BBC draws 640 purchasers to Showcase

LONDON -- BBC Worldwide's annual U.K. sales market, Showcase, is expecting a lot more than 640 worldwide purchasers to go to the 2011 event, a hike of just about 100 on last year's Showcase. Happening within the British town of Liverpool the very first time, Worldwide is beefing in the market's appeal by staging a 1-day speaking shop concentrating on the growing need for digital distribution. The keynote speaker is Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos. Other contributing factors include social TV specialist Miso's Boss Somrat Niyogi, IPTV combo Maxdome Germany's controlling director Christoph Bellmer, and also the Boss of IPTV company FetchTV Australia Scott Lorson. Steve Macallister, prexy and controlling director, sales and distribution, BBC Worldwide, stated: "Having a significant rise in associates from America and Asia, and several digital clients attending the very first time, including Hulu, Netflix, Yota, Onet, CME and FetchTV Australia, we've exceeded our anticipation and anticipate welcoming an archive breaking quantity of associates for this legendary city." Showcase runs February. 26-29, and it is likely to gross more than 50 million ($75.8 million) for Worldwide.Shows being pressed by Worldwide at Showcase include Sky TV dramas "Sinbad" and crime caper "Mad Dogs," ITV's detective skein "Whitechapel," and also the BBC's Edwardian saga "Parade's Finish," as well as the Corp.'s domestic new breakout hit "Call the Midwife." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com