BBC World Service to provide people of Syria with enhanced services

17 December 2024

BBC World Service to provide people of Syria with enhanced services

Following the rapid developments in Syria, the BBC World Service will offer enhanced services to audiences across the country.

Broadcast on medium wave and FM, an enhanced audio service will provide the people of Syria and surrounding countries with a trusted source of independent news when audiences need it the most, particularly as local media and digital services are disrupted.

Broadcasting news and information in Arabic, the service will air BBC News Arabic bulletins throughout the day including the BBC News Arabic’s World at One and BBC News Arabic’s Newsnight. It will also feature packages from the Gaza Lifeline service and contributions from correspondents such as Feras Kilani as well as the BBC’s wealth of reporters based across the region.

There will also be an English offer on the network, curated from World Service English, for those Syrians who speak the language.

Jonathan Munro, Global Director, BBC News (pictured), says: “As we have all been watching, listening to and reading about the dramatic changes that have swept through Syria, the Syrian population have been left without essential access to reliable and independent news about the events taking place. The BBC World Service’s enhanced services will bring them the latest breaking news and analysis from Syria, the Middle East and the rest of the world.”

The Syrian radio network will go out on medium wave, 720kHz and 639kHz, and on 93.0 FM.

The BBC World Service has a history of responding to emergency situations globally. Most recently, in Nov 2024, we launched an emergency radio service for Gaza – which remains on air – and in May 2023 during the conflict in Sudan, BBC News Arabic began an emergency radio service. In February 2022, the BBC News Ukraine service extended TV bulletins following the invasion of the country.

BBC News has responded to the events in Syria with special programming across the week. World Service English amended their schedules on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December in response to the fast-developing story, there have been additional episodes of the BBC Global News podcast and correspondents including Barbara Plett-Usher, Lyse Doucet and BBC News Arabic’s Feras Kilani, have brought audiences breaking news across BBC outlets.

[Source: BBC press release]

MBC STUDIOS and Telfaz11 Studios form strategic partnership

9 December 2024

MBC STUDIOS and Telfaz11 Studios form strategic partnership

MBC STUDIOS, the production arm of MBC GROUP and Telfaz11 Studios, a leading creative media studio, have announced a landmark partnership to co-develop and co-produce multiple projects that celebrate the depth and diversity of Saudi storytelling. This collaboration combines Telfaz11 Studios’ innovative creative storytelling and box office success with MBC STUDIOS’ strong regional reach and unparalleled production capabilities, marking a pivotal moment for the Kingdom’s entertainment industry.

The partnership includes multiple projects, including one based on a compelling true story, highlighting the shared mission of both companies to create meaningful content that captures the richness of Saudi culture and resonates deeply with audiences across the region. Together, they aim to nurture Saudi talent, drive creativity, and contribute to the growth of the region’s film and television industries.

MBC STUDIOS brings decades of expertise and an extensive regional footprint to the partnership, providing the resources and platforms to amplify Saudi stories across the Arab world and beyond. This collaboration leverages MBC STUDIOS’ ability to connect audiences to high-quality content while strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a leader in the entertainment landscape.

Telfaz11 Studios, with its global success and box office records, has been instrumental in shaping Saudi cinema. The action-comedy “Sattar” became the highest-grossing Saudi film of all time. Similarly, the thriller “Mandoob” not only won critical acclaim as an award-winning film but also became the biggest Arabic-language film at the Saudi box office in 2024, surpassing international releases and setting a new benchmark for local productions. These successes underscore Telfaz11 Studios’ dedication to crafting stories that deeply resonate with audiences while contributing to the growing stature of Saudi cinema.

Wael Abu Mansour, Head of Telfaz11 Studios, stated: “This partnership with MBC Studios builds on the foundation we’ve established at Telfaz11 Studios with our slate of nine feature films, which span diverse genres and cater to a wide range of audiences. Our films, such as the record-breaking Sattar and the award-winning Mandoob, have not only achieved remarkable box office success but also demonstrated the power of authentic Saudi stories to captivate and connect. Collaborating with MBC Studios allows us to expand on this success, combining our creative vision with their expertise to deliver even more compelling content. Together, we aim to elevate Saudi storytelling and create a dynamic slate of films and series that entertain, inspire, and resonate with audiences across the region.”

Hana Al Omair, Saudi director and Creative Director at MBC STUDIOS, commented: “It is now more important than ever to tell our own stories. As creatives, we are constantly seeking fresh, diverse, and thought-provoking narratives that audiences across the GCC, the region, and the rest of the world can relate to or find engaging. By joining forces with the brilliant Telfaz11 Studios team, we are not only tapping into a treasure trove of authentic Saudi stories but also setting yet another new benchmark for excellence in regional content creation. I look forward to us exploring bold ideas, nurturing emerging talent, and crafting productions that speak to the heart of Saudi culture, captivating and inspiring viewers far beyond the Kingdom’s borders.”

This collaboration aligns with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, fostering creativity, empowering local talent, and contributing to the Kingdom’s growth as a global cultural and entertainment hub. Through this partnership, MBC STUDIOS and Telfaz11 Studios are laying the groundwork for a new chapter in Saudi storytelling.

MBC GROUP is the largest and leading media organisation in the Middle East and North Africa.

[Source: MBC press release]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN focus for December: Taking on the Mantle of Peace Ambassador

2 December 2024

NHK WORLD-JAPAN focus for December: Taking on the Mantle of Peace Ambassador

Taking on the Mantle of Peace Ambassador

Peace Messengers: No action too small Transmission dates to be announced Some 500 Japanese high school students have called for nuclear-arms abolition as peace ambassadors over the past 25 years. We meet some of these young people striving for peace.
Chasing the Chinese Dream in Africa Dec 14 Sat. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) As economic growth in China stagnates, young people travel to Africa pursuing new opportunities. They seek futures in Nigeria, which boasts the highest population and GDP on the continent.
Tokyo Metro Dec 13 Fri. 2:30/7:30/13:30/19:30 (UTC) A vast subway network beneath the streets of the metropolis: the Tokyo Metro. In the first-ever report from its HQ, we see how staff and drivers collaborate to achieve safety and punctuality.
Journeys in Japan Tuesdays 0:30/5:30/10:30/15:30/21:30 (UTC) Explore a different side of Japan. Meet the locals and discover traditions and cultures not usually found in guidebooks!

NHK WORLD-Japan programme focus for November: Hokkaido

1 November 2024

NHK WORLD-Japan programme focus for November: Hokkaido

Hokkaido: Finding warmth in Japan’s northern wonderland

Hit the Road: Hokkaido Nov 13 Wed. 1:30/6:30/12:30/17:30/22:30 (UTC) Take a scenic drive through Eastern Hokkaido and discover two milks: creamy cow’s milk from the land and fresh oysters, known as “milk of the sea.”
Remote Onsen: Hokkaido in Summer Nov 2 Sat. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) Hokkaido summers are short, but you can soak in hot springs hidden in the wild, marvel at the views from onsen in a UNESCO World Heritage Site and visit an area with an abundant variety of waters.
Journeys in Japan – Sapporo: Ski Mountaineering Tradition Nov 12 Tue. 0:30/5:30/10:30/15:30/21:30 (UTC) In Hokkaido Prefecture, the sport of ski mountaineering has a long history. Making your way up into the mountains is possible when you have skis. Climbing through the deep snow requires skill, experience and thorough preparation. But the ascent is fun and heading down is even more so. In Japan, the first place where ski mountaineering began was the Academic Alpine Club of Hokkaido, which is part of Hokkaido University. The students here have been skiing for over 100 years. Cveto Podlogar is a licensed international mountain guide from Slovenia. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Cveto heads out into the mountains with the Alpine Club for a training session, to get a taste of their ski mountaineering tradition.

BBC World Service English announces new rebroadcasting partnership in The Bahamas

24 October 2024

BBC World Service English announces new rebroadcasting partnership in The Bahamas

Guardian Media Group will rebroadcast BBC World Service English radio in The Bahamas

BBC World Service English has partnered with the Guardian Media Group to bring our factual programming, impartial news reports and analysis to audiences in The Bahamas.

Guardian Media Group is the leading local multimedia group in The Bahamas.

BBC World Service English radio will be received digitally, and broadcast live on Guardian Radio FM 96.9 when not in local programming.

Fred Durman, BBC’s Head of Business Development for the Americas and Europe, says: “The BBC is delighted to strengthen its presence in The Bahamas through this dynamic rebroadcasting partnership with Guardian Media Group. This collaboration underscores our dedication to informing, educating, and entertaining audiences worldwide.

“By delivering trusted news, insightful storytelling, and a rich array of diverse programming, we aim to foster deeper connections and promote shared understanding across communities. This initiative not only extends our global reach but also ensures that Bahamian residents have access to high-quality journalism and content that reflects a variety of voices and perspectives from around the world.”

Dwight Strachan, Guardian Radio Station Manager, says: “Guardian Radio – The Bahamas’ number one source for talk and radio news – is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with the legendary BBC World Service. We will offer BBC programming to our listeners when we’ve completed our regular programming overnight and on Sunday.

“This will further demonstrate to our listeners our commitment to providing credible news from all over the globe, and from one of the world’s most trusted news sources. Without a doubt, Guardian Radio with the BBC World Service will make for round-the-clock-radio – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”.

[Source: BBC press release]