BBC America add more programmes to its menu

BBC America has revealed a host of series purchases for the network to begin airing next month on the United States broadcaster from BBC Worldwide.The channel is to air Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, with the rights to the first two series. The impassioned chef, TV personality and best-selling author is determined to take on the high statistics of obesity, heart disease and diabetes in America, where our nation’s children are the first generation not expected to live as long as their parents. Oliver is inviting viewers to take a stand and change the way America eats, in our home kitchens, schools and workplaces, with this thought-provoking series. Jamie’s Food Revolution premieres Tuesday, July 10, 9:00pm ET/PT.

American audiences will also have the US Premiere of Going for Gold, no not the old European game show, but the drama Going for Gold – The ’48 Games which is described as an inspiring story of how two young British men, Bert Bushnell and Dickie Burnell, were thrown together just weeks before the final of the 1948 London Olympics and rose above distinctions of birth and class to defy the odds and become gold medalists. Bushnell is played by Doctor Who lead star Matt Smith and Burnell is portrayed by Sam Hoare of Jane Eyre fame. Going for Gold: The ’48 Games premieres Wednesday, July 25, 8:00pm ET/PT

It’s the world premier for The Nerdist. Host Chris Hardwick – comedian, writer, Doctor Who fan and creator of the hit Nerdist podcast – joins special guests in a comedic roundtable discussion of all the things that nerds love, from pop culture to news, tech trends and more.  In The Nerdist: Comic-Con, Hardwick and his crack team of nerd experts do their best to piece together what happened at this year’s Comic-Con.

From cosplayers and blockbuster films to new TV shows and video games, this episode has it all. Even comic books. Hardwick and his co-hosts will also be joined by several in-studio special guests, including Copper’s Tom Weston-Jones. The Nerdist: Comic-Con premieres Saturday, July 28, 9:00pm ET/PT. In The Nerdist: Tribute to Toys & Games, Chris and co-hosts Jonah Ray and Matt Mira talk about the nerdiest toys, collectibles and games. Premieres Saturday, July 28, 10:00pm ET/PT.

New episodes of established shows such as Top Gear, The Graham Norton Show, Merlin, Twenty Twelve and Inside Men will also continue on the network. The channel is also showing a Doctor Who marathon, which sees from 6am to 8pm a re-run of the series five episodes starring Matt Smith.

Established in 1998, BBC America has been a high profile outlet for British shows in America. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the channel has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy®, five Golden Globes® and ten Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable’s most affluent and educated audiences and is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 79 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms.