50 percent stake in international channels such as Animal Planet and Liv back to America's Discovery for $156 million.

"The launch and growth of BBC-branded international channels is an important strategic priority for BBC Worldwide and the sale of the 50 percent interest in Animal Planet and Liv will enable us to bring increased focus to these fast-growing channels, and to progress a number of other strategic priorities," John Smith, chief executive officer of BBC Worldwide, said in a statement.

The BBC and Discovery will, however, continue to co-produce, through 2014, natural history series like their past successes "Planet Earth," "Blue Planet" and "Wonders of the Solar System."

"This new co-production agreement continues a tradition of developing world-class, global hits such as 'Planet Earth' and 'Life' that began 25 years ago when Discovery launched in the United States," Mark Hollinger, president and chief executive officer of Discovery Networks International, said in a statement.

"This extended deal with Discovery enables us to continue producing the most ambitious and creative landmark factual programming for viewers until 2014 and provides exceptional value for license fee payers. It will enable us to build on some of the natural history and specialist factual co-productions we already have planned, such as David Attenborough's epic series about the cycle of seasons, 'Frozen Planet,' for 2011," said Director of BBC Vision Jana Bennett.