BBC Studios announced yesterday that its premium drama brand, BBC First, will launch for the first time in Croatia, Slovenia, and North Macedonia from April 1.

BBC First will be available through the A1 Telekom Austria Group subsidiaries A1 Croatia, A1 Slovenia and one. Vip platforms and will extend the footprint of the channel in Central and Eastern Europe following its successful debut in Poland last October. The channel will be available to subscribers to A1’s Pay TV service and Xplore TVOTT service with programming fully subtitled into Croatian, Slovenian, and Macedonian from launch.

Home of original, innovative and premium British drama, BBC First provides audiences with unforgettable stories that challenge, immerse and entertain, coupled with A-list and award-winning talent in front of and behind the camera.

Salim Mukaddam, Vice President and General Manager CEE, BBC Studios said “British drama has seen a surge in popularity in recent years owing to its original storytelling and outstanding talent on and off screen. BBC First is uniquely placed in the market as the destination for viewers seeking out this world-class, yet uniquely British drama series, all in one place. I am looking forward to bringing it to more homes across CEE."

“We see content and entertainment as a critical element of our multi-screen customer experience and it's in the core of transforming our offerings from connectivity into personal experiences. Thus we are particularly happy and proud to be the first one in our markets to offer our customers BBC First and its exquisite stories and plots,” says Gernot Rasch, Director Marketing & Operations, A1 Telekom Austria Group.

BBC First is also available as a channel in Australia, Asia, South Africa, the Benelux, the Middle East, and Poland.