Category: bbc.co.uk; World Service
Date: 09.12.2005
Printable version
A new look has been launched for the 91Èȱ¬'s main international websites - aimed at meeting the needs of online users outside the UK.
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Myra Hunt, Head of New Media, 91Èȱ¬ World Service, said:
"People using our sites from overseas tell us they want easy access to news, sport and feature pages and our new international version of the 91Èȱ¬ homepage (bbc.co.uk) offers this - along with links to international pages for radio, TV and weather.
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"The changes follow a major 91Èȱ¬ project launched in response to what our audiences want - and we hope it meets their needs.
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"Keeping in touch with audiences world-wide and listening and acting on what they say is at the heart of what we do."
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Logging in from outside the UK will automatically display the new international offer - but switching to a UK version (and back again) can be done at the click of a button near the top of the page.
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Users of the 91Èȱ¬'s international radio sites asked for audio on demand, opportunities to listen again to highlights and clearly displayed channel and programme information.
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The new international radio portal aims to deliver this: offering the best from 91Èȱ¬ World Service Radio, up-to-the-minute news bulletins and a live 'stream' of output. Links to the main 91Èȱ¬ channels are also provided.
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The international TV page provides a guide to the 91Èȱ¬'s international commercial TV channels plus links to 91Èȱ¬ TV in the UK.
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The 91Èȱ¬ Weather page provides summaries - with users able to pick their own city for a five day forecast.
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The 'languages' page displays the full range available from the 91Èȱ¬'s international radio and online services.
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The 91Èȱ¬'s Controller, Internet, Tony Ageh, said: "As the Internet matures, it has become possible to differentiate between UK visitors to bbc.co.uk and those from elsewhere.
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"As part of the 91Èȱ¬'s commitment to its global reputation, the new international home-page offers overseas visitors the same user-experience enjoyed by our UK audiences - but with the added benefit of more stories and links aimed exclusively at the international community."
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The changes were launched after a 91Èȱ¬-wide 'usability' project. It was endorsed by the 91Èȱ¬ New Media Board and funded by 91Èȱ¬ World Service.
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Notes to Editors
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91Èȱ¬ World Service is an international radio and online broadcaster delivering programmes and services in 43 languages.
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It reaches 149 million listeners globally via SW, AM, FM, digital satellite and cable channels.
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It has more than 2,000 partner radio stations which take 91Èȱ¬ content, and numerous partnerships supplying content to mobile phones.
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Its international online sites include audio and visual content and offer users opportunities to interact directly with world events.
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They receive more than 330 million page impressions a month.
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DW
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