BBC.com launches India edition

BBC.com, the international news website, has unveiled three new editions for, including Asia, India and Australia/New Zealand.  All three sites will be tailored to provide more in-depth analysis, breaking news and business bulletins for each of the markets as well as a host of specially commissioned features and reports. These editions will be supported by BBC.com’s commercial launch partners Finnair, UPS and Prudential Corporation Asia.

Chris Davies, acting managing director, BBC.com, said, “At present BBC.com is the leading international news website in Asia-Pacific with 11.1 million unique users per month.  These editions are the response to overwhelming audience feedback and testing and will ensure even greater engagement from new and existing users.” 

James Montgomery, controller of digital, BBC Global News, added, “In an unstable world and a rapidly developing media environment, these three new editions across Asia reflect the BBC’s commitment to accurate, high-quality and independent news across digital platforms. BBC.com commands levels of trust and relevance unmatched among international news providers – based on expert journalistic analysis around the globe and rooted in a deep understanding of our audiences.  The launch of these dedicated editions across Asia Pacific will strengthen that offer still further.”

The news websites will also feature five specially-commissioned reports created from a mix of video, text and images. The commissioned reports will come under categories such as 'India Direct', 'Start-up Stories' on China, 'China's Global Reach', 'Generation Asia' and 'The New Middle Class'.

In support of the increased localisation of the sites, BBC.com has recently built a new team in Asia-Pacific, focused on providing more locally-curated content. The company informed in a press statement that BBC.com’s investment in Asia is mirrored in the TV space with BBC World News giving continued editorial focus on the region. In 2011 this has included the launch of new weekday programme Newsday, as well as a season of programming entitled The Power of Asia, which examines the economic growth of Asia.