 |
Press Releases
"A defining year for 91Èȱ¬ World Service", says 2007/08 Annual Review
|
The 91Èȱ¬ World Service Annual Review for 2007/08, published today, provides information about its performance during a year of major news events..
Ìý
In his foreword, 91Èȱ¬ World Service Director Nigel Chapman said: "It was a broadcasting year that saw the launch of the first 91Èȱ¬ television news channel for a decade, improvements to our future media services, and the retention of our global radio listenership after the large increase of the previous 12 months.
Ìý
"In these ways, 2007/08 can be seen as a defining year; we demonstrated our ability to innovate while retaining the affection of audiences, who have been loyal to us for a large part of our history."
Ìý
The review highlights:
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ World Service's further developing its multimedia strategy, including the launch of 91Èȱ¬ Arabic television.
Ìý
Independent research which indicates that 91Èȱ¬ World Service's reputation for providing unbiased and objective news and information is stronger than that of any other international radio competitor in virtually all markets surveyed.
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ World Service's weekly radio audience estimate is 182Ìýmillion listeners a week across its 33 language services – down one million on last year's record 183 million total.
Ìý
Its English language service attracted 40 million weekly listeners – up two million on last year.
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ World Service weekly audiences in Indian and Nigerian radio markets each grew by around a million or more during the year.
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ World Service is now available on FM in 154 capital cities, up from 152 last year.
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ World Service's online sites attracted a record 259.6 million page impressions in March 2008, compared to 189.8 million in March 2007 Ìý an increase of 37 per cent.
Ìý
The quality of its output being recognised with a record nine awards in the 2008 Sony Radio Academy Awards and the top award in the radio category of the Webbys Ìý the Oscars of the internet.
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ Global News services – which include 91Èȱ¬ World Service, 91Èȱ¬ World News television and bbc.com/news (the 91Èȱ¬'s international-facing online news site)– maintaining its record global weekly audience of over 233 million during 2007/08.
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ World Service's Grant-in-aid funding for 2007/08 was £255 million.
Ìý
The Annual Review can be accessed at www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/us/annual_review/2007/.
Ìý
Notes to Editors
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ World Service is an international multimedia broadcaster delivering programmes and services in 33 languages.
Ìý
It uses multiple platforms to reach 182 million listeners globally, including shortwave, AM, FM, digital satellite and cable channels.
Ìý
It has around 2,000 partner radio stations which take 91Èȱ¬ content, and numerous partnerships supplying content to mobile phones and other wireless handheld devices.
Ìý
Its news sites include audio and video content and offer opportunities to join the global debate.
Ìý
For more information, visit bbcworldservice.com.
Ìý
To find out more about the 91Èȱ¬'s English language offer and subscribe to a free e-newsletter, visit bbcworldservice.com/schedules.
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ World Service Press Office
Ìý
|
Printable version