BBC World News changes: Jon Sopel ditches Global and moves to North America for BBC; Yalda Hakim the new main anchor of Impact.

On-air changes at BBC World News (DStv 400 / StarSat 400): Jon Sopel is done with Global becoming the BBC's new North America editor, and Yalda Hakim is becoming the new face of the current affairs show Impact.

Yalda Hakim (left) who joined BBC World News in January 2013 as lead reporter on the Our World current affairs strand says she loves being out in the field "and I want to bring the Impact viewers with me".

"I am delighted that Yalda has agreed to become the main presenter of Impact," says James Stephenson, the head of news for BBC Word News in a statement.

"She has made an enormous contribution to the channel since she joined last year with her investigative reporting from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and elsewhere. She will continue to combine that work in the field with her new role".

Meanwhile Jon Sopel (right) is ditching Global to move to North America and will be reporting on North American stories for both the BBC's global and international output.

"This was the only opportunity that could have pulled me away from presenting on BBC World News, of which I have nothing but fond memories," says Jon Sopel.

"He will be a big loss to Global, which he has presented since its launch," says James Stephenson.

"I'd like to thank Jon for playing such an important part in the relaunch of BBC World News from our new studios, and I'm delighted that he will continue his association with us in his new role in Washington," says Richard Porter, the controller of English for the World Service Group in the statement.

"He and Yalda have been at the forefront of the changes which have been welcomed by viewers around the world. Yalda will be taking on a more prominent role as the main anchor of Impact, but she will still find time to continue her outstanding work as a film-maker and investigative journalist".

BREAKING. BBC World News launching a new studio next week with a new programming line-up and some new presenters.

BBC World News (TopTV 400 / DStv 400), the BBC's international 24-hour news channel, will unveil its dramatic new look next week when BBC World News will start broadcasting from its new studios in central London and shake-up its broadcasting schedule as well as introducing its new presenters.

The new BBC World News studio - Studio C as seen above and which viewers will see for the first time come Monday - will be much bigger; a massive circular and elliptical design with flowing lines, echoing the red and white BBC World News on-air logo.

ALSO READ: BBC World News to debut a brand-new title sequence, graphics, music and a new countdown when BBC World News starts broadcasting from its new studios on Monday.

"This relaunch marks the biggest change for BBC World News in at least a decade," says Jim Egan, the COO of BBC Global News Ltd. "It is part of a sustained commitment by the BBC to build on our long history of delivering high quality international news."

From 14:00 (South African time) on Monday 14 January, BBC World News will start to broadcast from the new state-of-the-art high definition (HD) studios in the BBC's new London headquarters, the redeveloped Broadcasting House.

BBC World News is the first English language TV channel to go live from the new building.

BBC World News will introduce the new BBC World News presenters Yalda Hakim as well as the new presenter Jon Sopel who is now going to be anchoring the brand-new weekday BBC World News international news programme entitled Global with Jon Sopel at 17:00 (South African time).

"BBC World News is kicking off the new year with an entirely new look and feel," says Richard Porter, controller of English for BBC Global News.

"From virtual reality capability to full HD production, new presenters and a programming line-up that goes from strength to strength, BBC World News audiences will have access to not only the best, most dynamic journalism in the world, but also the latest technology to enhance storytelling and to bring viewers inside the stories that shape our world," says Richard Porter.

Here is BBC World News's brand-new programming line-up which will kick in from next Monday 14 January with South African times:

Newsday (02:00, 03:00, 01:00)
HARDTalk with Stephen Sackur (06:30, 11:30, 16:30, 23:30)
GMT with George Alagiah (14:00)
Impact with Mishal Husain (15:00)
Global with Jon Sopel (17:00)
BBC Focus on Africa (19:30)
World News Today with Zeinab Badawi (21:00)
Business Edition with Tanya Beckett (23:00)
BBC World News America (01:30)

Yalda Hakim joining BBC World News as a presenter and correspondent for a new current affairs programme in 2013.

Yalda Hakim is joining BBC World News (DStv 400 / TopTV 400) as a presenter and correspondent for a new current affairs programme.

Yalda Hakim will launch a new international current affairs programme for BBC World News in 2013. BBC World News says in a statement the 24 hour British news channel is "investing heavily in new programmes and fascilities".

Yalda Hakim was born in Afghanistan and moved to Australia in the late 1980's after her father fled Kabul with his family when Russia invaded the country. As well as English, Yalda Hakim speaks five other languages including Farsi, Hindi, Pashto and Dari and is currently learning Mandarin.

"I'm delighted to be joining the dynamic team at BBC World News," says Yalda Hakim in the statement.

"Yalda is an exceptionally talented young journalist who has already achieved a great deal in her career and we're very excited to welcome her to the team.With her international background and language skills she'll provide a perfect fit for BBC World News as we continue to develop our services to global audiences during the course of 2013," says Richard Porter, the controller of English, global news at the BBC.