About - BBC World Service

Changes to Satellite Distribution in Europe and the Middle East

During the next year or so World Service programme distribution is changing position on some satellites.

The first change, taking place during August, will affect the audience that listen and watch World Service programmes from the Hotbird satellite. The affected services are Arabic TV, Arabic Radio and two of the World Service English radio streams to Europe and the Middle East.

The New Hotbird frequency starts on the 5 August 2014 and the existing Hotbird frequency will cease on 5 September. Tuning details are shown below.

Satellite Eutelsat Hotbird 13D

Satellite Orbital Position 13° East

Transponder Number 130

Space Segment Downlink Centre Frequency 11.117GHz

Space Segment Downlink Polarisation Vertical

Forward Error Correction (FEC) 3/4

Symbol rate 27.5Msymbol/s

 

BBC Arabic TV SID 14616

BBC Arabic Radio SID 14617

BBC English (Europe) SID 14618

BBC English (Middle East) SID 14619

About BBC World Service

BBC World Service is an international news service available on radio, television and online. It provides impartial news reports and analysis in English and 27 other languages.

BBC World Service aims to inspire and illuminate the lives of its audience by bringing the world together, making connections and helping listeners to make sense of the world.

Our programmes - which range from news, education and entertainment - have a reputation for being authoritative, impartial and accurate.

Please tell us what you think of our programmes by emailing worldservice.letters@bbc.co.uk

How BBC World Service is Funded

BBC World Service has been funded by the Licence Fee since 1 April, 2014.

This was agreed as part of the UK government's Spending Review in October 2010. Previously, the BBC World Service was funded by a Grant-in-Aid from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

How BBC World Service is Run

BBC World Service is part of BBC World Service Group headed by Peter Horrocks.

The BBC World Service Group includes the BBC World Service, BBC Global News Ltd (which comprises the BBC World News Television Channel and BBC.com/news), BBC Monitoring and BBC Media Action (the BBC's international development charity).

Royal Charter

The BBC - including BBC World Service - is established under a Royal Charter. The current Charter came into force in 2007 and runs until the end of 2016. It explicitly recognises the BBC's editorial independence and sets out its public purposes.

BBC Trust

Like the rest of the BBC, BBC World Service is accountable to the BBC Trust, appointed under the Royal Charter to act as trustees for the public interest and oversee all BBC activities.

Annual Report

You can find our Annual Report for 2013 - 2014 here.

Our Partners

The BBC World Service is available through a range of radio, TV and online outlets. These relationships enable the BBC to offer a selection of its content to a wider audience. Click here to find partners that carry BBC World Service content in English.

The BBC World Service seeks to work with trusted and high quality providers across the world. For further information on becoming a BBC affiliate please contact us.

FAQ - World Service

Have a query about BBC World Service?

Look through our frequently asked questions below to find out more about the BBC's international radio service.

How can I listen online and via mobile devices?

BBC World Service is always available to listen to online, via iPlayer Radio on your computer and mobile phone - simply visit www.bbcworldservice.com on your phone's internet browser. Please use the iPlayer Radio help pages to find out more or if you are having any problems listening.

In addition, we have launched a BBC iPlayer Radio app, available on iPhone, iPod Touch and Android phones. UK audiences can search the Apple store to download the app for free. The BBC iPlayer Radio is not available to download outside the UK.

How can I find out how to listen to BBC World Service in my area?

For BBC World Service programmes in English, find AM, FM, short wave, satellite, cable and digital radio services in your area by checking our programme guide. You can also discover news and analysis in 27 other languages.

Where can I find a schedule for BBC World Service programmes?

Our online schedule is available here.

To find the schedule for short-wave radio broadcasts, FM and MW relays, satellite and cable services for your area, please check out our programme guide.

If you want to listen live online now click here, or you can explore the online schedule.

You can also download and print a schedule for your world region below (from October 2013 till April 2014).

United Kingdom

Europe

Americas

West and Central Africa

East and Southern Africa

Middle East and countries of the FSU

Australasia

East Asia

South Asia

How can I contact a programme or send in feedback?

You can contact us in a number of ways.

You can contact us by email.

You can tell us what you think of BBC World Service programmes by getting in touch with the radio show Over To You.

You can join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

You can also help shape the future of international BBC programmes by joining the BBC Global Minds online discussion forum.

How does BBC World Service commission radio programmes?

Find out how BBC World Service commissions radio programmes here.

You can also help shape the future of the BBC's international radio and TV programmes by joining the online discussion forum BBC Global Minds.

How can I get a job with BBC World Service?

We welcome talent from around the world, please look at the BBC Careers website to search for vacancies.

Can I get a transcript of a BBC World Service programme?

Unfortunately, BBC World Service cannot supply transcripts or recorded copies of programmes. However, you can hear many of our programmes again online - or you can download podcasts as mp3 files for free.

Where can I find the BBC's editorial guidelines?

You can find the BBC's editorial guidelines here.

Contact - BBC World Service

Contact BBC World Service

If you would like to make a complaint about any BBC World Service output, please fill in this form.

For general comments, you can contact us by email.

You'll find answers to many of your questions about BBC World Service on our FAQs page.

If you cannot find the answer to your question, you can contact us in a number of ways.

You can tell us what you think of BBC World Service programmes by getting in touch with the radio show Over To You.

You can join us on Facebook or Twitter.

You can also help shape the future of international BBC programmes by joining the BBC Global Minds online discussion forum.

Or you could write to us at:

BBC World Service,

Audience Relations Team,

1st Floor Brock House,

19 Langham Street,

London

W1A 1AA

Didn't see your answer here?

We hope you found the answer to your question about BBC World Service. If not, please contact us by email.