BBC Indonesia re-launches as multimedia broadcaster

BBC World Service has re-launched its Indonesian service as a multimedia operation. The redesigned website, bbcindonesia.com, now becomes the key method for delivery of the BBC Indonesia output.

The move to multimedia broadcasting matches the changes that have taken place on the Indonesian media market.

Head of BBC Indonesia, Menuk Suwondo, comments: "The re-launch of our service as a multimedia broadcaster, BBC Indonesia, is a step forward from the traditional radio broadcaster, BBC Siaran Indonesia (BBC Indonesian Broadcast), as we have been known in the region for decades.

"Audiences expect to get news whenever they want it and via media of their choice. More and more people, especially younger generation, get their news from the internet and mobile phones.

“BBC Indonesia now reaches these audiences, making our multimedia content available online and via mobile phones, in addition to FM broadcasts through partner stations across Indonesia.”

BBC Indonesia’s move to multiplatform broadcasting is led by the launch of its new-look website, bbcindonesia.com, which now offers a range of improved functions and features.

With its clean design and enhanced interactivity, the website offers Indonesian-speaking audiences an improved user-experience as they navigate the BBC’s latest news and analysis.

The revamped bbcindonesia.com delivers a wider range of content, from political and business news and in-depth reports to sport news, features and magazine-format content, in text, audio and video.

By accessing bbcindonesia.com, audiences can get the multimedia content on their mobile phones.

Menuk Suwondo reiterates the BBC’s willingness to further reinforce cooperation with partner broadcast media in Indonesia: "We will continue to work closely with our media partners in Indonesia, particularly FM partner stations across the country.

“Some of them already function as multimedia broadcasters, and our becoming a multimedia operation means we can further strengthen our cooperation as we provide Indonesian audiences with independent and balanced news.”

To showcase the innovation, and celebrate partnership with FM stations across Indonesia, the Get Inspired series from tomorrow ( Tuesday 19 January 2010) focuses on success, fulfilment and social responsibility.

Produced in cooperation with the BBC’s rebroadcasting partners across Indonesia, it features young high-achievers who have gained success and also benefited their communities – in East Java, Kalimantan and Padang.

Broadcast by BBC Indonesia radio and online on bbcindonesia.com, the series will be rebroadcast by partner networks.

The launch of the new multimedia service means readjustment of the BBC’s services for Indonesia. It will affect the radio schedules, as resources are directed on to other platforms.

From Monday 18 January, the radio broadcast at 20.00 WIB (Western Indonesian Time) will be reduced from 30 minutes to five minutes. While there is no change in the duration of the morning broadcasts at 05.00, and evening broadcasts at 18.00 WIB, there will be no radio broadcasts on Saturdays and Sundays.
Notes to Editors

BBC World Service is an international multimedia broadcaster delivering 32 language and regional services.

It uses multiple platforms to reach its weekly audience of 188 million globally, including shortwave, AM, FM, digital satellite and cable channels.

Its news sites, which received 4.7 million weekly visitors in September 2009, include audio and video content and offer opportunities to join the global debate.

It has around 2,000 partner radio stations which take BBC content, and numerous partnerships supplying content to mobile phones and other wireless handheld devices.

For more information, visit bbcworldservice.com. For a weekly alert about BBC World Service programmes, sign up for the BBC World Agenda e-guide at bbcworldservice.com/eguide.

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