MBC MOOD – A new music destination across TV and Digital Streaming Platforms

2 June 2026

MBC MOOD – A new music destination across TV and Digital Streaming Platforms

MBC GROUP has announced the launch of MBC MOOD, its new music channel under the slogan “Aa’la Moodak”, serving as a fresh entertainment destination across television, digital platforms, and interactive social media channels.

The new channel is dedicated to showcasing the contemporary music scene while keeping pace with the ongoing evolution of the music industry, both in terms of artistic content and programming schedules, as well as digital broadcasting and technological innovations. MBC MOOD has been designed as a widely accessible Arab music entertainment platform that transcends geographical boundaries and traditional television broadcasting, extending into the world of digital platforms, social media, and online live-streaming services.

MBC MOOD started broadcasting on June 1 via the Arabsat satellite on frequency 11270, offering viewers a rich, around-the-clock music experience. The channel will feature Arabic music videos, the latest song releases, entertainment and arts programs, as well as leading live and recorded concerts and musical performances.

In addition, the channel will spotlight established Arab music stars while also supporting emerging young talent in the worlds of music and entertainment. At the same time, it aims to provide an interactive music platform that remains continuously connected with its viewers.

Commenting on the launch, Ziad Hamza, Group Director of Audio and Music at MBC GROUP said: “Today, we celebrate the launch of a new brand in the world of music and television and digital entertainment. MBC MOOD stands out through its rich and distinctive content, youthful identity, dynamic programming, and contemporary character that keeps pace with ongoing artistic and musical developments, while maintaining a strong connection to the region’s roots, culture, and the tastes of viewers and listeners of all ages.”

MBC MOOD Frequency on Arabsat: 11270

[Source: MBC press release]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN Monthly focus: Mount Fuji – The Icon that Could Explode

1 June 2026

NHK WORLD-JAPAN Monthly focus: Mount Fuji – The Icon that Could Explode

Mount Fuji – The Icon that Could Explode

Documentary 360 Mount Fuji Mega Eruption: What If? <Part1> June 13 Sat. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) <Part2> June 14 Sun. 0:00/6:10/12:10/18:00 (UTC) A Mount Fuji eruption could spew 490 million cubic meters of ash across a wide area, including Tokyo. VFX and dramatization demonstrate the danger, using scientific analysis.
DOSUKI Sumo Salon Shitatenage: Underarm Throw? June 7 Sun. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) Although it is rarely seen in regular bouts, usage of the underarm throw increases in high-stakes championship matches. We relive legendary moments and learn the secrets of users of the technique.
Japan’s Top Inventions Wednesdays 1:45 /6:45 /12:45 /17:45 /22:45 (UTC) Fridays 23:15 (UTC) Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products

ABC names new Director of News & Current Affairs

28 May 2026

ABC names new Director of News & Current Affairs

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has announced the appointment of Simon Robinson as Director of News & Current Affairs.

Simon is currently Executive Editor of Reuters, based in London. As the deputy at one of the world’s largest and most influential news organisations, Simon helps lead a global newsroom of approximately 2,600 journalists across more than 150 countries and has oversight of editorial output and digital publishing. 

Simon, who began his career in Australia, brings deep experience in reporting, investigations and large‑scale newsroom transformation. As a foreign correspondent for more than two decades, he reported from dozens of countries across four continents. As an editor, he has overseen award‑winning coverage on Iran, Russia, corporate taxation and migration, and played a key role in reimagining the modern global news wire.

Simon Robinson said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be named the ABC’s Director of News & Current Affairs. As a passionate believer in the power of fact-based, independent journalism, I believe the ABC plays a pivotal role in providing Australians with the reliable reporting we all need. I grew up listening to and watching ABC News. It seemed ever present in my childhood home. On a personal note, I am delighted this role brings me home, among family and friends.”

ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks commented: “Simon Robinson is one of the most experienced and respected newsroom leaders in global journalism. His track record leading large, complex news operations and his deep commitment to fact‑based reporting make him an outstanding choice to lead the ABC’s News division.”

Simon will start with the ABC in September.

BBC World Service to launch Hungarian and Romanian services

22 May 2026

BBC World Service to launch Hungarian and Romanian services

BBC World Service will launch content in Hungarian and Romanian, further building on its global commitment to reach more people with trusted news. The new pilot services, BBC News Magyaruland BBC News Romania, will deliver news and analysis via their websites – bbc.com/magyaruland bbc.com/romania – and their social-media channels.

The Hungarian-language website and social-media channels on Facebook and Instagram will go live from Tuesday 16 June. The Romanian-language website and social-media channels on Facebook and Instagram will be available from Tuesday 23 June. Both language offers will have YouTube and TikTok channels going live later.

To serve their respective audiences – across Hungary, Romania, Moldova and beyond – with independent and impartial coverage of key global and regional developments, the pilot services will cover a broad range of topics on which audiences in Central and Eastern Europe are seeking accurate information, and will be in easily discoverable, social-first formats. The content offers in Hungarian and Romanian will share a mix of stories covering global and European current affairs, health, science, technology, climate, and cost of living.

Both editorial teams will use AI translation technologies responsibly to bring audiences the BBC’s high-quality global journalism in Hungarian and Romanian. Journalists will curate the editorial offer and ensure there is human oversight of all AI-assisted content which, will be clearly labelled when used. Alongside this, the teams will produce original reports and analysis.

Interim Global Director, BBC News, Fiona Crack, says: “In an age of shrinking press freedom, rising disinformation, and global uncertainty, delivering independent and impartial news has never been more important. Launching BBC News Magyarul and BBC News Romania is a milestone built on innovation, like AI-assisted translation tools used responsibly, in order to reach new audiences with trusted news.”

BBC News Magyarul and BBC News Romania follow the successful launch of BBC News Polska. In less than a year since its inception, BBC News Polska has an average weekly reach of 537,000. In the most recent quarter, this grew substantially, with a weekly average of 808,000. The service’s reach among women is particularly high, making up nearly 60% of audiences on average since launch.

BBC News Magyarul and BBC News Romania Editorial Lead, Kateryna Khinkulova, adds: “I’m excited to be leading a team of highly skilled and experienced colleagues as we launch BBC journalism in two more languages, Hungarian and Romanian. Our offer is tailored to share high-quality journalism on the subjects that are of special relevance to the audiences we serve. With these two languages, we are eager to expand our reach in the region, especially to women and younger audiences, with the best of the BBC’s journalism.”

Expanding the BBC World Service’s global content offer to 45 languages including English, BBC News Magyarul and BBC News Romania will be available digitally around the world.

BBC News Magyarul and BBC News Romania add to the BBC’s presence in Hungary, Romania, and Moldova via BBC Studios. In Hungary, BBC Studios distributes the television channels BBC News and BBC Earth; in Romania – BBC News, BBC Earth and BBC First; in Moldova – BBC News and BBC First.

The BBC’s radio broadcasts – and later, websites – served Hungarian-speaking audiences between 1939 and 2005. The Romanian service operated between 1939 and 2008.

France 24 Launch on UK’s Freely platform

21 May 2026

France 24 Launch on UK’s Freely platform

Global Distribution Services announced the launch of France 24’s live English-language news service on Freely channel 306, further expanding the broadcaster’s distribution across the UK television landscape on 21 May 2026.

Already available across the UK on Freeview channel 255, France 24 already delivers a comprehensive multi-language news offering to UK audiences, with four live channel feeds in English, French, Spanish and Arabic. This latest launch on Freely extends France 24’s reach into the UK’s next-generation IP-delivered television ecosystem, further strengthening its presence across both traditional and connected TV environments.

Powered by Synapse TV’s cutting edge technology, the launch demonstrates how international broadcasters can seamlessly extend from Freeview into Freely through a fully managed, broadcast-grade distribution.

Freely, developed by Everyone TV, represents the next evolution of free television, combining live and on-demand streaming access via broadband and providing broadcasters with a powerful route to reach connected TV audiences.

Tanya Kronfli, CEO of Global Distribution Services, said:
“France 24 has already established a strong presence on Freeview, and expanding onto Freely is a natural next step as UK television continues its transition toward IP delivery. At GDS, our focus is on helping broadcasters maximise reach across both traditional and next-generation TV environments through commercially sustainable distribution models.”

Serge Schick, France24 Director of International Development and commercial Ressources said:“The UK remains an important market for France 24, and expanding onto Freely allows us to further strengthen our reach among connected audiences while building on our established Freeview presence.”

France 24’s existing Freeview deployment already demonstrates the commercial potential of hybrid television distribution, combining the scale of digital terrestrial television with the monetisation advantages of IP-delivered advertising. The launch on Freely represents the next phase of that strategy, extending accessibility to the UK’s growing connected TV audience.

Interview with Emmanuel Macron at Africa Forward Summit

11 May 2026

Interview with Emmanuel Macron at Africa Forward Summit

At the conclusion of the Africa Forward Summit, French President Emmanuel Macron will answer questions from journalists from France 24, RFI, and TV5Monde in Nairobi. The interview will be broadcast on Tuesday, May 12, at 9:00 PM Paris time.

Around thirty African heads of state and government, along with more than 3,000 delegates, are gathering in Nairobi on May 11 and 12 at the invitation of France and Kenya for the Africa Forward Summit.

With one year remaining in Emmanuel Macron’s second presidential term, what assessment can be made of his Africa policy — and what legacy will he leave to his successor?

Has he achieved the strategic repositioning of France in Africa that he called for? What new forms of cooperation have emerged? How have France’s relations with African states evolved? And what challenges lie ahead?

The President of the Republic will be interviewed by Stéphane Ballong (France 24), Mounia Daoudi (RFI), and Nidhya Paliakara (TV5Monde).

This exclusive interview, recorded on Tuesday, May 12, at the close of the Africa Forward Summit, will air at 9:00 PM Paris time on all four France 24 channels — in English, French, Arabic, and Spanish — as well as on RFI in French and on TV5Monde. The interview will also be adapted for RFI’s language services, including its four African-language broadcasts: Swahili, Hausa, Mandenkan, and Fulfulde.

[Source: France 24 press release]