Body In Balance

Body in Balance (BiB) is a TV channel which broadcasts from Germany. It was the UK's first leisure and health channel.

It airs programming about yoga, pilates, meditation, health & spiritual well being. There are regional versions of the channel for Germany and Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium, Luxembourg, Serbia and, more recently, Greece. In 2011, the channel launched an online video on demand service.

Background

Body in Balance was established in 2005 as a German-language channel. An English-language version, the UK's first leisure and health channel, followed in 2007. The channels were founded in response to the increasing popularity of yoga in both countries.

Since 2008 the channel's European network has grown from four to 30. The UK version was broadcast in the UK, Ireland, and 12 other countries in Europe and south east Asia. The UK version was removed from Sky channel 275 on 13 February 2012 and its satellite feed on Eutelsat 28A also ceased broadcasting.

In November 2011, Body In Balance entered administration, with the channel to be sold as a going concern.^[1] Chief operating officer, Gerald Smith, left the company after concerns were raised over his employment despite being banned from acting as a director until 2021.^[2]

The company was purchased in November 2011 by Alfra Tv Ltd and continues to broadcast in over 20 countries worldwide.

Internet service

Like many modern TV channels, Body in Balance depends on the internet as a 'second screen'. Recently the company has launched a Video on Demand service, on which there are currently between 250 and 300 programmes available. The editorial content on the website is updated weekly, and consists of topical and opinion pieces, as well as advice on health, diet, exercise and wellness.

Audience

Body in Balance describes itself as 'Europe's leading wellness and yoga channel'. The channel has 10 million viewers internationally, across 12 countries and 26 platforms.

In the UK and worldwide, a large proportion of the channel's audience are professionals with an enthusiasm for health and fitness. The channel estimates that in the UK alone there are 9 million professional women with an enthusiasm for fitness, and has announced its intention to further focus on this demographic for future expansion.

Teachers

The channel has worked with a number of notable teachers and instructors. Their yoga instructors include Maya Fiennes and Shiva Rea. Lynne Robinson, described by The Times as 'the Queen of pilates' has also taught for the channel, as has Doug Robertson, who is known for his Perfect Bum series. Among the channel's fitness teachers is Samsara, whose workouts are a hybrid of kickboxing and bellydance.

The channel also works with a number of experts in the field of diet and wellness including Maryon Stewart, who pioneered the field on non-drug medicine in Australia.

Programming

The company has a back catalogue consisting of over 400 hours of material. They license programmes and programme packages to producers throughout the world; recently the channel has made large sales in India and China.

Production

As well as commissioning and acquiring programmes, the channel is increasingly involved in producing them. In 2011 Body in Balance announced that it planned to produce 100 hours of new programming in the course of the year: this is more than it has produced in any year previous.

DVD distribution

Body in Balance has a DVD library of over 40 titles and releases two new ones each month. In the UK, the channel sells to high street stores and supermarkets through RSK, a major distributor. The channel also sells DVDs from its website shop, and on Amazon and other major online shops. In Germany, they have an agreement with Rough Trade, a major retailer. In the US, Body in Balance products are distributed by Sterling Worldwide.

Events

The channel has been a media partner to a number of health and fitness events in the UK and America. In 2010 they were a partner to Yoga on the Lawn in New York. 10,000 people attended the event in Central Park. In 2011 the channel will be an official media partner to the Wanderlust Festival, a festival of yoga and music held in various locations across the U.S.A.

In the UK, the channel was a media partner to the Vitality Show, which took place at the Earl's Court exhibition centre in West London. The event was marketed as 'the ultimate girls day out'. This summer, Body in Balance is holding a Summer Solstice Yoga Workshops with Shiva Rea in ZSL London Zoo.

Satellites

Body In Balance operates two satellite feeds. Eutelsat's 9A delivers to Europe and Eastern Europe in German. In 2010 the company started broadcasting on Chinasat, which currently delivers to Taiwan and the Pacific in Mandarin.

References

External links

• Official website