BBC Magazines has today announced plans to expand its international magazine portfolio with the launch of BBC Knowledge Magazine, set to hit the American newsstand in August this year.

BBC Knowledge Magazine, published by specialist arm BBC Magazines Bristol, will be aimed at 'the curious mind' and offer informative, entertaining and inspirational features on science, history and nature.

The 100-page full-colour glossy will be published six times a year and will draw on the publisher's existing portfolio of quality specialist factual titles including the award-winning popular science title Focus, BBC History Magazine and BBC Wildlife Magazine.

Andy Benham, Publishing Director of BBC Magazines Bristol, said: "BBC Knowledge Magazine has been positioned to capitalise on the strength of the BBC's brand in the US.

"While the content will feed American interests, the Britishness and BBC-ness of the magazine are seen as being key assets, offering consumers a fresh alternative to what is currently on the market."

BBC Knowledge Magazine will be edited in the UK by Sally Palmer, former Deputy Editor of Focus. Sally will work closely with leading American science journalist John Horgan, who has been appointed as US Consultant Editor.

The title enters the American market following positive qualitative and quantitative research carried out last year.

Burton Cromer, Executive VP Consumer Products, BBC Worldwide Americas, commented: "The BBC's reputation for entertaining, educating and informing is second to none among American audiences.

"For over 40 years, Americans have been eagerly watching and collecting our documentary output, from Kenneth Clark's Civilization in 1969 to Planet Earth today. 

BBC Knowledge Magazine is sure to be a welcome addition for all fans of non-fiction programming."

BBC Knowledge Magazine will be launched with a series of direct mail campaigns carried out by Evergreen Marketing, as well as being available on the US newsstand.

Printed and distributed in America, issue one will go on sale in August priced $5.99 on the newsstand and $29.95 for an annual subscription.

Andy Benham concluded: "While we are initially launching in America, where the concept researched very favourably, the magazine undoubtedly has global appeal. We are already looking at a number of exciting international licensing prospects."

Tabitha Morton

Notes to Editors:

BBC Knowledge
BBC Knowledge is already an established brand, having launched as a television channel in Poland, Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia last year as part of BBC Worldwide’s new Global Channels business.

John Horgan, US Consultant Editor, BBC Knowledge Magazine
John Horgan is an award-winning science journalist and Director of the Center for Science Writings at the Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey.

A former senior writer at Scientific American, John has also written for publications including The New York Times, Time, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times and New Scientist.

For further information visit www.johnhorgan.org.

BBC Magazines Bristol
BBC Magazines Bristol is the trading name of Bristol Magazines Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of BBC Worldwide Ltd., which was created in May 2006 following the sale of non-BBC titles at Origin Publishing Ltd.

BBC Magazines Bristol publishes a portfolio of ten specialist interest magazines and their respective websites including BBC Wildlife Magazine, BBC History Magazine, BBC Music Magazine, Focus, Sky at Night Magazine, Countryfile Magazine, Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, Gardens Illustrated, Homes & Antiques, andnow BBC Knowledge Magazine.

BBC Worldwide
BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

The company exists to maximise the value of the BBC’s assets for the benefit of the licence payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights.

The company has seven core businesses: Global Channels, Global TV Sales, Magazines, Content & Production, Home Entertainment, Global Brands and Digital Media. In 2006/07 BBC Worldwide generated profits of £111 million on sales of £810 million.