BBC2 to become official home for BBC Films projects

The partnership will be officially launched with the screening of three BBC Films’ features -The Damned United, Eastern Promises and Is Anybody There? – on BBC2 in July.

The channel will also air Notes On A Scandal and The History Boys later in the year.

The decision to make BBC2 the permanent home of BBC Films was made as part of the broadcaster’s Strategic Review earlier this year, which proposed a $37m (£25m) investment into BBC2 from 2012 to boost its distinctiveness and bring more quality drama to the channel.

BBC2 controller Janice Hadlow said: “BBC2 is committed to showing more quality fiction on the channel, and we’re delighted that BBC Films will be part of this. 

“It’s wonderful that licence fee payers will be able to see these films for free following their theatrical releases.”

Christine Langan, Creative Director, BBC Films added: “Establishing a permanent home for BBC Films on BBC2 will enable us to create exciting film moments for our audiences throughout the year, reinforcing our commitment to bring original and distinctive British films to the British public.”

BBC Films produces around eight films a year working in partnership with major international and UK distributors.