Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for visiting our website. Below is a list of questions frequently asked by our viewers. If you can't find what you're looking for, please send us a message via the Contact page.

1. How can I apply to be a contestant on Come Dine With Me South Africa series 3?
2. When does Casualty return to BBC Entertainment?
3. When can I watch a new series of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC Entertainment?
4. When will Downton Abbey series 3 be on BBC Entertainment South Africa?
5. I would really like to work for the BBC - how do I find out about employment opportunities? Can I send you my C.V.?
6. Can I obtain a DVD of a programme for educational or training purposes?
7. Why do you repeat programmes?
8. Why do we keep seeing the same trailers?
9. I am experiencing problems watching the channels – what can I do?
10. How can I submit a programme/TV format to BBC Worldwide?
11. Are your channels available online through this website or elsewhere?
12. How do I get permission to use a clip from a BBC programme?
13. Why can’t I watch programme clips on the bbc.co.uk website?

Answers

1. How can I apply to be a contestant on Come Dine With Me South Africa series 3?

   BBC Worldwide has announced that it has commissioned a third series of SAFTA award-winning (South African Film and Television Awards) and critically-acclaimed ratings hit Come Dine With Me South Africa.

   Applications to become a contestant on the show are now open to South African residents and information on how to apply is available on the website here. Please note the application process will close on 22nd May 2013.

2. When does Casualty return to BBC Entertainment?

   Casualty returns to BBC Entertainment on Friday 10 May at 17:00 and the drama returns from where we left off in February.

3. When can I watch a new series of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC Entertainment?

   We are delighted to tell fans that Strictly Come Dancing series 10 will be premiering on BBC Entertainment from Sunday 9 June at 19:00.

4. When will Downton Abbey series 3 be on BBC Entertainment South Africa?

   We can confirm that we will be showing Downton Abbey series 3 on BBC Entertainment South Africa, but currently we don’t have any confirmed scheduling information. We very much appreciate viewers’ interest in Downton Abbey, and we would recommend that you keep a check on our website for future announcements about series 3 http://www.bbcsouthafrica.com/schedule/entertainment

5. I would really like to work for the BBC - how do I find out about employment opportunities? Can I send you my C.V.?

   Please don't send your C.V. to us. We at BBC Worldwide Channels can't help with enquiries about working at the BBC. When there are vacancies they are advertised in the most relevant newspapers and on the BBC's main website. For general information, advice and the latest vacancies, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/careers.

6. Can I obtain a DVD of a programme for educational or training purposes?

   Possibly, it depends on many things, including copyright restrictions, but it is sometimes possible to arrange for legitimate educational establishments to obtain a copy. For more information, please refer to the BBC Active website http://www.bbcactive.com

7. Why do you repeat programmes?

   Repeating popular shows is common for cable channels and it offers viewers another chance to see a much loved show or a first opportunity to see a show they may have missed before. BBC Entertainment is set a minimum fresh hours remit by DSTV which we regularly exceed, and when premiere content is not available we carefully choose programming that we believe, overall, will be enjoyed by our viewers. We are proud to say that most of the time our ratings, as well as some of the positive comments we have received do support these choices.

8. Why do we keep seeing the same trailers?

   Our aim is to bring you the best programmes possible and we’re keen for viewers who come into the channel at different times of the day and night to know what we have available for them. Research also indicates that viewers need to see a trailer a number of times before they register with them. We work with audience feedback to identify key programmes that we think audiences would like and are careful not to over produce trailers in order to maximise what we spend on programming for the channels. That said, we do air a number of trailers to showcase the breadth of our output, so you should be seeing new things coming up, as well as trailers you’ve seen before.

9. I am experiencing problems watching the channels – what can I do?

   If you are experiencing technical problems with any of our channel/s, please contact your operator first. If they are unable to help, please get in touch with us. In order to investigate the problem for you fully, we will need details of the dates and times at which the problem occurred, the name of the programme, and the channel and country in which you are watching. If you can also tell us through which operator you receive the channel/s, this would be really helpful.

10. How can I submit a programme/TV format to BBC Worldwide?

    BBC Worldwide works with the BBC and independent producers to develop commercial opportunities from their programmes and TV formats. We regret we are unable to consider or comment on unsolicited programme ideas.

    If you wish to pitch your idea to the BBC please visit the BBC Commissioning website

    If you wish to contact an independent production company with your idea you could contact PACT, the industry association, for a list of companies to approach.

11. Are your channels available online through this website or elsewhere?

    Our international channels are not currently available online, but there are many clips available to view on this website, as well as games and other exciting features.

12. How do I get permission to use a clip from a BBC programme?

    For further details please refer to the BBC Motion Gallery

13. Why can’t I watch programme clips on the bbc.co.uk website?

    Much of the content on the bbc.co.uk website is aimed at UK users, so we negotiate rights to include video, audio, images and other types of content for the UK only. World rights are much more expensive, but we are hoping to make more audio and visual content available to our international audiences.