BBC World Service announces the launch of BBC Global Women

 

BBC World Service is launching BBC Global Women, a bold new commitment to highlight women's storytelling across its global output.

Amid reductions in press freedom globally, the need to reach women and girls around the world with trusted news has never been greater. This new editorial priority will enhance the BBC World Service's storytelling by listening, sharing and amplifying stories for women around the world.

BBC Global Women is dedicated to stories that resonate with women worldwide, all year-round.

Alongside new commissions, the initiative will elevate the editorial offer for women by starting conversations, building connections and challenging misinformation. The first commissions under Global Women include exclusive interviews with KPop Demon Hunters' Arden Cho and the First Lady of Sierra Leone, and an investigation into how sexual violence is being used as a weapon in conflict in Ethiopian.

BBC Global Women will deliver fresh, original content throughout the year – including ground-breaking and access-led documentaries, interviews, and stories for women in every corner of the world – across BBC News and BBC World Service digital, social and broadcast channels.

Fiona Crack, Deputy Global Director, BBC News says:

"Press freedom continues to reduce globally, making it harder for the BBC to reach audiences and for audiences to access independent news. Internationally, we also know women in particular view, read and listen to less of our news than men. This is an issue we must urgently address so sharing more stories that matter to women and commissioning stories that resonate with women will be at the centre of BBC Global Women."

Audiences can look forward to a powerful mix of exclusive interviews, original documentaries and social investigations from all corners of the globe.

Upcoming highlights include:

• Exclusive interviews in the BBC Global Women Meets... series, featuring KPop Demon Hunters' Arden Cho, and First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Bio
• Groundbreaking documentaries including The Battle to Get My Child Back which follows Greenlandic parents fighting to reclaim their children taken under discredited "parenting competency tests"
• A BBC World Service investigation into the hidden conflict in Ethiopia's Amhara region where thousands of women have suffered in silence. With incredibly rare access to voices from a region largely closed off to the media, the BBC hears from three survivors of sexual violence which has been used as a weapon in this conflict.

(BBC World Service Press Office/BBC Global Women)

BBC A23

BBC A23

Effective 26th March to 29th Oct'23

SORTED BY LANGUAGE

FREQ START STOP DAYS SITE POWER AZI LANG CIRAF
----------------------------------------------

9540  17:30 17:50 .mtwtf. A SEELA     250 240 Amharic 48
11965 17:30 17:50 .mtwtf. DHABAYYA    250 230 Amharic 48
15685 17:30 17:50 .mtwtf. S.MARIA DG  250 130 Amharic 48
9685  18:30 18:50 .mtwtf. A SEELA     250 240 Amharic 48
11965 18:30 18:50 .mtwtf. S.MARIA DG  250 130 Amharic 48
7465  13:30 14:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 340 Burmese 49NW
9585  13:30 14:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 340 Burmese 49NW
15325 13:30 14:00 smtwtfs TINANG      250 283 Burmese 49NW
6195  00:30 01:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Dari 40E,41NW
1413  00:30 01:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     800 35  Dari 40E,41NW
7295  00:30 01:00 smtwtfs S.MARIA DG  250 84  Dari 40E,41NW
6195  01:30 02:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Dari 40E,41NW
7445  01:30 02:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Dari 40E,41NW
7295  01:30 02:00 smtwtfs S.MARIA DG  250 84  Dari 40E,41NW
9410  02:30 03:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Dari 40E,41NW
12095 02:30 03:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Dari 40E,41NW
13850 02:30 03:00 smtwtfs EREVAN      300 100 Dari 40E,41NW
17810 08:30 09:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Dari 40E,41NW
21470 08:30 09:00 smtwtfs DHABAYYA    250 45  Dari 40E,41NW
17810 09:30 10:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Dari 40E,41NW
21470 09:30 10:00 smtwtfs DHABAYYA    250 45  Dari 40E,41NW
17810 10:30 11:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Dari 40E,41NW
21470 10:30 11:00 smtwtfs DHABAYYA    250 45  Dari 40E,41NW
5970  14:00 15:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Dari 40E,41NW
11995 14:00 15:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 315 Dari 40E,41NW
5970  16:00 16:30 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Dari 40E,41NW
11995 16:00 16:30 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 315 Dari 40E,41NW
5970  16:30 17:00 s.....s A SEELA     250 35  Dari 40E,41NW
11995 16:30 17:00 s.....s KRANJI      250 315 Dari 40E,41NW
5970  17:00 18:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Dari 40E,41NW
5875  17:00 18:00 smtwtfs EREVAN      300 100 Dari 40E,41NW
11735 17:00 18:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 315 Dari 40E,41NW
5945  00:00 01:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 63  English 41,42SW
7325  00:00 01:00 smtwtfs EREVAN      300 100 English 41,42SW
7325  01:00 02:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 63  English 41,42SW
17790 01:00 02:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 315 English 41,42SW
1413  01:00 02:30 smtwtfs A SEELA     800 80  English 41NW
1413  02:30 04:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     800 350 English 39NE,40
12095 03:00 04:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 320 English 30S,39NE,40
13580 03:00 04:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 10  English 30S,39NE,40
12095 04:00 05:00 smtwtfs MADAGASCAR  250 315 English 48SW,53NW
1413  04:00 05:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     800 350 English 39NE,40
13580 04:00 05:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 335 English 30S,39NE,40
15310 04:00 05:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 10  English 30S,39NE,40
5875  04:59 06:00 smtwtfs WOOFFERTON  250 78  English 27SE,28NW
21560 05:00 06:00 smtwtfs DHABAYYA    250 225 English 48SW,53NW
11810 05:00 06:00 smtwtfs MADAGASCAR  250 265 English 52SE,53SW,57N
9410  05:00 06:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 27 English 46
12095 05:00 06:00 smtwtfs S.MARIA DG  250 199 English 46
15490 05:00 06:00 smtwtfs WOOFFERTON  250 158 English 47SW,52
21560 06:00 07:00 smtwtfs MADAGASCAR  250 310 English 48SW,53NW
17640 06:00 07:00 smtwtfs MADAGASCAR  250 265 English 52SE,53SW,57N
15420 06:00 07:00 smtwtfs SAO TOME    100 138 English 52SE,53SW,57N
9915  06:00 07:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 85  English 47SW,52
9410  06:00 07:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 27  English 46
17830 06:00 07:00 smtwtfs S.MARIA DG  250 170 English 47SW,52
12095 06:00 07:00 smtwtfs SAO TOME    100 335 English 46
21560 07:00 08:00 smtwtfs MADAGASCAR  250 310 English 48SW,53NW
21630 07:00 08:00 smtwtfs MADAGASCAR  250 260 English 52SE,53SW,57N
17640 07:00 08:00 smtwtfs SAO TOME    100 138 English 52SE,53SW,57N
15490 07:00 08:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 85  English 47SW,52
15400 07:00 08:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 27  English 46
21470 07:00 08:00 smtwtfs S.MARIA DG  250 170 English 47SW,52
13580 07:00 08:00 smtwtfs SAO TOME    100 335 English 46
17720 07:59 09:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      100 315 English 41
11945 10:00 12:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 340 English 49W
9410  10:00 12:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      125 135 English 51W,54
6195  10:00 12:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      125 90  English 51W,54
9410  10:00 12:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      125 13  English 43SE,44SW,49E
6195  10:00 12:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      125 0   English 49W
11855 10:00 11:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 90  English 51W,54
15640 10:00 11:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 13  English 43SE,44SW,49E
11695 12:00 13:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 13  English 43E,44
17790 12:00 13:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 80  English 41,42SW
15310 12:00 13:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 63  English 41,42SW
1413  13:00 16:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     800 80  English 41NW
15310 13:00 14:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 63  English 41,42SW
11685 13:00 14:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 315 English 41,42SW
11800 15:00 16:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 225 English 48SW,53NW
12025 15:00 17:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 315 English 30S,39NE,40
11700 16:00 17:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 225 English 52SE,53SW,57N
21630 16:00 17:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 114 English 52SE,53SW,57N
7445  16:00 20:00 smtwtfs MADAGASCAR  250 320 English 48SW,53NW
17830 16:00 17:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 85  English 47SW,52
1413  16:00 17:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     800 350 English 39NE,40
7265  17:00 20:00 smtwtfs MADAGASCAR  250 265 English 52SE,53SW,57N
17830 17:00 19:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 65  English 47SW,52
21470 17:00 18:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 65  English 46
17780 17:00 18:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 27  English 46
1413  17:00 18:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     800 80  English 41NW
6195  17:00 19:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 320 English 30S,39NE,40
12025 17:00 19:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 315 English 30S,39NE,40
9410  18:00 20:00 smtwtfs DHABAYYA    250 225 English 48SW,53NW
15400 18:00 19:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 27  English 46
17640 18:00 19:00 smtwtfs WOOFFERTON  250 165 English 46
9890  19:00 20:00 smtwtfs SAO TOME    100 138 English 52SE,53SW,57N
11810 19:00 21:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 65  English 47SW,52
15400 19:00 20:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 27  English 46
1413  19:00 21:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     800 350 English 39NE,40
12095 20:00 21:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 125 27  English 46
11810 21:00 22:00 .mtwtf. ASCENSION R 125 65  English 47SW,52
12095 21:00 22:00 .mtwtf. ASCENSION R 125 27  English 46
5955  22:00 23:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 85  English 49W
11695 22:00 23:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 60  English 43E,44
6195  22:00 00:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      125 90  English 51W,54
7465  22:00 00:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 13  English 43SE,44SW,49E
6195  22:00 00:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      125 0   English 49W
9440  22:00 23:00 smtwtfs TINANG      250 200 English 51W,54
9690  23:00 00:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 85  English 49W
11825 23:00 00:00 smtwtfs TINANG      250 200 English 51W,54
12065 06:00 06:29 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 250 70  French 47S,52N,52SE
7410  06:00 06:29 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 250 27  French 46
9440  06:00 06:29 smtwtfs S.MARIA DG  250 230 French 37
13810 06:00 06:29 smtwtfs WOOFFERTON  250 180 French 37
15260 07:00 07:29 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 250 27  French 46
17830 07:00 07:29 smtwtfs SAO TOME    100 88  French 47S,52N,52SE
17640 12:00 12:30 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 250 27  French 46
25900 12:00 12:30 smtwtfs MADAGASCAR  250 310 French 47S,52N,52SE
17535 12:00 12:30 smtwtfs S.MARIA DG  250 238 French 37
15490 18:00 18:30 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 250 27  French 46
11875 18:00 18:30 smtwtfs S.MARIA DG  100 230 French 37
13790 18:00 18:30 smtwtfs S.MARIA DG  250 210 French 46
9750  18:00 18:30 smtwtfs S.MARIA DG  250 146 French 53S
13720 18:00 18:30 smtwtfs SOFIA       250 180 French 47S,52N,52SE
9440  05:29 06:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 250 65  Hausa 46SE
7410  05:29 06:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 250 65  Hausa 46SE
12065 05:29 06:00 smtwtfs WOOFFERTON  250 160 Hausa 46SE
12065 06:29 07:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 250 65  Hausa 46SE
9440  06:29 07:00 smtwtfs ASCENSION R 250 65  Hausa 46SE
13810 06:29 07:00 smtwtfs SAO TOME    100 20  Hausa 46SE
21630 11:00 14:00 ......s ASCENSION R 250 65  Hausa 46SE
21630 14:00 14:30 .mtwtf. ASCENSION R 250 55  Hausa 46SE
25800 14:00 14:30 .mtwtf. S.MARIA DG  250 185 Hausa 46SE
13810 14:00 14:30 .mtwtf. SAO TOME    100 0   Hausa 46SE
11660 19:30 20:30 .....f. ASCENSION R 250 65  Hausa 46SE
9685  19:30 20:30 .....f. ASCENSION R 250 55  Hausa 46SE
11660 19:30 20:00 smtwt.s ASCENSION R 250 65  Hausa 46SE
9685  19:30 20:00 smtwt.s ASCENSION R 250 55  Hausa 46SE
15490 19:30 20:30 .....f. WOOFFERTON  250 158 Hausa 46SE
15490 19:30 20:00 smtwt.s WOOFFERTON  250 158 Hausa 46SE
12095 15:30 18:30 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 25  Korean 44NE
9390  15:30 18:30 smtwtfs ORZU        250 72  Korean 44NE
7355  15:30 18:30 smtwtfs TINANG      250 21  Korean 44NE
21660 05:00 06:00 ......s DHABAYYA    250 220 Krwanda/Krundi 48SW,53NW
17815 05:00 06:00 ......s S.MARIA DG  250 153 Krwanda/Krundi 48SW,53NW
21660 05:29 06:00 s...... DHABAYYA    250 220 Krwanda/Krundi 48SW,53NW
17815 05:29 06:00 s...... S.MARIA DG  250 153 Krwanda/Krundi 48SW,53NW
13860 16:30 17:00 .mtwtf. DHABAYYA    250 225 Krwanda/Krundi 48SW,53NW
17745 16:30 17:00 .mtwtf. MADAGASCAR  250 315 Krwanda/Krundi 48SW,53NW
9540  17:50 18:10 .mtwtf. A SEELA     250 240 Oromo 48
11965 17:50 18:10 .mtwtf. DHABAYYA    250 230 Oromo 48
15685 17:50 18:10 .mtwtf. S.MARIA DG  250 130 Oromo 48
9685  18:50 19:10 .mtwtf. A SEELA     250 240 Oromo 48
11965 18:50 19:10 .mtwtf. S.MARIA DG  250 130 Oromo 48
7445  01:00 01:30 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Pashto 40E,41NW
6195  01:00 01:30 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Pashto 40E,41NW
7295  01:00 01:30 smtwtfs S.MARIA DG  250 84  Pashto 40E,41NW
9410  02:00 02:30 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Pashto 40E,41NW
12095 02:00 02:30 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Pashto 40E,41NW
13850 02:00 02:30 smtwtfs EREVAN      300 100 Pashto 40E,41NW
11870 03:00 03:30 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Pashto 40E,41NW
13850 03:00 03:30 smtwtfs DHABAYYA    250 45  Pashto 40E,41NW
15310 03:00 03:30 smtwtfs EREVAN      300 100 Pashto 40E,41NW
17810 09:00 09:30 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Pashto 40E,41NW
21470 09:00 09:30 smtwtfs DHABAYYA    250 45  Pashto 40E,41NW
17810 10:00 10:30 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Pashto 40E,41NW
21470 10:00 10:30 smtwtfs DHABAYYA    250 45  Pashto 40E,41NW
17810 11:00 11:30 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Pashto 40E,41NW
21470 11:00 11:30 smtwtfs DHABAYYA    250 45  Pashto 40E,41NW
5970  15:00 16:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Pashto 40E,41NW
11995 15:00 16:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 315 Pashto 40E,41NW
5970  16:30 17:00 .mtwtf. A SEELA     250 35  Pashto 40E,41NW
11995 16:30 17:00 .mtwtf. KRANJI      250 315 Pashto 40E,41NW
5970  18:00 19:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     250 35  Pashto 40E,41NW
1413  18:00 19:00 smtwtfs A SEELA     800 35  Pashto 41NW
5875  18:00 19:00 smtwtfs EREVAN      300 100 Pashto 40E,41NW
11735 18:00 19:00 smtwtfs KRANJI      250 315 Pashto 40E,41NW
17745 04:00 04:30 .mtwtf. DHABAYYA    250 225 Somali 48
13790 04:00 04:30 .mtwtf. MADAGASCAR  250 0   Somali 48
17745 11:00 14:00 ......s DHABAYYA    250 220 Somali 48
21660 11:00 14:00 ......s MADAGASCAR  250 350 Somali 48
17745 14:00 15:00 .mtwtf. DHABAYYA    250 225 Somali 48
15420 14:00 15:00 .mtwtf. DHABAYYA    250 225 Somali 48
21660 14:00 15:00 .mtwtf. MADAGASCAR  250 350 Somali 48
9540  18:10 18:30 .mtwtf. A SEELA     250 240 Tigrinya 48
11965 18:10 18:30 .mtwtf. DHABAYYA    250 230 Tigrinya 48
15685 18:10 18:30 .mtwtf. S.MARIA DG  250 130 Tigrinya 48
9685  19:10 19:30 .mtwtf. A SEELA     250 240 Tigrinya 48
11965 19:10 19:30 .mtwtf. S.MARIA DG  250 130 Tigrinya 48

Last Updated : 10th March 23

(Alokesh Gupta)

New funding to protect BBC World Service language services

New funding to protect BBC World Service language services

The government awarded the BBC World Service £20 million to support language services and English-language broadcasting, as part of the Integrated Review refresh.

More at :  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-funding-agreed-to-keep-bbc-world-service-on-air

Happy 90th anniversary to BBC World Service

This is London calling"
Happy 90th anniversary to BBC World Service, calling the world since 1932.

Learn more about rich history of BBC World Service here: https://bit.ly/3hz0Vcw

In a special 90th anniversary programme, Nick Rankin digs into a treasure trove of sound archive and talks to journalists who made and still make the BBC World Service such a remarkable network.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct4lzh

(Via BBC News Press Team on Twitter)

BBC World Service now offers new eQSL service

BBC World Service now offers new eQSL service at :

https://t.co/P6klvpiN0U

Thanks to Chris Greenway via WOR for this info.

Submitted a reception report for BBC English 12025 kHz, received an automated response instantly with no data e-qsl, cool !

However feel that basic data like Date, Frequency & time should be added to the e-qsl to be more authentic other just with the picture of transmitter site it doesnt have any value for dxers !

Burundi to suspend operations of VOA, BBC ahead of May 17 referendum

Burundi on Friday announced broadcast bans on two international networks. The measure which takes off on Monday May 7 affects the Voice of America (VOA) and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

The ban according to a government statement is to last for a period of six months. The reason for the suspension is for "falling short of laws governing the press" and "breaching professional ethics".

More at :

http://www.africanews.com/2018/05/04/burundi-suspends-operations-of-voa-bbc-ahead-of-may-17-referendum//

VOA statement on Government of Burundi's Suspension of VOA Operations

Washington, D.C.—The Voice of America condemns the recent action of the government of Burundi to suspend its broadcast operations for six months, effective May 7.

"We are dismayed by the actions taken today by the Burundi National Communications Council to ban VOA from broadcasting its news and information programs," said VOA Director Amanda Bennett. "Our audience members count on VOA to provide factual, unbiased and objective coverage of current events, so this ban deprives the citizens of Burundi of a trusted news source during a critical time in that country. This is even more distressing coming only one day after World Press Freedom Day – a day calling for governments to remove, not impose, restrictions on the media."

VOA content will continue to be available in Kirundi and Kinyarwanda via shortwave channels, on the Internet and on FM transmitters located in neighboring countries.

New BBC transmission for South Asia & additional frequencies

With effect from 27th April 2018 BBC has introduced an additional World Service transmission to South Asia  :

1200-1300 UTC on 12065, 15310 kHz (both are from A'Seela).

Also from 27th April 2018 additional frequencies are available at following time slots :

0000-0100 UTC on 7290 kHz (Taskkent)

0100-0200 UTC on 9410 kHz (Tashkent)

1300-1400 UTC on 12065 kHz (Singapore)

(Alok Dasgupta)

Change in schedule for BBC special DRM txn for DRM GA in english

Change in schedule for BBC special DRM txn for DRM GA in english Via Babcock International to large areas of south west Europe and part of the north African coast.

April 18th, 2018

1000-1100 UTC will be on 11970 kHz

1100-1200 UTC will be on 13845 kHz

BABCOCK, BBC DRM TRANSMISSION DURING DRM GENERAL ASSEMBLY

April 17th and 18th, 2018

1000-1200 UTC on 11970 kHz - BBC World Service in English

Towards south west Europe and part of the north African coast.

http://www.drm.org/babcock-bbc-drm-transmission-during-drm-general-assembly/

New BBC Radio services and English Language Learning for Ethiopia and Eritrea

The BBC is launching new daily radio services which will be aired Monday to Friday in Amharic, Afaan Oromo and Tigrinya. The new language services have been available online since September 2017 when they launched websites and Facebook pages in all three languages.

The new radio services will provide impartial news, current affairs, features and analysis for Ethiopia and Eritrea, as well as regional and international news. There will be a strong focus on culture, health and original journalism from the region. These services are part of the largest investment in the BBC World Service since the 1940s and are funded by the UK government.

The programme will be broadcast on shortwave, satellite - and streamed directly onto each service's Facebook page.

In addition content produced by BBC Learning English, part of the BBC World Service which teaches English to global audiences will feature prominently across the schedules for all three languages, with daily content as follows:

Essential English - Beginners (airs on Monday, repeated on Wednesday)

A functional five-minute audio course presented by an English speaker and a local presenter, which aims to help beginners to learn English. Learners will be introduced to essential chunks of functional language, which will allow them to start having simple conversations in English immediately.

English Expressions - Intermediate (airs Tuesday, repeated on Thursday)

This five-minute audio course focusses on common expressions used in everyday English. An English speaking presenter and a local language presenter discuss the meaning and use a different expression each week.

English Together Advanced (airs Friday only)

This is a bilingual five-minute audio with three presenters (2 English and one local language) discussing a current (safe i.e. non news) topic and examining the language used in the story allowing the user the practise their listening skills and equip them with the grammar and vocabulary needed to discuss the story.

The programmes are broadcast Monday-Friday at the following times:

17:30 – 17.45: Amharic news

17.45 – 17:50: BBC Learning English Amharic

17:50 – 18:05: Afaan Oromo News

18.05 – 18.10: BBC Learning English Afaan Oromo

18:10 – 18:25: Tigrinya News

18:25 – 18:30: BBC Learning English Tigrinya

Programmes will also be streamed via the respective BBC websites and Facebook pages (see links below).

Details of how to listen:

Amharic   https://www.bbc.com/amharic

Afaan Oromo   https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafaanoromoo/

Tigrinya     https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewstigrinya

Notes to Editors :

The Initial shortwave broadcast to go out at 17:30 GMT/ 20:30 EAT on three transmitters providing coverage across Ethiopia and Eritrea:

7595  kHz

11720 kHz

12065 kHz

Repeat to follow at 18:30 GMT /21:30 EAT

9885  kHz

15490 kHz

Satellite Radio content will go out on the following channels:

Arabsat (BADR4) - 11.966 GHz, Horizontal

Nilesat 201 -11.843 GHz, Horizontal

Hotbird 13D – 12.597 GHz, Vertical

Evening satellite broadcast to go out at 17:30 GMT and will be repeated until 21:30 GMT.

The BBC World Service reaches a global audience of 269 million weekly, on radio, TV, and digital.

BBC World Service received further funding of £291m until 2019/20 from the UK Government to launch twelve new language services: Afaan Oromo, Amharic, Gujarati, Igbo, Korean, Marathi, Pidgin, Punjabi, Serbian, Telugu, Tigrinya, and Yoruba. This additional funding is not part of the licence fee.

MF

(Press Release)

BBC launches Ethiopian and Eritrean radio services

The BBC on Monday launched new daily radio services producing news, current affairs, features and English language training for Ethiopians and Eritreans.

The BBC World Service programmes will be broadcast from Monday to Friday in the Amharic, Afaan Oromo and Tigrinya languages and will be aired on shortwave radio and streamed on Facebook.

Full story at :

http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/bbc-launches-ethiopian-and-eritrean-radio-services/article/513398

Schedule :

1730-1830 UTC on 7595, 11720 and 12065 kHz

1830-1930 UTC on 9855 and 15490 kHz

1730 Amharic

1750 Oromo

1810 Tigrinya

1830 Amharic (repeat of 1730)

1850 Oromo (repeat of 1750)

1910 Tigrinya (repeat of 1810)

BBC News begins huge India investment

BBC News today began a major expansion in India, launching news services in four Indian languages: Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi and Telugu - and relaunching a nightly TV news bulletin in Hindi, BBC Duniya, to be broadcast on India News.

The new services are available online and on social media, with a Telugu TV bulletin, BBC Prapancham, also starting tonight. This will be broadcast on Eenadu TV Andhra Pradesh and Eenadu TV Telangana.

This forms part of a significant BBC investment in India, including an expanded news bureau in Delhi with 2 new TV studios. The Delhi bureau is now the BBC's largest outside the UK. It will become a video, TV and digital content production hub for the whole of South Asia.

This follows a huge talent drive in India, with the BBC recruiting more than 150 new journalistic staff from across the country.

Director-General of the BBC, Tony Hall, is in India for the launch of the services. Speaking from Delhi, where he was officially opening the BBC Bureau, he says: "I'm delighted to be in India to mark such a significant milestone for the BBC. For decades, audiences in India have trusted the BBC to bring them impartial, independent news, and today millions more have the chance to access the BBC in their own languages.

"We know the BBC is already held in great regard and affection across India, and we want to bring BBC News to new audiences, particularly the next generation of news consumers. We've recruited amazingly talented new journalists from across India, and it's been an honour to meet many of them today.

"I'm also pleased the BBC is working with new TV partners in India News and Eenadu TV."

K.Bapineedu, CEO of Eenadu TV Network, says: "The BBC has established its brand name as a credible news channel across the globe. The initiative from the BBC, to produce international stories with a global perspective in the Telugu language and to be broadcast on the ETV Network, will add value to our existing endeavour of reaching the Telugu audience with the highest reach and authenticity."

Kartikeya Sharma, Founder and Promoter of iTV Network, the owner and operator of India News, says: "The BBC is known for its well-researched and unbiased content, which will now reach our viewers in a language and format they can easily comprehend. India News is acknowledged as a channel that captures the pulse of the nation and promotes a brand of direct and responsible news coverage. With the coming together of the two, our viewers can look forward to getting a global perspective on stories of international significance from networks they can trust."

BBC News already broadcasts to 28m people in Bengali, Hindi, Tamil and Urdu, as well as English.

The investment in India comes as part of the BBC World Service's biggest expansion since the 1940s, made possible by £291m investment from the UK Government. The BBC has already launched news in Pidgin, Afaan Oromo, Amharic, Tigrinya and Korean, with services in Yoruba, Igbo and Serbian to follow.

BBC Duniya is broadcast Monday-Friday at 1800 IST on India News. BBC Prapancham is broadcast Monday-Friday at 2230 IST on Eenadu TV Andhra Pradesh and Eenadu TV Telangana. Both bulletins will be fast-paced programmes giving audiences original journalism and a global perspective on the international and national stories of the day.

TV news bulletins in Marathi will be broadcast later this year, with Gujarati following next year.

Downloadable English language learning modules will also be available via our sites.

News in the four languages is also available on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

The new websites are available as follows:

https://www.bbc.com/marathi

https://www.bbc.com/telugu

https://www.bbc.com/punjabi

https://www.bbc.com/gujarati

Notes to Editors

The BBC attracts a weekly global audience of 346 million people to its international news services including BBC World Service, BBC World News television channel and bbc.com/news.

BBC World Service delivers news content around the world in English and more than 30 other languages, on radio, TV and digital, reaching a weekly audience of 269 million. As part of BBC World Service, BBC Learning English teaches English to global audiences. For more information, visit bbc.com/worldservice

(Press Release)

BBC World Service continues expansion with new services for Ethiopia and Eritrea

Three new language services for Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the diaspora are being launched today by the BBC World Service as part of its biggest expansion since the 1940s.

BBC News in Amharic, Afaan Oromo and Tigrinya will be available online and on Facebook. This will be followed later in the year with shortwave radio services in each language consisting of a 15-minute news and current affairs programme, followed by a 5-minute Learning English programme, from Monday to Friday.

The new BBC services will provide impartial news, current affairs and analysis of Ethiopia and Eritrea as well as regional and international news. Boosting the BBC's operation in the Horn of Africa will also provide the rest of the BBC's global audience with a better understanding of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Programmes will target a younger audience with social media playing a key role. In addition to news and current affairs, there will be extensive coverage of culture, entertainment, entrepreneurship, science and technology, health and sport - including the English Premier League.

These services will benefit from a growing network of journalists across the region and around the world.

Francesca Unsworth, BBC World Service Director, says: "The BBC World Service brings independent, impartial news to audiences around the world,  especially in places where media freedom is limited. I'm delighted we're extending our service to millions of people in Ethiopia, Eritrea and the diaspora worldwide." 

Will Ross, Editorial Lead for Africa, says: "We know that there is a great deal of hunger for audiences in Ethiopia and Eritrea to access a broad range of high quality content in Amharic, Afaan Oromo and Tigrinya. It has been a privilege to work with Ethiopian and Eritrean journalists who are so keen to learn new skills and to ensure the new language services are a success."

(Press Release)

BBC News launches Korean language service

The new Korean language service announced in November 2016 by the BBC World Service began broadcasting today. Audiences in the Korean peninsula and Korean speakers around the world can now hear radio broadcasts and access the latest news online at BBC.com/Korean.

BBC News Korean is one of 12 new language service launches now underway as part of the biggest expansion of the BBC World Service since the 1940s, funded through a £291 million grant in aid from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Director of the BBC World Service Francesca Unsworth says: "BBC News Korean will build on the long-standing reputation for fairness and impartiality the BBC World Service has earned all over the world."

BBC News Korean features a daily 30-minute radio news programme broadcast at 15.30 GMT on Shortwave (SW) and 16.30 GMT Medium wave (MW). The service will also feature a digital offer with written stories, videos and radio programmes which can be downloaded and shared. The new service features a wide range of news, sport, business, culture, in-depth reports and English language learning.

BBC News Korean journalists will be based in Seoul, London and Washington and will draw on the full extent of the BBC's global network of correspondents.

Notes to Editors

Service to launch on Monday 25 September at 15.30 GMT (Tuesday 26 September in Korea):

Shortwave service to broadcast for three hours, 15.30 - 18.30 GMT

(0030 – 0330 GMT local time Seoul; 00.00 - 03.00 local time, PYT)

Medium wave service transmission for 1 hour 16.30 - 17.30 GMT

(0130-0230 local time Seoul; 01.00 - 02.00 local time, PYT)

All transmissions to be 7 days a week

Medium wave (MW) Frequency: 1431KHz

Shortwave (SW) Frequencies: 5810 kHz & 9940 kHz (from launch to 28 October 2017) then; 5810 kHz & 5830 kHz (from 29 October 2017 to 24 March 2018)

The BBC News Korean website will be available at BBC.com/Korean

The BBC World Service is currently launching in 12 new languages - Afaan Oromo, Amharic, Gujarati, Igbo, Korean, Marathi, Pidgin, Punjabi, Serbian, Telugu, Tigrinya, and Yoruba.

(Press Release)

BBC's Caversham Park put up for sale amid cuts

The BBC is selling the Grade II-listed Caversham Park estate in Berkshire in an effort to save money on property costs. The Victorian stately home is the base for BBC Monitoring, which has lost nearly half of its staff since 2011. BBC Monitoring summarises news from 150 countries in 100 different languages for the BBC.

Full story at :

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-40414905

BBC World Service rolls out new Spring schedule

The new schedule will bring our global audience a richer mix of programmes and digital content to keep them up to speed with the key stories of the day and satisfy their interest in a broad array of topics.Mary Hockaday, Controller, BBC World Service English

BBC World Service's new Spring schedule rolls out from the end of March, continuing to reflect the funding boost received last year with strengthened original journalism, a fresh approach to arts programming and the launch of a new season of programmes exploring a varied collection of human stories.

New culture series In the Studio will give unique access to the world's leading creative people in the process of making their art and work a reality. BBC OS will bring together Outside Source and World Have Your Say into a new extended two-hour programme, and The Newsroom will increase its coverage of key stories, with up to six broadcasts a day.

Launching in April is Life Stories - a new season exploring fascinating stories about who we are and how we live. BBC World Service is also rolling out a new product launch with BBC Minute On… - additional 60-second programmes which will explore a single subject in greater detail and be available to partner stations around the world.

Mary Hockaday, Controller of BBC World Service English, says: "This spring we'll be rolling out an enriched schedule with strengthened news programmes, a brand new culture series shedding light on how the world's leading creative people work, think and develop, and a new season of programmes delving into a diverse range of intriguing human stories. Making the most of the funding boost we received last year, the new schedule will bring our global audience a richer mix of programmes and digital content to keep them up to speed with the key stories of the day and satisfy their interest in a broad array of topics."

In the Studio will take listeners into the working lives of leading and emerging artists from across the globe. Each week the series will follow painters, designers, musicians, dancers, directors and creatives of all types as they make their work. The series launches with Chinese artist, activist and architect Ai Weiwei, who will take Tim Marlow (Artistic Director of the Royal Academy) on a tour of his Berlin studio, revealing Ai Weiwei's creative process and the details that continue to inspire and drive his work. Subsequent episodes will go on set with rock-star cinematographer Christopher Doyle as he directs a movie in Hong Kong; and meet Brazilian visual artist Vik Muniz, who creates images photographed from helicopters and microscopes. The series will continue throughout the year, spending time with actors, game designers, artistic directors and many more.

BBC OS will bring together the best of Outside Source and World Have Your Say, building on both programmes' strengths and including new elements that give a vibrant account of the day's events with explanation and reaction from those involved. Showcasing the best of the BBC's global resources, the two hour programme will be broadcast every weekday at the new time of 1500-1700 GMT, opening it up to peak audiences in Europe, Africa and America. Nuala McGovern, who has presented Outside Source since 2015, will anchor the programme across the two hours from the middle of the BBC newsroom in London.

The Newsroom - From 1 May, The Newsroom - where the BBC's worldwide network of correspondents report on the stories of the day - will enhance its coverage with up to six editions across the day, seven days a week. The Newsroom will be able to adapt rapidly to breaking stories and events whenever they happen.

Life Stories - April will see the launch of Life Stories – a new season of content across BBC World Service, BBC World News and digital platforms exploring a diverse range of stories - from celebrating the birthday of one of the oldest women in Africa to uncovering differing attitudes to death, companionship and rites of passage around the world. Celebrating Life at 117 (TV and radio) follows a trainee journalist as she travels to Kenya to celebrate the 117th birthday of her great grandmother who is thought to be the oldest woman in Africa.  #GrannyWisdom will see some of the world's top social media stars find out what their grandmothers think about their online lives and the issues they deal with in the digital world; this content will be shared online and on BBC World Service radio. Living With The Dead (TV and radio) will look at an Indonesian community who live with the bodies of their loved ones, while Dying To Talk (radio) will visit the Death Cafes popping up worldwide encouraging people to talk about grief and fear of death. A Stranger's Ear (radio) will head to Japan where a man has set up a network of temporary friends – people who lend a sympathetic ear to a stranger in need. Four Days (TV and radio) will look at the impact of the practice in Nepal of confining women away from the family during their period. Last year a 15 year-old girl died, suffocated by a fire she lit in the hut where she was staying during menstruation. The season will also see BBC World Service and Wellcome Collection join forces to host a series of events and broadcasts exploring humankind's relationship with animals in The Evidence: Humans And Animals (radio). Over five programmes, presenters Claudia Hammond and Tim Cockerill will be joined by a panel of experts in front of a live audience to discuss topics including human and animal interaction, intelligence and consciousness.

BBC Minute On... - BBC World Service is also launching new BBC Minute products with BBC Minute On… - new 60 second features that will focus on a single subject. From 3 April, in addition to the existing BBC Minute which provides a dynamic roundup of the latest news updated every half hour, there will now also be two additional BBC Minute products each day which elaborate on the key talking point of the day or explore a topic - from tech and money to fitness and science - in more detail. BBC Minute is aimed at younger audiences around the world, and is available to partner stations who broadcast them on their own stations, bringing the BBC's impartial journalism to new listeners across the globe.

(Press Release)

BBC World Service announces biggest expansion 'since the 1940s'

The BBC World Service will launch 11 new language services as part of its biggest expansion "since the 1940s", the corporation has announced.

The expansion is a result of the funding boost announced by the UK government last year.

The new languages will be Afaan Oromo, Amharic, Gujarati, Igbo, Korean, Marathi, Pidgin, Punjabi, Telugu, Tigrinya, and Yoruba.

The first new services are expected to launch in 2017.

Full story at :

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-37990220

BBC announces next-generation broadcast network for the digital age

The BBC has chosen BT to provide its broadcast network, delivering considerable savings and paving the way for future digital innovation. This enables the BBC to move to a new, state-of-the-art network based on internet technologies from April 2017.

The new network will be more efficient, flexible, and better able to support BBC innovation. For example, extra services and capacity can be added for major events, such as a general election or the Olympics, more easily and at a lower cost than with the current system. It will also make it easier for the BBC to work with and explore emerging, data-hungry formats - like Ultra HD (4K), 360-degree content, and others yet to be invented.

The contract for the new provider is worth over £100m for seven years, with an option for the BBC to extend for a further three. It will save the BBC tens of millions of pounds, making a significant contribution to the BBC's savings targets, as it capitalises on advances in technology and a competitive procurement to reduce the overall cost.

Matthew Postgate, Chief Technology Officer at the BBC, said: "This is an important step towards building an internet-fit BBC and will allow us to provide more interactive and personalised content in the future. At a time when the BBC faces serious financial challenges, it will also save us tens of millions of pounds so we can focus more of our money on the programmes and services for licence fee payers."

The new network will link all BBC UK sites, including 21 broadcasting centres and local radio stations, as well as connecting to the main overseas bureaux and partners for playout of the BBC's TV channels. It will carry all video, audio and data traffic, as well as fixed line telephony, ISDN and broadband services.

It will be operated by BT's global media services operation, BT Media and Broadcast. The selection of BT follows a public procurement under the BBC's Aurora Programme, which is re-sourcing all of the BBC's core technology services as the current contract expires in April 2017.

Mark Wilson-Dunn, Global Vice President of BT Media and Broadcast, said: "We are delighted by the BBC's decision to choose us as their next generation broadcast network partner. Both of our organisations have a vital part to play in making the best use of advanced technology to support and enable the ever-accelerating evolution of broadcast media."

The current broadcast network is provided by Vodafone UK through the BBC's principal technology services provider, Atos. In future, Vodafone will continue to have an important strategic relationship with the BBC, providing a key data centre, telephony services and additional connectivity in London.

Over the coming year, the BBC will be working with both Vodafone and BT to ensure a smooth transition to the new network.

DT

(BBC Press Release)

BBC announces further programming to mark The Queen's 90th birthday celebrations

The BBC is offering an unrivalled range and breadth of programmes to mark Her Majesty 90th birthday, including landmark documentaries and extensive television coverage with special events marking the occasionCharlotte Moore, Controller, TV Channels and iPlayer

The BBC has announced a wide range of programming to mark Her Majesty The Queen's 90th birthday this year, including extensive coverage of key events, a landmark BBC One documentary and specially made programmes across other outlets, both here and overseas.

Events coverage will include BBC One broadcasting live from the Commonwealth Observance Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 14. The service, attended by members of the Royal Family including The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will also be streamed internationally on bbc.com.

BBC One will then broadcast three days of live events to mark The Queen's official 90th birthday beginning on Friday 10th June with a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral. There will be the traditional display of pageantry of The Queen's Birthday Parade (Trooping The Colour) on Saturday 11 June on Horse Guards Parade, culminating with members of The Royal Family making their annual appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to the delight of thousands of people gathered along the Mall.

On Sunday 12 June, BBC One will broadcast a special celebration taking place on The Mall to close the weekend of birthday celebrations. The iconic stretch will be transformed for The Patron's Lunch with 10,000 people gathered to celebrate The Queen's patronage of over 600 charities and organisations on the occasion of her 90th birthday. The one-off fundraising spectacle will be a classic British 'street party' where guests will enjoy a hamper-style lunch at tables positioned along the full length of The Mall, with carnival-style entertainment and Union flags aplenty. The Queen will be joined by other members of The Royal Family to celebrate the occasion. The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry are Joint Presidents of The Patron's Lunch.

Alongside coverage of these events, the BBC will broadcast a range of special programming including a landmark BBC One documentary to mark The Queen's 90th birthday, documentaries on Radio 2 and the World Service, and coverage on BBC News outlets around the country.

Further coverage will be announced in due course.

Charlotte Moore, Controller, TV Channels and iPlayer says: "The BBC is offering an unrivalled range and breadth of programmes to mark Her Majesty 90th birthday, including landmark documentaries and extensive television coverage with special events marking the occasion. This is a significant moment for the nation and the BBC will be right at the heart of the celebrations."

EDA

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/queens-birthday-celebrations

(Press Release)

Statement on newly announced Government funding of the World Service

Tony Hall, the Director-General of the BBC, said:

"I warmly welcome today's announcement. It's fantastic news.

"This new funding is the single biggest increase in the World Service budget ever committed by any government.

"The millions announced today will help the BBC deliver on our commitment to uphold global democracy through accurate, impartial and independent news reporting.

"The World Service is one of the UK's most important cultural exports and one of our best sources of global influence. We can now further build on that. The funding will also help speed us on to our target of reaching half a billion people globally."

- Enhanced TV services for Africa

- New radio services for audiences in North Korea; radio and digital services for Ethiopia and Eritrea

- Additional language offers via digital and TV in India and Nigeria

- More regionalised content to better serve audiences to the BBC Arabic Service

- Dedicated TV output for Somalia and a fully digital service for Thailand

- Enhanced digital and TV services for Russian speakers, both in Russia and surrounding communities

- A video-led digital transformation of Languages services

- To expand the impact and future-proof World Service English

(BBC Press Office)