Email to the Chairman of the Committee
from BBC World Service
ARABIC TV 24 HR
I am writing to let you know, as someone who
has strongly supported the channel, that, from today, BBC Arabic
television will be extended to 24 hours a day. As you know, additional
funding for this was allocated to BBC World Service in the Government's
CSR 2007.
The launch of round-the-clock TV broadcasting
means BBC Arabic becomes a truly 24/7 multimedia service bringing
Arabic-speaking audiences, from across the world, news and analysis
via radio, online, television and mobile. I am particularly pleased
that this has been achieved before the US Presidential Inauguration,
enabling viewers in the Arab world to watch the proceedings in
their entirety.
The BBC Arabic TV operation has gone from strength
to strength since its launch as a 12-hours-a-day operation in
March 2008, and our 24/7 television service will offer a non-stop
news service for Arabic-speakers whenever, and wherever, they
want it. The team has been reinforced with five new presenters
who will, no doubt, enrich the programming.
The channel continues to expand its global distribution
network beyond the North Africa and Middle East region. Following
a recent agreement with a new partner, BBC Arabic television is
broadcast for one hour every day in the USA on the ART (Arab Radio
& Television) America Channel. ART America will also join
BBC Arabic television from 16.00 GMT on 20 January for six hours
of special coverage of the Inauguration of President Barack Obama.
Initial audience research suggests that BBC
Arabic television has been welcomed in the region and has made
a substantial impact on the TV news market—further research
will be carried out following the 24 hour launch.
At the same time, the website, bbcarabic.com,
continues to grow its impact, especially via its mobile WAP site.
In the last three weeks, it has received more than five times
as much weekly traffic as during an average week in 2008. This
follows new linking agreements with mobile phone operators in
the region. In another recent development, BBC Arabic is now offering
One Minute video news bulletins in Saudi Arabia.
Thank you once again for adding your weight
to the campaign to extend BBC Arabic television. I have written
to you separately about the launch of BBC Persian television and
the briefing event on the new channel in Parliament on Wednesday
4 February from 5.30-7.45pm in the IPU and CPA rooms. I very much
hope you can attend it so that I can thank you personally for
your support in launching these two important channels for Arabic
and Persian speakers.
Nigel Chapman
29 January 2009
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