91Èȱ¬

91Èȱ¬ World News announces, at a European media briefing in London today, its key achievements from the past year and plans for the year ahead across its business, editorial and brand.

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Over the 07/08 period, 91Èȱ¬ World News has seen its global weekly TV audience increase to 78 million, up two million on the previous year; experienced over 20% growth in advertising sales revenues and enjoyed double digit overall revenue growth.

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In Europe, 91Èȱ¬ World News is now distributed in 87 million full-time households, an increase of 10% on the previous year, and European audiences watching the 24/7 news channel have increased by 50% over the past five years.

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Additionally, the 91Èȱ¬'s international-facing website, bbc.com, is now attracting 29 million unique users per month (eight million from Europe), with 50% visiting the news pages.

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Moving forward, 91Èȱ¬ World News, previously known as 91Èȱ¬ World, is positioning itself as a tri-media news service, delivering international news and information across multiple platforms - TV, online and mobile.

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Editorially, 91Èȱ¬ World News is looking to deliver more live up-to-the-minute news reporting across a broader news agenda from its state-of-the-art tri-media studio in London. It will also focus on providing more in-depth news and debate, plus global and regional news, business and sports programming.

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91Èȱ¬ World News remains committed to its business programming - essential viewing with the global economy currently at the forefront of many people's minds – with the launch of World News Today – Business Edition. Broadcast from London at 2100hrs GMT, the programme is presented by Tanya Beckett and carries live reports from London, New York and Singapore.

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In July, a new World News Today programme with Mishal Husain will be launched. Broadcast at 1300hrs GMT, the programme will target the East Asia evening-peak audiences.

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91Èȱ¬ World News will continue to deliver its core range of regular programmes including HARDtalk, Click, fast:track and The World Debate.

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Weekends will focus on delivering topical lifestyle and documentary programming, including the best from the 91Èȱ¬ and specially commissioned programmes to be broadcast exclusively on 91Èȱ¬ World News.

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A number of 91Èȱ¬ programme seasons are also planned over the course of the year and will be shown across TV, radio and online.

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These include Euro 2008 (June/July), Inside Olympics and My Games (August), and the US Elections (October/November).

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Recently, the 91Èȱ¬ World News brand replaced 91Èȱ¬ World. The new name stems from audience research revealing 91Èȱ¬ World News to be more effective in conveying the service's content, which over the years has moved towards its current focus of news and programming.

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The new branding, to support the new name, is still based around a globe but has a lighter, more contemporary feel.

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The names of cities from around the world revolve around the globe, reflecting the international scope of the channel's newsgathering, as well as the global scale of 91Èȱ¬ World News' audience.

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The look is sharp, unfussy, direct and fresh, and remains consistent with the branding across the UK and international 91Èȱ¬ News portfolio. This enables one common identity, ensuring clarity within an increasingly crowded and competitive news market-place.

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91Èȱ¬ World News is the 91Èȱ¬'s most watched international channel and the strong reputation, for which 91Èȱ¬ World News is renowned, continues to be high.

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In a recent Media Brand Values Survey, business professionals across three continents (Asia, Europe and USA) placed the channel ahead of its competitors Bloomberg, CNBC and CNN in terms of trust and influence.

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Notes to Editors

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Key 91Èȱ¬ World News figures:

• 78 million viewers (up 2 million from 06/07)
• 160 million full-time households (up 7% from 06/07) globally (282 million total households)
• 87 million full-time households (up 10% from 06/07) in Europe
• 1.6 million hotel-rooms (1.4 million in 06/07) globally
• 605,000 hotel-rooms in Europe (554,000 in 06/07)
• 34 mobile platforms (29 in 06/07)
• 42 airlines (up 36% from 06/07)
• 57 cruise ships (50 in 06/07)
• 29 million unique users (exc. UK) visit 91Èȱ¬.com every month (50% visit news pages)
• 8 million unique visitors and half a billion page impressions per month from Europe
• 20%+ growth in advertising sales revenue (6th year of 20%+ growth)
• 3rd year of double digit overall revenue growth
• 50% increase in European audiences over the past five years

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91Èȱ¬ World News, the 91Èȱ¬'s commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel, is owned and operated by 91Èȱ¬ World Ltd, a member of the 91Èȱ¬'s commercial group of companies.

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For further information on how to receive 91Èȱ¬ World News, download schedules or find out more about the channel, visit bbcworld.com

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For more details contact bbcworldnewspressoffice@bbc.co.uk

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