North Korea's oppressive regime could allow Teletubbies, Doctor Who and EastEnders to be shown on state-run TV if deal with BBC Worldwide is agreed



FCO is working with BBC Worldwide to provide suitable programmes

If a deal is struck with Pyongyang, they could be shown on state-run TV



It is believed shows like Poirot and The Good Life could open people's eyes

Mr Bean, Miss Marple and EastEnders are also being considered



British diplomats have unveiled their secret weapon in the battle to win over North Korea and bring the impoverished dictatorship into line with more enlightened nations... The Teletubbies.

The children’s television show is among several classic series being considered for export to North Korea, which has little exposure to western culture and is ruled with an iron fist by tyrant Kim Jong-Un.



Foreign Office experts are said to be helping BBC Worldwide – the corporation’s commercial arm – choose suitable, inoffensive programmes to sell to its state broadcaster.

The children's show Teletubbies has been shown all across the world and could, it is believed, be broadcast in the closed regime of North Korean if a deal is agreed

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivering a speech through the North's Central Television Station in Pyongyang, North Korea. The station could soon be showing BBC programmes

The Teletubbies are in the running because the four characters – Dipsy, La-La, Tinky Winky and Po – do not have any dialogue.



If successful, such a move could perhaps open the door to shows from other British broadcasters, such as ITV’s Mr Bean, starring Rowan Atkinson.

Series that reveal something of the British way of life, such as EastEnders or The Good Life, would also be suitable choices, a Foreign Office source told The Sunday Times.

In a letter to the Commons foreign affairs committee, Mr Hague wrote: 'In the long term this is a good way to improve understanding about the outside world within such a closed society.

File footage of a North Korean missile launch, which took place in 1998, on television in Seoul, South Korea EastEnders is one of the shows being considered by BBC Worldwide to be shown in North Korea

'You couldn't send Dad's Army as it is about war. But Teletubbies could be an option, or The Good Life, with a bit of gardening and squabbling in the kitchen.'

In November, the BBC claimed its science fiction drama Doctor Who became one of the world's biggest TV shows after a special 50th anniversary episode was watched in 94 countries.

The episode was simultaneously screened in 3D to more than half a million people in cinemas across Latin America, North America and Europe.



BBC Worldwide's other top selling shows include Africa, Top Gear and Parade's End.

The foreign affairs committee chairman, Sir Richard Ottaway, said: 'This is a good use of British soft power.'

