BBC World Service gets funding boost from government

• 18 minutes ago
• From the section Entertainment & Arts

Image caption BBC director general Tony Hall said he "warmly welcomed" the funding announcement

The government is to invest £85 million a year in enhancing BBC services around the world including in Russia, North Korea, the Middle East and Africa.

The money is to help "build the global reach of the World Service" to half a billion people and "increase access to news and information".
Director general Tony Hall said he "warmly welcomed" the announcement.
The government will provide £34m between 2016-17 and £85m a year from 2017-18 for digital, TV and radio.
The next review of this funding will be in 2020.

'Half a billion people target'

"This new funding is the single biggest increase in the World Service budget ever committed by any government," said Lord Hall.
"The millions announced today will help the BBC deliver on our commitment to uphold global democracy through accurate, impartial and independent news reporting.
"The World Service is one of the UK's most important cultural exports and one of our best sources of global influence. We can now further build on that."
He added: "The funding will also help speed us on to our target of reaching half a billion people globally."
The BBC currently reaches 308 million people worldwide, and its goal is to reach 500 million people by 2022.

'Build global reach'

Announcing the new funding in its document the National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review, the government said: "The BBC World Service reaches into some of the most remote places in the world, providing a link to the UK for individuals and societies who would otherwise not have this opportunity.
"We will invest £85 million each year by in the BBC's digital, TV and radio services around the world to build the global reach of the World Service and increase access to news and information."
The list of services to be expanded using the funding include enhanced TV services for Africa, new radio services for audiences in North Korea and radio and digital services for Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The BBC will also expand TV, radio and digital offerings in Somalia, India, Nigeria and Thailand.
It will also help boost digital and TV services for Russian speakers, both in Russia and the surrounding communities.