New look for BBC’s main international websites

A new look has been launched for the BBC’s main international websites - aimed at meeting the needs of online users outside the UK.

Myra Hunt, Head of New Media, BBC 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 BBC homepage (bbc.co.uk) offers this - along with links to international pages for radio, TV and weather.

"The changes follow a major BBC project launched in response to what our audiences want - and we hope it meets their needs.

“Keeping in touch with audiences world-wide and listening and acting on what they say is at the heart of what we do.”

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.

Users of the BBC’s international radio sites asked for audio on demand, opportunities to listen again to highlights and clearly displayed channel and programme information.

The new international radio portal aims to deliver this: offering the best from BBC World Service Radio, up-to-the-minute news bulletins and a live ’stream’ of output. Links to the main BBC channels are also provided.

The international TV page provides a guide to the BBC’s international commercial TV channels plus links to BBC TV in the UK.

The BBC Weather page provides summaries - with users able to pick their own city for a five day forecast.

The ’languages’ page displays the full range available from the BBC’s international radio and online services.

The BBC’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.

“As part of the BBC’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.”

The changes were launched after a BBC-wide ’usability’ project. It was endorsed by the BBC New Media Board and funded by BBC World Service.

Notes to Editors

BBC World Service is an international radio and online broadcaster delivering programmes and services in 43 languages.

It reaches 149 million listeners globally via SW, AM, FM, digital satellite and cable channels.

It has more than 2,000 partner radio stations which take BBC content, and numerous partnerships supplying content to mobile phones.

Its international online sites include audio and visual content and offer users opportunities to interact directly with world events.

They receive more than 330 million page impressions a month.

Contact Information

Caroline Lakeman

Press & PR Assistant

BBC World

Contact via E-mail