BBC World News (DStv 400 / TopTV 400) can now be seen in 330 million households worldwide after the 24 hour news channel has added 40 million households over the past year.
BBC World News will be moving into its new state-of-the-art new broadcasting studios in London later this year, and the news operations says in a just released statement that the move will improve "the look and feel of its international news output for audiences".
Colin Lawrence, BBC World News commercial director, called BBC World News' increased distribution "a breakthrough year" for the channel and "our audiences increasing hunger for global news they can trust in very turbulent times".
In America BBC World News has increased its channel distribution by over 100%, largely as a result of a new deal with the American cable provider Comcast. BBC World News grew 15% in Europe including France, where distribution rose by 119%, and Greece where distribution rose by 549%. In Asia including Indonesia BBC World News increased penetration by 35%.
"It has been a breakthrough year for the BBC's international channel and we are determined to build on it," says Colin Lawrence.
"It is no coincidence we've made this progress in what has been a year of huge international news and events.In turbulent times, international audiences increasingly turn to the BBC and want news that they can trust. It reflects growing evidence that audiences may be growing tired of more slanted broadcast news and value our intelligent and un-spun global perspective."
"We expect the hunger for fair and accurate international news to grow. Alongside our move to state-of-the-art new studios in London, this should provide another lift in our performance."
