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BBC World Service - news archive

This is an archive of news about BBC World Service. Some links may no longer work, due to the transient nature of the internet.

BBC World Service moving to Multiplex B
From Digital Spy. Posted July 17 2008, 2.58pm
The BBC World Service will join the majority of other BBC radio stations on Multiplex B next month. (more)

BBC World Service on the move
From Radio Today. Posted July 16 2008, 10.11pm
If you listen to BBC World Service via Freeview, you'll need to re-tune your set-top box from August 4th as the international radio service is on the move to a different multiplex. (more)

BBC World Service moving to new Freeview multiplex in the UK
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 16 2008, 3.51pm
BBC World Service listeners in the UK who access the international radio channel via Freeview will need to retune their set top box to continue listening after Monday 4 August 2008. The retuning (or rescanning) action is required as BBC World Service is changing to a different digital terrestrial multiplex – one of the bouquets [...] (more)

My week: Joseph Warungu, Editor, African News and Current Affairs, BBC World Service
From Press Gazette. Posted July 7 2008, 12.00am
The BBC's World Service African News went into battle mode as the days unfolded towards the new election for president of Zimbabwe (more)

RFE/RL to end its broadcasts to Romania
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 3 2008, 5.24pm
Just a few days after the BBC announced it is closing its Romanian service on 1 August, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has announced that it will do likewise, also on 1 August.  However, unlike the BBC World Service, RFE/RL’s Romanian-language broadcasts to Moldova and the Transdniester region will continue. The Romanian Service began experimental broadcasting on July [...] (more)

BBC World Service Romanian language offering to close after 68 years
From Media Guardian. Posted June 26 2008, 4.45pm
BBC World Service is to close its Romanian language offering after 68 years of broadcasting. By Tara Conlan (more)

BBC axes Romanian language radio service
From Digital Spy. Posted June 26 2008, 9.54am
The BBC World Service will close its Romanian language offering in August. (more)

BBC Romanian language service to close
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 25 2008, 4.56pm
BBC World Service is to close its Romanian language service. The news and current affairs service is proposing to cease broadcasting on 1 August 2008 after 68 years of broadcasting. BBC Romanian broadcasts for almost four hours a day on radio and also runs a complementary website. It is the last of the BBC’s non-English [...] (more)

BBC Global News maintains record 233m audience
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 10 2008, 12.30pm
For the second year in succession, the BBC’s combined international news services attracted a global weekly audience of over 233 million during 2007/8, according to independent surveys. The global audience figure for the combined services of BBC World Service radio, BBC World News television and the BBC’s international online news service bbcnews.com is up 23 million [...] (more)

Vodafone Group Foundation funds emergency broadcasts in Burma
From Media Guardian. Posted May 23 2008, 9.59am
The BBC World Service is to launch a series of Burmese-language emergency broadcasts in the wake of the destruction of cyclone Nargis. By MarkSweney (more)

My week: Liliane Landor, Editor of BBC World Service news and current affairs
From Press Gazette. Posted May 23 2008, 12.00am
Burma and China dominate the headlines, but there's also Paul Gambaccini to endure and the fear of being beaten at the Sony Awards again… (more)

Asian Network appoints new Programmes Head
From Biz Asia. Posted May 20 2008, 10.40pm
The BBC Asian Network has announced that it has hired Husain Husaini as Head of Programmes. The Head of Programmes role is a new addition to the Asian Network management team and will be focussed on delivering the station's editorial strategy and output over the coming years. Husain has a strong news and editorial background having worked for Radio 5 Live, Today, News 24 and BBC World Service in the past in a variety of roles. His current role is Head of News at Asian Network. Asian Network, Radio 1, 1Xtra and Switch controller Andy Parfitt said, "We are building a very strong leadership team. Husain has an excellent track record of delivery and I am looking forward to building Asian Network's editorial ambitions". Vijay Sharma, Head of Asian Network added, "I'm very pleased to the announce the addition of the Head of Programmes role to the Asian Network management team and particularly pleased that this is Husain given his strong background. It is a welcome addition because it means we can further strengthen the editorial support and guidance that we give to our programme teams". Husain Husaini said of his new role, "It's a real honour to be asked to lead the programme teams. I have been working for two and a half years as Head of News at Asian Network, so I know from close experience that the producers and presenters who make our programmes are talented, enthusiastic and capable". (more)

DRM consortium creates new post of Project Director
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 19 2008, 2.50pm
Although many people are of the opinion that Digital Radio Mondiale has ‘missed the boat’, since the Chair of the consortium has been transferred to the BBC World Service in London, it has been given a new lease of life. Just days after relaunching its website, DRM is advertising the newly-created post of Project Director. [...] (more)

World Service accused of abandoning radio drama
From The Stage. Posted May 14 2008, 1.00pm
(more)

BBC World Service scoops four Sony Awards
From Press Gazette. Posted May 13 2008, 12.00am
The BBC World Service has swept the board in the journalism categories at this year's Sony Radio Academy Awards. (more)

BBC World Service website wins Webby award
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 7 2008, 10.02am
The website for the BBC World Service has been named the winner of Best Radio Website at the 2008 Webby awards, which acknowledge excellence on the Internet. A previous winner of the award in 2001, the site was completely revamped and relaunched in December 2007. The Webbys are viewed as the “Oscars of the Internet,” and the award [...] (more)

Radio: Today, R4 | 5 Live Breakfast, 5 Live | How Crime Took on the World, World Service
From Media Guardian. Posted May 3 2008, 11.03pm
Radio: Humphrys and Campbell - two men, two distinct styles (more)

Voice of Russia World Service celebrates 30 years on air
From Media Network Weblog. Posted April 28 2008, 2.22pm
This year marks 30 years since the launching of the Voice of Russia World Service in English, formerly Radio Moscow World Service. On October 3, 1978 Radio Moscow went on the air with round-the-clock broadcasts in English beamed throughout the world. In the run-up to the anniversary, listeners are invited to share their most vivid memories, reminiscences [...] (more)

BBC?s first FM radio partnership in Rwanda
From Media Network Weblog. Posted April 24 2008, 4.25pm
The BBC has secured its first FM partnership in Rwanda with Radio 10, which will broadcast BBC World Service programming in French, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi and Swahili. The new partnership with Radio 10 complements the BBC’s already strong FM presence in the country which includes BBC 93.9 FM in Kigali, BBC 93.3 FM in Karongi and BBC [...] (more)

BBC launches new FM relay and radio partnership in Cambodia
From Media Network Weblog. Posted April 3 2008, 5.01pm
British Ambassador David Reader today signed for the launch of BBC 99.25 FM in Siem Reap, Cambodia, which will broadcast the BBC World Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The BBC has also announced a new radio partnership with Love 97.5 FM, which is now broadcasting the best of BBC World Service programming.  Neil Curry, Regional [...] (more)

DRM Consortium gets new Chair
From Media Network Weblog. Posted March 28 2008, 5.20pm
Every two years, the Digital Radio Mondiale consortium holds elections. Yesterday the members of the Steering Board, the key players of the DRM Consortium, were elected. After 10 years as Chairman of DRM Peter Senger retired from both DRM and his position as Deutsche Welle´s Director DRM. His successor comes from the BBC World Service [...] (more)

BBC reduces shortwave to East and South-East Asia
From Media Network Weblog. Posted March 18 2008, 12.11pm
From the BBCWS website:  BBC World Service shortwave transmissions to East and South-East Asia will be reduced on 30th March 2008. Many listeners around the world no longer listen via shortwave and are choosing instead to listen to radio on other platforms including FM, satellite and online. To ensure the BBC can invest in these and other [...] (more)

BBCWS shortwave for Caribbean to close on 23 March
From Media Network Weblog. Posted March 17 2008, 1.16pm
The BBCWS website carries the following announcement: BBC World Service shortwave transmissions to the Caribbean will close on March 23rd 2008. Many listeners in the Caribbean and around the world no longer listen via shortwave. Instead they are choosing to listen to the radio on other platforms including FM, satellite and online. As a result, the [...] (more)

International award for Alan
From Radio Today. Posted March 13 2008, 12.30pm
BBC correspondent Alan Johnson has been given an award for his outstanding contribution to BBC World Service, on the first anniversary of his kidnapping in Gaza. The award was presented by BBC television documentary presenter Michael Palin in Central London yesterday. (more)

BBC World Service director answers questions about Arabic TV channel
From Media Network Weblog. Posted March 7 2008, 1.02pm
The newspaper Alsharq Alawsat has published an English text of its interview with Nigel Chapman, the director of BBC World Service, about the corporation’s new Arabic language TV channel that launches on 11 March. Read the text of the interview Bookmark to: (more)

World Service cuts shortwave in Europe
From Media Guardian. Posted February 20 2008, 3.18pm
The BBC World Service stopped broadcasting to Europe on shortwave this week, bringing to an end a 76-year chapter in radio history. By John Plunkett (more)

BBCWS to close remaining shortwave transmissions to Europe
From Media Network Weblog. Posted February 12 2008, 9.35am
The BBC World Service (BBCWS) announces on its website that the remaining BBCWS shortwave transmissions to Europe will close on 18th February 2008. The BBC says this change is being made in line with listener trends in radio. Increasing numbers of people around the world are choosing to listen to radio on a range of other [...] (more)

BBC World Service radio made available through Bangladeshi news site
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted January 30 2008, 12.00am
bdnews24.com to carry BBC programmes in English and Bangla    (more)

BBC radio now available on Bangladesh?s bdnews24.com
From Media Network Weblog. Posted January 29 2008, 5.11pm
The BBC has teamed up with Bangladesh’s leading news website bdnews24.com so its users can listen to BBC World Service radio. Thanks to the new partnership, visitors to the 24/7 site across the world can now access BBC radio programmes in English and Bangla. bdnews24.com is the first news site in Bangladesh to carry BBC radio [...] (more)

Johnston to host World Service show
From Media Guardian. Posted January 21 2008, 1.29pm
Alan Johnston will make his debut as the presenter of From Our Own Correspondent on the BBC World Service this weekend. By John Plunkett (more)

Alan Johnston takes up BBC World Service presenting job
From Press Gazette. Posted January 21 2008, 12.00am
BBC reporter Alan Johnston, who was kidnapped in Gaza last year, is to return to work this week as the new presenter of From Our Own Correspondent on the BBC World Service. (more)

BBC Radio 1010 now on the air in Salt Lake City
From Media Network Weblog. Posted January 14 2008, 1.49pm
A notice on the website of Salt Lake City public radio station KCPW reads “We’d like to take a moment and welcome the newest member of the KCPW family, BBC Radio 1010. Our 1010 AM signal is now dedicated to news from the BBC World Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. KCPW [...] (more)

Listeners to fill in the blanks in BBC World Service amnesia drama
From The Stage. Posted January 11 2008, 5.00pm
(more)

International broadcasters condemn rising threats to media freedom
From Media Network Weblog. Posted January 8 2008, 9.56am
Joint press release from BBC World Service, Deutsche Welle, Radio France Internationale, Radio Netherlands Worldwide and the Voice Of America: The heads of five of the largest international broadcasters have called upon governments to honor the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and “end any and all practices that hamper the rights of people everywhere to [...] (more)

Martin Hoyle - Radio
From Financial Times. Posted December 31 2007, 2.00am
At 75 the BBC World Service has commissioned a celebratory play from Arnold Wesker. The Rocking Horse (Saturday 7.30pm, Sunday 10.00pm) is a warm-hearted and... (more)

Kevin Greening: ?A terrible loss to broadcasting?
From thenoise.co.uk. Posted December 31 2007, 12.01am
The GMG Radio group programming director, John Simons, has paid tribute to Smooth Radio presenter Kevin Greening, who died on Saturday night on the eve of his 45th birthday. Greening’s radio career spanned 22 years – from the BBC World Service to GLR, Virgin, Radio 1, XFM, FiveLive, Heart, 6Music and Smooth. “We are extremely saddened to [...] (more)

Kevin Greening: A terrible loss to broadcasting
From thenoise.co.uk. Posted December 31 2007, 12.01am
The GMG Radio group programming director, John Simons, has paid tribute to Smooth Radio presenter Kevin Greening, who died on Saturday night on the eve of his 45th birthday. Greening’s radio career spanned 22 years – from the BBC World Service to GLR, Virgin, Radio 1, XFM, FiveLive, Heart, 6Music and Smooth. “We are extremely saddened to [...] (more)

World Service comes out from behind the Iron Curtain
From Media Guardian. Posted December 15 2007, 11.38pm
Cutting eastern European services has stirred discontent, but boss Nigel Chapman is adamant it must move on, he tells James Robinson (more)

Born in the age of colonialism, the BBC World Service reaches new frontiers
From The Times. Posted December 14 2007, 12.00am
When Lord Reith set up the BBC World Service 75 years ago, he anticipated that the programmes would be “neither very good nor interesting”. However, the once-colonialist proposition seems to be as durable as ever and, if anything, it is expanding. Today, there are services spanning 33 languages, a weekly audience of 183 million, and a budget of £242 million, which comes straight from Whitehall. Arabic and Farsi television channels will be launched next year. (more)

Wesker writes new play to mark 75 years of the BBC World Service
From The Stage. Posted November 23 2007, 4.10pm
(more)

BBC World Service to be available 24/7 on AM in Salt Lake City
From Media Network Weblog. Posted November 20 2007, 1.10pm
KCPW,  a public radio station based in Salt Lake City and serving Northern Utah, has announced that it is bringing round the clock news from BBC World Service to Salt Lake City.  A notice on the station’s website says “We’re turning our 1010 AM signal to 24-hour news and information from the BBC.  You don’t even need to buy [...] (more)

BBC World Service adds extra Urdu transmissions
From Media Network Weblog. Posted November 4 2007, 7.11pm
Due to the present situation in Pakistan BBC World Service in Urdu has started additional transmissions with effect from today. But they’ve not announced how long it will continue. The details are : 0200-0230 9510 11740 15560 0730-0800 15325 17560 The regular daily transmissions are: 0130-0200 1413 6065 9510 11740 15510 1500-1600 1413 6175 7205 9510 11955 1730-1800 1413 6175 7205 9605 9795 (Source: [...] (more)

Johnston for radio return in new year
From Digital Spy. Posted October 26 2007, 3.21pm
Alan Johnston will return to a post on BBC World Service in the new year, he says. (more)

Alan Johnston plans return to World Service
From Press Gazette. Posted October 26 2007, 12.00am
Alan Johnston has spent the past four months "enjoying his freedom", but expects to return to a post within BBC World Service in London in the New Year. (more)

BBC World Service expands
From Radio Today. Posted October 10 2007, 10.24pm
English programmes from the BBC can now be heard in the Maldives capital of Male for the first time. BBC World Service news bulletins, sporting and current affairs programmes will broadcast daily on Capital Radio 95.6 following the signing of a new agreement. (more)

BBC on FM in the Maldives
From Media Network Weblog. Posted October 9 2007, 4.10pm
BBC World Service news bulletins, sports and current affairs programmes will be broadcast in the Maldives daily on Capital Radio 95.6 FM in Male, following the signing of a new agreement with their owner Asna Maldives. Helen Kathuria, BBC Business Development Manager for the South Asia Pacific region said, “The BBC has a strong tradition of loyal listenership [...] (more)

BBC World Service gets OK for 24-hour Arabic news
From Media Guardian. Posted October 9 2007, 1.00am
The BBC World Service will be able to press ahead with expanding its Arabic TV news service to a 24-hour operation and broadcasting a news channel in Farsi. By Richard Wray. (more)

BBC World Service nets £70 million to boost Arabic service
From Press Gazette. Posted October 9 2007, 12.00am
The BBC World Service has received a £70 million funding increase over the next three years from the British Government. (more)

BBC Programmes on FM for the Maldives
From Merry Media. Posted October 8 2007, 10.24pm
English radio programmes from the BBC can now be heard on FM for the first time in the Maldives capital of Male. Capital Radio 95.6 will broadcast daily news bulletins, sporting and current affairs programmes from the BBC World Service.. (more)

New sound for World Service
From Radio Today. Posted September 21 2007, 8.37am
On Monday 24th September, the BBC World Service launches a new sonic brand identity to its thirteen English Language networks. It's the first change on this scale for the service in over seven years, Radio Today can reveal. (more)

Addaction recruits BBC World Service controller
From Brand Republic. Posted September 13 2007, 6.00am
BBC World Service top marketer Alan Booth has taken the top comms role at specialist drug and alcohol treatment charity Addaction. (more)

BBC World no longer in Russia
From Radio Today. Posted August 17 2007, 8.50pm
The radio programmes of BBC World Service have been taken off-air in Moscow after Bolshoye Radio was told by removed Russian licensing authorities that all their content must orignate locally. The blow for BBC World comes after two other stations in the country also dropped the service this year. (more)

BBC programming to be taken off FM station in Moscow today
From Media Network Weblog. Posted August 17 2007, 11.50am
BBC World Service has been informed by the owners of the Moscow FM radio station Bolshoye Radio [99.6 MHz] that BBC programming in Russian will no longer be broadcast on the station, as of this afternoon. This was the BBC Russian Service’s last FM distribution partner station in Russia. It follows two other FM partner [...] (more)

BBC Russian Programming Ends on Moscow FM
From Merry Media. Posted August 17 2007, 10.49am
Bolshoye Radio, owners of the Moscow FM radio station, have informed the BBC World Service that BBC programming in Russian will no longer be broadcast on the station from today.. (more)

BBC World Service loses last Russian FM radio outlet
From Media Guardian. Posted August 17 2007, 1.00am
1.45pm: The BBC World Service has lost its last FM radio outlet in Russia, adding substance to claims of a clampdown on foreign media. By Maria Esposito. (more)

BBC World Service taken off air by Russian authorities
From Press Gazette. Posted August 17 2007, 12.00am
The BBC World Service is no longer to be available in Russia on FM following a ruling from the country’s licensing authority. (more)

World Service Debate Show Returns to New Orleans
From Merry Media. Posted July 14 2007, 2.49pm
The BBC World Service interactive radio and online debate programme, World Have Your Say, will return to New Orleans to broadcast live from the public radio conference PRNDI on Thursday 19 July at 12noon (local time).. (more)

BBC World Service in English launches on FM in Bahrain
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 6 2007, 12.01pm
The BBC World Service will be officially launched in Bahrain in English tomorrow. The Manama-based BBC 101 FM will broadcast English-language programmes 24 hours a day. The new service complements the established BBC Arabic broadcasts on BBC 103.8 FM. “We are proud of our close co-operation with the BBC, which we consider a remarkable institution and [...] (more)

From Manchester to the World
From Radio Today. Posted May 29 2007, 8.06pm
Manchester based independent production company Made in Manchester is about to make its global debut with a special two-part series with the legendary British musician, singer, poet and composer Jah Wobble. The weekly show starts June 9th on the BBC World Service. (more)

New Radio Australia Chief Executive appointed
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 23 2007, 11.32am
ABC Managing Director Mark Scott today announced the appointment of Mr Hanh Tran as the new Chief Executive of Radio Australia. Hanh is currently Executive Producer of Vietnamese content for Radio Australia and was, from 1997 until 2001, Head of the Vietnamese Service for the BBC World Service. Hanh has led the Vietnamese content team at [...] (more)

France rejects English radio on FM band in Paris
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 22 2007, 11.54am
Paris Live Radio (PLR), along with two other English language radio broadcasters, the BBC World Service and World Radio Paris, have all been rejected in taking further part in the “shortlist of candidates” in the tender process conducted by the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (the “CSA”) for frequency positions on the FM band in Paris. The [...] (more)

BBC?s global news audiences reach record 233m
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 21 2007, 9.57am
The BBC’s combined international news services attracted a record global weekly audience of more than 233 million during 2006/7, according to independent surveys, says the BBC World Service. The global audience figure for the combined services of BBC World Service radio, BBC World television and the BBC’s international online news service bbcnews.com is up 23 [...] (more)

Gwyneth Williams appointed Director of English Networks & News for BBC World Service
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 10 2007, 1.06pm
Gwyneth Williams has been appointed Director of BBC World Service’s English Networks and News. She will be responsible for all the BBC’s international radio programmes in English and for the nine streams that deliver that output to its 42 million listeners around the globe. She is currently Head of Radio Current Affairs and Editor of the BBC [...] (more)

New Director at the BBC World Service
From Merry Media. Posted May 10 2007, 11.49am
Gwyneth Williams has been appointed Director of BBC World Service's English Networks and News.. (more)

BBC's Newshour on Florence's Novaradio Citta Futura
From Merry Media. Posted May 9 2007, 11.08pm
BBC World Service has teamed up with Novaradio Citta Futura to bring its flagship news and current affairs programme to English-speaking audiences in Florence and its suburbs.. (more)

More World Service in Congo
From Radio Today. Posted May 9 2007, 8.52am
BBC World Service has launched two new FM radio stations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Broadcasting in French, English and Swahili, BBC 92 FM in Lubumbashi and Kisangani will join continue the local partnership with Raga FM when they launch tomorrow (10th May). (more)

BBC World Service Expand FM Presence in Congo
From Merry Media. Posted May 8 2007, 4.48pm
BBC World Service has expanded its FM presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo with the launch of BBC 92 FM in Lubumbashi and BBC 92 FM in Kisangani.. (more)

BBC World Service Launch English Radio Service in Korea
From Merry Media. Posted May 5 2007, 12.43pm
BBC World Service's 24-hour English radio channel has been launched on TU Media of Korea, one of the most advanced media platforms in the world.. (more)

BBC World Service English radio launched on S-DMB in South Korea
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 4 2007, 2.10pm
BBC World Service’s 24-hour English radio channel has been launched on TU Media of Korea, one of the most advanced media platforms in the world. BBC World Service is the first international radio channel available on a 24 hours a day, seven days a week basis to users of TU Media - Korea’s world’s first [...] (more)

BBC World Service Commissions Designer for Awards
From Merry Media. Posted April 16 2007, 12.58pm
The BBC World Service has commissioned the young Ghanaian designer, Jery (Jeremiah) Obuobi, to design and cast the winning trophies for its first ever BBC Africa Radio Awards competition.. (more)

Darfur’s lifeline radio
From Media Network Weblog. Posted March 11 2007, 12.06pm
The Insitute of War & Peace Reporting carries a story about Salam ila Darfur, a daily 30-minute programme produced by the BBC World Service Trust and broadcast on shortwave to western Sudan as well as parts of Chad and the Central African Republic. The broadcasts from transmitters in Cyprus are at at 0500 UTC and at 1700 UTC [...] (more)

BBC to Bring its Global Debate Programme from Columbus
From Merry Media. Posted March 9 2007, 3.46pm
BBC World Service is teaming up with WOSU in Columbus to stage live broadcasts of its flagship interactive radio and online programme, World, Have Your Say from Ohio.. (more)

BBC World Service Poll on Israel & Iran
From Merry Media. Posted March 7 2007, 12.58am
Most people believe Israel and Iran have a mainly negative influence in the world with almost as many saying the same about North Korea and the United States, according to a BBC World Service poll of 28,000 people in 27 countries.. (more)

BBC Chinese Service axes staff
From Media Guardian. Posted March 1 2007, 12.00am
11.15am: The BBC World Service has confirmed that it is cutting back its Chinese radio programming with the loss of a quarter of the staff. By Jason Deans. (more)

BBC World Service Appoint Nikki Clarke
From Merry Media. Posted February 28 2007, 1.43pm
Nikki Clarke has been appointed Head of Region for the Americas and Europe, BBC World Service.. (more)

Nikki Clarke appointed Head of Region for the Americas and Europe, BBC World Service.
From Media Network Weblog. Posted February 28 2007, 1.08pm
Nikki Clarke has been appointed Head of Region for the Americas and Europe, BBC World Service. She will start her new job in April 2007. As Head of Region, Nikki Clarke will be editorially and managerially responsible for the BBC’s radio, online and video operations across 10 language services: Albanian, English for the Caribbean, Macedonian, [...] (more)

Nikki Clarke appointed Head of Region for the Americas and Europe, BBC World Service
From Media Network Weblog. Posted February 28 2007, 1.08pm
Nikki Clarke has been appointed Head of Region for the Americas and Europe, BBC World Service. She will start her new job in April 2007. As Head of Region, Nikki Clarke will be editorially and managerially responsible for the BBC’s radio, online and video operations across 10 language services: Albanian, English for the Caribbean, Macedonian, [...] (more)

Job cuts expected at World Service Chinese arm
From Media Guardian. Posted February 14 2007, 12.00am
5pm: BBC World Service journalists are bracing themselves for job cuts at its Chinese operation. By John Plunkett. (more)

World Service Poll Shows Indians are Proud
From Merry Media. Posted February 5 2007, 12.47pm
Indians are proud of their country and want to see it punch its economic weight around the world – but are worried the caste system is holding the country back, according to a new BBC World Service poll looking at the way Indians view their country.. (more)

BBC to Take Biggest Ever Interactive Roadshow Across Sierra Leone
From Merry Media. Posted February 2 2007, 1.08pm
Radio listeners in Sierra Leone will be treated to a week of engaging live programming when the BBC World Service brings its interactive English For Africa programmes on the biggest-ever roadshow to Bo, Freetown and Kenema.. (more)

BBC marks launch of new FM transmitters in Sierra Leone with roadshow
From Media Network Weblog. Posted February 2 2007, 12.29pm
Radio listeners in Sierra Leone will be treated to a week of engaging live programming when the BBC World Service brings its interactive English For Africa programmes on the biggest-ever roadshow to Bo, Freetown and Kenema. The roadshow - starting Monday 5 February 2007 - celebrates the launch of two new BBC frequencies: 94.5 FM in [...] (more)

Indian President's Message to BBC World Service Audience
From Merry Media. Posted February 1 2007, 4.12pm
The President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, has called on BBC's global audience to engage with his vision of citizenship.. (more)

BBC Launches Mobile News Service in Dhaka
From Merry Media. Posted January 24 2007, 12.39pm
BBC World Service has teamed up with QA Konsortium, a mobile content aggregator in Bangladesh, to launch a SMS news service in Dhaka.. (more)

BBC World Service Presents India Rising
From Merry Media. Posted January 12 2007, 1.46pm
BBC World Service presents India Rising, a week of special programming from and about India.. (more)

Radical leader drags BBC World Service into the 21st century
From Media Network Weblog. Posted January 7 2007, 11.13am
Today’s issue of The Observer has an interview with The Head of the BBC World Service, Nigel Chapman. He stresses that change was already under way at the World Service - but staff say moves toward becoming a tri-media broadcaster (using online, radio and satellite TV) accelerated with his arrival and are now moving ‘at [...] (more)

Algeria plans multilingual international radio station
From Media Network Weblog. Posted January 1 2007, 11.03am
The BBC World Service Trust sent a team led by Jean-Michel Duffrene to Algeria in November to assess the training needs of Algerian National Television (ENTV) and National Algerian Radio.The Algerian Communication Minister, Hachemi Djiar, recently announced an ambitious programme to upgrade the State media (radio and television). There are also plans to launch several [...] (more)

BBC to give English Lessons on Saudi radio network
From thenoise.co.uk. Posted December 16 2006, 10.01am
The BBC World Service has reached a deal with Radio Riyadh to broadcast English language lessons to Saudi Arabia via a network of local FM stations.BBC Learning English will produce the twice-weekly bilingual programmes aimed at young people, teaching listening and comprehension, The Guardian reports. (more)

David Blunkett to Present Xmas Day Radio Show
From Merry Media. Posted December 11 2006, 1.10pm
David Blunkett MP, former Home Secretary, is to host the Christmas Day edition of BBC World Service's magazine programme Outlook.. (more)

BBC to teach English by radio in Saudi Arabia
From Media Network Weblog. Posted December 6 2006, 4.37pm
BBC Learning English, a division of the international radio and online broadcaster BBC World Service, has signed a deal with Radio Riyadh to provide tailored bilingual programmes for learners of English across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Minister of Information, Iyad al Madani, played a crucial role in the advisory stages of the deal.  The [...] (more)

BBC World Service appoints India Business Development Manager
From Media Network Weblog. Posted November 23 2006, 1.27pm
BBC World Service has appointed Vineeta Dwivedi as India Business Development Manager. Based in Delhi, she will be in charge of the broadcaster’s multimedia distribution and business development activities in India.  Vineeta will be responsible for developing the distribution of BBC World Service output in India across a range of platforms including FM, broadband, DTH channel distribution [...] (more)

World Service wins peacebuilding award
From Breaking Radio. Posted November 11 2006, 1.32pm
Darfur Lifeline - The BBC World Service Trust's humanitarian radio service in Sudan - has won first prize in the Youth category of the Radio For Peacebuilding Awards. (more)

BBC World Service Trust wins Radio for Peacebuilding Award
From Media Network Weblog. Posted November 10 2006, 3.44pm
Darfur Lifeline - The BBC World Service Trust’s humanitarian radio service in Sudan - has won first prize for its children’s programme Ursom ala el ard makaanak (Draw Your Place On Earth) in the Youth category of the Radio For Peacebuilding Awards. The prize is awarded by Radio For Peacebuilding Africa.  The 30-minute programme, Ursom ala [...] (more)

Bulgaria revokes BBC World Service licence (requires registration)
From via Breaking Radio. Posted October 18 2006, 11.27am
Authorities in Bulgaria have announced that they are revoking the BBC World Service's right to broadcast in the country after the BBC axed Bulgarian-language programming late last year. The Bulgarian-language section was one of 10 language services that the BBC closed down earlier this year in order to redirect financing into Arabic-language programmes. (more)

Bulgaria revokes BBC licence
From Media Guardian. Posted October 18 2006, 1.00am
8am: Bulgaria is to revoke the BBC World Service's broadcasting licence after the axing of Bulgarian-language programming last year. By Bojan Pancevski. (more)

BBC World Service to launch Iranian TV channel
From Brand Republic. Posted October 11 2006, 11.10am
LONDON - The BBC World Service is to launch an Iranian TV and information service in the Farsi langauge to complement its existing Persian radio and online activity. (more)

BBC World Service appoints Kenyan, Uduak Amimo, as its Senior Editorial Adviser
From Media Network Weblog. Posted October 5 2006, 1.32pm
The BBC has appointed Uduak Amimo as its Senior Editorial Adviser, supporting the Director of the BBC World Service, Nigel Chapman. Uduak advises on the editorial leadership and management of the world’s leading international radio broadcaster and its New Media operations. Her role also includes facilitating editorial collaborations between the World Service and the BBC’s [...] (more)

BBC World Service searches for global stars
From Digital Spy. Posted October 4 2006, 8.09pm
The BBC launches The Next Big Thing to find young world music talent across the globe. (more)

BBC World Service Looks For the Next Big Thing
From Merry Media. Posted October 3 2006, 10.37am
BBC World Service has launched The Next Big Thing - a competition to find the best young group or solo artist on the planet.. (more)

VT Communications awarded new contract with BBC World Service
From Media Network Weblog. Posted September 26 2006, 4.38pm
VT Communications has been awarded a £1.4M contract with BBC World Service for the deployment of their new Satellite Media Distribution System (SMDS). The SMDS system replaces the current satellite based Global Delivery System (GDS), with DVB based technology. As the BBC addresses the challenges of the global media environment, this technology gives them greater [...] (more)

BBC sets up FM station in Kuwait
From Radio Today. Posted September 13 2006, 3.45pm
The BBC have launched a new FM radio station in Kuwait, re-broadcasting the programmes of the BBC World Service in English 24 hours a day. The station will simply be known as BBC 100.1 FM. Jerry Timmins, Head of Africa and Middle East Region, BBC World Service, said: "This is the first fully dedicated BBC English relay on air in the Gulf. Listeners in Kuwait can now hear, for the first time, the full range of BBC programmes in English in crystal clear quality via the new BBC 100.1 FM station." (more)

BBC launches new English FM service in Kuwait
From Media Network Weblog. Posted September 13 2006, 1.02pm
The BBC World Service has started its 24-hour broadcasts in English in Kuwait through the new radio station BBC 100.1 FM. The service complements the broadcaster’s existing Arabic relay on 90.1 FM. (Source: AME Info) (more)

BBC sets up community radio
From Radio Today. Posted September 4 2006, 8.00pm
The BBC World Service Trust are about to give members of minority ethnic groups in Georgia two new community-based radio stations. They are being set up as part of the Making Waves project to promote the rights of Armenian and Azeri minorities living in the enclaves of Javakheti and Kvemo-Kartli. With a radio station in each region, local people will be able to voice their opinions, receive key information and play an active role in the democratic process. The stations will improve coverage of cultural, ethnic and religious issues. (more)

New community radio stations making waves in Georgia
From Media Network Weblog. Posted September 4 2006, 3.55pm
Members of two minority ethnic groups in Georgia will have a new voice for their news and views with the launch of two new community radio stations. They are being set up by the BBC World Service Trust as part of the Making Waves project to promote the rights of Armenian and Azeri minorities living in [...] (more)

BBC expands in Southern Sudan
From Radio Today. Posted August 10 2006, 10.15pm
The BBC has extended its FM presence in Sudan to the country's south by launching two 24-hour a day, seven days a week FM relays in Southern Sudan's capital city, Juba. BBC World Service will broadcast to Juba and surrounding areas in Arabic on 90.0 FM and in English on 88.2 FM. To mark the launch of the FM relays, BBC World Service will stage special broadcasts from Juba during the week commencing Monday 14 August 2006 for both its English for Africa and its Arabic output. (more)

BBC Expands its FM Radio Presence in Southern Sudan
From Merry Media. Posted August 9 2006, 9.42pm
The BBC has extended its FM presence in Sudan to the country's south by launching two 24 hour a day, seven days a week FM relays in Southern Sudan's capital city, Juba. BBC World Service will broadcast to Juba and surrounding areas in Arabic on 90.0 FM and in English on 88.2 FM.. (more)

Vera Kwakofi to Lead on New BBC Africa Radio Awards
From Merry Media. Posted July 25 2006, 5.39pm
BBC World Service has appointed its popular presenter Vera Kwakofi as project manager of the new BBC Africa Radio Awards. Vera will be leaing this major competition to identify and honour the best English language broadcasters across the continent. Launching in September, BBC Africa Radio Awards will culminate in a final in May 2007.. (more)

BBC World Service and BBC Arabic on Canalsat Horizons in Africa
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 24 2006, 1.50pm
Subscribers to Canalsat Horizons in 23 African countries can now access the BBC’s radio services in English and Arabic. Canalsat Horizons is broadcast by Multi TV Afrique, a subsidiary of Media Overseas, Canal+ Group. Multi TV Afrique has reached agreement with the BBC World Service whose radio programmes are now heard on channel 108 (English) and on [...] (more)

BBC World Service Trust welcomes International Development White Paper
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 14 2006, 4.01pm
The BBC World Service Trust has welcomed the publication yesterday of the UK Government’s White Paper on International Development. Trust Director Stephen King said: “We particularly welcome the high priority being placed by DFID [The Department for International Development] on good governance and the creation of a new Governance and Transparency Fund.   “Fair and open government is [...] (more)

BBC World Service annual review published today
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 11 2006, 2.14pm
The BBC World Service has today published its annual review for 2005/2006. Although no specific details are indicated, further cutbacks in shortwave hours are hinted at in the following priorities for 2006-2008. The World Service will: Seek to distribute text, audio and video content across a range of on-demand platforms – including Broadband and mobile phones, [...] (more)

Award for BBC World Journalist
From Radio Today. Posted July 4 2006, 10.45am
BBC World Service journalist Kati Whitaker has won the Education Journalist of the Year Award for Outstanding Education Reporting. The Award is for the radio programme New Term in Kosovo, first broadcast by the BBC World Service in January 2005. The programme focused on the difficulties facing Rahovec, Kosovo's first multi-ethnic school. The judges said the programme was an outstanding piece of radio journalism, "an ambitious attempt to blend current affairs, history, ethnicity, war and education into a report for the listener that succeeds amply". (more)

BBC World Service in English to be on FM in Bahrain
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 3 2006, 4.31pm
The Prime Minister of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, received in Manama today BBC World Service Director Nigel Chapman, and his accompanying delegation. The Prime Minister hailed the excellent news coverage of the BBC as one of the largest global news stations in the world. The Prime Minister welcomed the existing cooperation between [...] (more)

World Service asylum expos石coops award
From Press Gazette. Posted June 15 2006, 12.55am
A BBC World Service programme has won the One World Media Radio Documentary Award. (more)

World Service asylum exposé scoops award
From Press Gazette. Posted June 15 2006, 12.55am
A BBC World Service programme has won the One World Media Radio Documentary Award. (more)

BBC radio increases presence in the Arab world with Arabsat agreement.
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 14 2006, 3.51pm
Audiences in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East can now enjoy a range of BBC radio programmes in two streams - Arabic and English.  Both languages are available in digital quality sound, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to a renewed partnership between the BBC World Service and the satellite operator [...] (more)

Sweden: International relays to disappear in Stockholm
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 2 2006, 2.42pm
Text of report by Radio Sweden text website on 2 June Listeners to Radio Sweden and SR International in Stockholm will probably see some major changes next year, including the disappearance of relays of BBC World Service and National Public Radio. Swedish Radio's management has announced the changes in channel structure resulting from months of studies into the future of public service radio in (more)

BBC World Service on FM and DAB in Norway during NRK strike
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 1 2006, 7.54pm
As the strike at Norwegian public broadcaster NRK goes into a second day, the 24-hour all-news channel Alltid Nyheter has been replaced by BBC World Service. The network broadcasts on FM in 17 cities, on DAB and on the Internet. NRK management is worried that the industrial action could affect NRK's World Cup coverage, and is considering whether it should broadcast the matches without sound, or (more)

Liliane Landor new Editor BBC World Service News and Current Affairs
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 31 2006, 7.07pm
BBC World Service has appointed Liliane Landor as its new Editor BBC World Service News and Current Affairs. She is responsible for all the BBC World Service News and Current Affairs programmes in English. Stephen Mitchell, Head of Radio News says: "Liliane has a great track record in World Service as well as the vision and experience to build on the success already achieved during Mary Hockaday's (more)

New head for World Service news and current affairs
From Media Guardian. Posted May 31 2006, 1.19pm
12.15pm: The BBC World Service has promoted Liliane Landor to become editor for its news and current affairs division. By Ben Dowell. (more)

Kevin Wilson appointed to BBC World Service Trust
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 30 2006, 1.15pm
Kevin Wilson has been appointed as Interim Head of Communications for the BBC World Service Trust. As the BBC's international charity, the Trust works with people in developing and transitional countries to improve the quality of their lives through the innovative use of the media. Kevin joins the Trust from the South Bank Centre, Europe's biggest arts centre, where he was Director of Marketing (more)

World Cup on the World Service
From Radio Today. Posted May 24 2006, 9.45am
BBC World Service will bring listeners all the action from the World Cup with 30 reporters covering 33 languages throughout the tourniment. Programmes include 'World Cup Have Your Say' at 9am every day, and Sportsworld each Saturday at 3.05, 4.05 and 5.05pm will bring results, action and top stories throughout the World Cup. A dedicated network of sport reporters, including Martin Fookes, Ashish Sharma and Alex Capstick will be on the spot to bring the highs and lows, thrills and spills of the global football tournament. (more)

BBC World Service boss believes his changes have been vindicated
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 22 2006, 11.56am
BBC World Service Director Nigel Chapman has come in for a lot of criticism, from both inside and outside the BBC, following his decision to close 10 language services to provide funding for an Arabic TV channel that launches next year. But recently-published figures show the BBC's worldwide audience has reached an all-time high, so he must be doing something right. Read an interview with Mr (more)

BBC World Service audiences hit all-time record levels
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 16 2006, 10.40am
BBC World Service now attracts 163 million weekly radio listeners to its 33 language services – a record audience, according to figures announced yesterday. The new weekly audience figure, compiled from independent surveys around the globe, is an increase of 14 million on last year's figure of 149 million. The previous BBC World Service record audience was 153 million in 2001. The BBC claims that (more)

Studio Schemes expands its role
From Radio Today. Posted May 15 2006, 7.15pm
Studio Schemes has expanded its operation with two new divisions. Since being formed in 1996 they have built numourous studios in a large amount of UK radio stations, ranging from small independents to the BBC World Service. Dave Wood told RadioToday.co.uk about the new development: "Over the past ten years we have been supplying additional client services both nationally and internationally and felt that we should formalize these additional services and give them specific identity and staff responsibility." (more)

Studio Schemes expands it role
From Radio Today. Posted May 15 2006, 5.00pm
Studio Schemes has expanded its operation with two new divisions. Since being formed in 1996 they have built numourous studios in a large amount of UK radio stations, ranging from small independents to the BBC World Service. Dave Wood told RadioToday.co.uk about the new development: "Over the past ten years we have been supplying additional client services both nationally and internationally and felt that we should formalize these additional services and give them specific identity and staff responsibility." (more)

World Service claims 163 million listeners
From Press Gazette. Posted May 15 2006, 12.28pm
BBC World Service has revealed that it has 163 million weekly listeners in 33 languages. (more)

Record listeners for BBC World
From Radio Today. Posted May 15 2006, 11.15am
BBC World Service now attracts 163 million weekly radio listeners to its 33 language services – a record audience for the world's best-known and most respected international broadcaster, according to figures announced today. The new weekly audience figure, compiled from independent surveys around the globe, is an increase of 14 million on last year's figure of 149 million.The new figure equates to around 50 per cent more listeners than any comparable international broadcaster. (more)

BBC World Service audience hits new high of 163m
From Brand Republic. Posted May 15 2006, 11.05am
LONDON – The BBC World Service has attracted a record audience of 163m radio listeners, a leap of 14m on last year. (more)

Record audiences for BBC World Service
From Media Guardian. Posted May 15 2006, 12.48am
Audiences for the BBC World Service have reached record levels, according to figures released today. It attracts 163 million listeners a week, up from 149 million last year. (more)

BBC World Service records its best listening figures ever despite cuts
From The Independent. Posted May 15 2006, 12.00am
The BBC World Service has won its highest-ever listening figures, despite its controversial decision to cut 10 language services in order to fund a new Arabic television channel. (more)

BBC Hungarian radio service donates digital archive to Hungary
From Media Network Weblog. Posted April 25 2006, 3.06pm
A copy of the digital archives of the BBC's Hungarian radio service, reflecting the country's history, culture and political events over 66 years, will be placed in Hungary's national library and public radio archives after an agreement was signed by the BBC World Service and the library today. The 1,100 discs contain copies of archived broadcasts made by the BBC's central archives up until the (more)

New BBC Radio News Post Filled
From Merry Media. Posted April 13 2006, 10.44pm
Mary Hockaday has bee announced as the BBC's Deputy Head of Radio News, a new post working across the whole department. At present Mary is BBC Radio's Editor of World Service News and Current Affairs. The move follows the appointment of Ceri Thomas as Editor of BBC Radio 4's Today programme.. (more)

BBC appoints Hockaday to enhanced radio news role
From Brand Republic. Posted April 13 2006, 12.04pm
LONDON - The BBC has given its World Services news and current affairs editor Mary Hockaday an enhanced role to bolster foreign affairs coverage across its radio portfolio. (more)

BBC create new radio role
From Radio Today. Posted April 13 2006, 11.00am
Mary Hockaday has been announced as the BBC's Deputy Head of Radio News, a new post working across the whole department. At present Mary is BBC Radio's Editor of World Service News and Current Affairs. The move follows the appointment of Ceri Thomas as editor of Radio 4's Today programme. Ceri and Mary both deputised for Stephen Mitchell, Head of Radio News - covering domestic and world affairs respectively. (more)

BBC reaches rebroadcasting agreement with SLBC
From Media Network Weblog. Posted April 3 2006, 11.43am
The BBC has announced a rebroadcasting deal with Sri Lanka's state-run SLBC radio. SLBC will rebroadcast nine hours of BBC programmes under the new deal, according to BBC World Service Business Development Manager for Asia and the Pacific, Michel Lobelle, who is in Colombo. He said that the deal provides an opportunity for the Lankans to easily access BBC programmes through a network of FM (more)

Content scheduling system for BBC World Service
From Media Network Weblog. Posted March 28 2006, 12.05pm
Pilat Media Global plc, the London-based AIM-listed supplier of business management software to broadcasters around the world, has announced the signing of a contract with the BBC for the licensing, design, delivery and implementation of a Content Scheduling System for BBC World Service, utilising Pilat Media's IBMS (Integrated Broadcast Management System). The contract value to be earned (more)

BBC English to stay on FM in Czech Republic
From Media Network Weblog. Posted March 14 2006, 11.59am
BBC World Service has signed an agreement to enable Czech digital radio network Radio Cesko to rebroadcast Czech language news and current affairs programmes alongside BBC English language programmes on FM across the Czech Republic, it was announced today. The agreement is between BBC Radiocom (Prague) s.r.o. (a wholly owned subsidiary of BBC) and Czech Radio. Radio Cesko is a public service Czech (more)

Washington Post contributor critical of BBC World Service
From Media Network Weblog. Posted March 12 2006, 11.04am
David Pitts, who wrote for 15 years for the US Information Agency-Voice of America, has an op-ed in today's i in which he comments on the irony of the BBC expanding its presence in Washington on WETAFM and WAMU-FM, as VOA prepares to ditch its worldwide English service. Pitts claims that "Careful listeners, however, may have noted that negative stories about the US presence in Iraq abound on the (more)

BBC broadcasts to India via WorldSpace satellite radio
From Media Network Weblog. Posted March 4 2006, 11.13am
The BBC World Service and WorldSpace satellite radio, which broadcasts to the Indian subcontinent, have announced a new partnership which means that listeners in cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai can subscribe to WorldSpace's basic package to hear BBC news and BBC World Service programmes in four languages: English, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali. They can also hear BBC (more)

Japan: NHK says consensus needed to use viewer fees for world service
From Media Network Weblog. Posted March 2 2006, 3.51pm
Text of report in English by Japanese news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 2 March: The president of Japan Broadcasting Corp, Genichi Hashimoto, said Thursday [2 March] national consensus is necessary for the public broadcaster to use viewer fees to expand its international broadcasting service. Hashimoto was speaking at a regular news conference in response to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's call the (more)

BBC's international radio director launches new partnerships in Kenya
From Media Network Weblog. Posted February 24 2006, 4.14pm
The Director of BBC World Service, Nigel Chapman, visits Kenya from Monday 27 February 2006 for a five-day tour that includes attending the launch of BBC radio programming on partner stations Sheki 106.6 FM and Star 97.0 FM. BBC programmes from BBC Swahili and the BBC World Service English language output for Africa can be heard on both Sheki FM which broadcasts to Mombasa and Star FM which (more)

BBC to scrap radio link after 62 years
From Media Guardian. Posted February 24 2006, 7.11am
Calling the Falklands, the twice-weekly BBC World Service programme that became a lifeline during the 1982 war, is being axed after 62 years. By Owen Gibson. (more)

BBC Newshour to be broadcast live from US public radio station
From Media Network Weblog. Posted January 27 2006, 11.25am
Two editions of the BBC World Service programme Newshour are to be broadcast live from the studios of US public radio station WUNC (91.5 FM) in North Carolina on Monday. Robin Lustig will present the programmes at 1200 and 1400 UTC in front of a studio audience. According to the WUNC website, a limited number of tickets are still available, and breakfast will be provided. (more)

Radio days: Tales behind the UK tunes
From The Independent. Posted January 26 2006, 12.00am
For more than 30 years, the UK Theme has coaxed early morning listeners awake, announcing the end of the BBC's night-time World Service and the beginning of the Radio 4 schedule. (more)

MPs protest in Commons at axing of World Service soap
From The Stage. Posted January 24 2006, 12.00pm
Frank Dobson, Joan Ruddock, Peter Bottomley and Gregory Campbell are among 22 MPs voicing their concern over the cancellation of BBC World Service medical drama Westway. (more)

BBC World Service Trust launches lifeline radio project in Darfur
From Media Network Weblog. Posted January 23 2006, 5.42pm
BBC World Service Trust has launched Darfur Salaam, a humanitarian radio programme for Darfur in Sudan. The 15-minute programme, to be broadcast at 8.00am local time (0500 UTC) on the new BBC frequency of 11820 kHz and repeated at 8.00pm (1700 UTC) on 9640 kHz, includes five minutes of news from the BBC Arabic Service. One displaced person, currently living in a Darfur camp, said: "I like the idea (more)

NUJ lobbies MPs to demand rethink on BBC World Service cuts
From Media Network Weblog. Posted January 11 2006, 9.31am
Members and supporters of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) have lobbied Members of Parliament in Westminster to demand an urgent rethink on plans to cut 10 of the BBC’s 43 language services. The closure of the services will mean the loss of 270 skilled international specialists, mostly across Eastern Europe. The NUJ says its members are determined to persuade MPs that the cuts are short (more)

Unions lobby MPs over World Service cuts
From Media Guardian. Posted January 11 2006, 7.45am
8am: Trade unions protesting at plans to axe 10 of the BBC World Service's 43 foreign language services have taken their fight to Westminster. By John Plunkett . (more)

Public Radio International expands HD Radio portfolio with BBC Mundo
From Media Network Weblog. Posted January 6 2006, 3.17pm
Public Radio International (PRI) has announced the addition of BBC Mundo to its lineup of public radio programming. Produced by BBC World Service, PRI's programming partner since 1986, the 24/7 Spanish-language service features a wide variety of programmes. KPCC/Los Angeles, KVCR/San Bernardino (CA), and KNAU/Flagstaff (AZ) are among several PRI affiliate stations slated to launch BBC Mundo this (more)

Why the World Service still matters
From The Independent. Posted January 1 1970, 12.59am
It's easy to forget sometimes that when people in Britain and people outside talk about the BBC, they have in mind two very different entities: while we might be thinking of Jonathan Ross, Top Gear, The Archers and Chris Moyles, what they have in mind is almost certainly the more measured tones of the BBC World Service. In organisational terms, the World Service is a gnat to the BBC's behemoth; but in terms of audience, the analogy has to be reversed. (more)