BBC World News is launching six news programmes which are specifically tailored to cater to regional audiences. The channel has also announced a new weekend programme line-up, set to air from 1 February.
The new weekday shows include GMT with George Alagiah, which will discuss why the top stories matter to Asia Pacific viewers. Impact Asia with Mishal Husain will be a mixture of breaking news, debate and analysis using the BBC’s range of correspondents based in Asia Pacific regions and across the world.
The Hub with Nik Gowing will provide headlines, and detailed analysis of the global news agenda. World News Today with Zeinab Badawi will focus on news in Europe, as well as the Middle East and Africa. In addition to news, the show will cover arts and culture, giving a preview into the best galleries and exhibitions. Business Edition with Tanya Beckett will examine the inner workings of business, translate complex financial stories to give viewers a clearer understanding of the rapidly changing global economy.
The programmes will be supported by new on-air graphic packages and will broadcast from BBC World News’ redesigned studio based in London. Viewers can interact with the presenters via a dedicated Facebook page, programme pages on bbc.com/news, on Twitter, via the BBC’s Global Minds community, and other social media platforms.
A new programme aimed at a global audience, to be fronted by Lyse Doucet, is also in development and will join the line-up in February. The aim of this programme will be to provide a weekly forum for untold stories.
BBC World News’ new weekend schedule begins on Friday evenings with a mixture of topical documentary, current affairs, lifestyle and travel programmes. From 5 February, Weekend World, a new weekly interactive show, presented by Paddy O’Connell, will review the range of weekend programmes ahead.
Highlights airing in the February weekend schedule include; This World: Gypsy Child Thieves (four part weekly series from 20 February), Alvin Hall’s Guide to Good Business (eight part weekly series from 13 February), Saudi Goes to Market (two part weekly series from 6 February) plus episodes of premier discussion forums The World Debate and Doha Debate. Flagship travel programme fast:track, technology show Click, and Talking Movies will also broadcast during the weekend.
Also, bite-size four minute editions of these flagship programmes will air during the week.
Richard Porter, editorial director, BBC World News said, “The channel changes represent the next stage of our editorial development at BBC World News. We’re reacting to what our audiences have requested from us – a real desire for news programmes relevant to their region which bring the strengths of the presenter to the fore. We also understand that by realigning news for weekdays and topical programmes at the weekends, we can provide viewers with accessible and wide-ranging content.”
