BBC draws 640 buyers to Showcase

LONDON -- BBC Worldwide's annual U.K. sales market, Showcase, is expecting more than 640 international buyers to attend this year's event, a hike of almost 100 on last year's Showcase. Taking place in the English city of Liverpool for the first time, Worldwide is beefing up the market's appeal by staging a one-day talking shop focusing on the growing importance of digital distribution. The keynote speaker is Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos. Other contributors include social TV specialist Miso's CEO Somrat Niyogi, IPTV combo Maxdome Germany's managing director Christoph Bellmer, and the CEO of IPTV company FetchTV Australia Scott Lorson. Steve Macallister, prexy and managing director, sales and distribution, BBC Worldwide, said: "With a significant increase in delegates from America and Asia, and many digital clients attending for the first time, including Hulu, Netflix, Yota, Onet, CME and FetchTV Australia, we have exceeded our expectations and look forward to welcoming a record breaking number of delegates to this iconic city." Showcase runs Feb. 26-29, and is expected to gross in excess of 50 million ($75.8 million) for Worldwide.Shows being pushed by Worldwide at Showcase include Sky TV dramas "Sinbad" and crime caper "Mad Dogs," ITV's detective skein "Whitechapel," and the BBC's Edwardian saga "Parade's End," plus the Corp.'s domestic new breakout hit "Call the Midwife." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com