The BBC is, well, shaping up to compete with our own public broadcaster, ABC - after the BBC brand is starting to take a stranglehold in our local media.

BBC’s commercial arm - BBC Worldwide - announced that it would be taking control over UKTV last week, and announced plans for BBC Knowledge and Cbeebies - both channels being part of its worldwide push. The BBC already has BBC World News, BBC HD and UKTV on the Foxtel platform, and the two other channels will launch when Foxtel adds more capacity.

As well, they are assisting in shows like Top Gear Australia, being broadcast on SBS, and has established a joint-venture with PBL Media’s ACP Magazines.

This comes when the ABC readies for their submission of federal grants - remember, we don’t pay license fees, aiming to raise $850 million and extra money to launch ABC3 - a children’s channel. ABC has said that Cbeebies will not affect their plans - as the ABC purchases over 200 hours of content from the Beeb every year - mainly children shows, but also Doctor Who and Spooks.