Banished, the first commission from Australian cable channel BBC First, premiered on BBC2 last week, winning its timeslot but failing to impress many UK critics.
The omens weren't great in the lead-up to the premiere of Banished on BBC First amid the controversy over absence of Indigenous characters in the drama set in penal colony NSW.
While the overnight ratings for BBC First's shows are quite small, the consolidated national numbers indicate Foxtel’s newest channel is reaching fairly sizable audiences.
Helena Bonham Carter, Daniel Radcliffe, David Tennant, Emma Thompson, Ricky Gervais, Steve Coogan and Jennifer Saunders are among the stars whose shows will screen on BBC First, the premium drama and comedy channel which launches on Foxtel in August.
New premium drama channel BBC First has announced epic 10-part drama series Indian Summers starring Julie Walters (Harry Potter, Mamma Mia), as its latest acquisition.
New premium drama channel BBC First will launch on Foxtel at 9.30am on Sunday 3rd August.
BBC Worldwide's first premium drama channel isn't pulling vast numbers on Foxtel, at least measured by the average audiences in prime-time.
New premium drama channel BBC First got off to a great start with overnight figures* for launch day, Sunday 3 August, showing: