BBC launches emergency lifeline radio programme for Iran

4 February 2026

BBC launches emergency lifeline radio programme for Iran

BBC World Service has launched a temporary emergency lifeline radio programme for Iran in response to the ongoing turmoil in the country, and the unprecedented crackdown on protests.

To complement the existing BBC News Persian video and digital services, the radio programme will be available on mediumwave and shortwave across Iran to increase the population’s access to news and information. To broaden its offer and availability of programming, the BBC World Service has also made some of its TV content available on mediumwave radio.

Since 8 January, the Iranian people have been subject to an internet blackout. Prior to this, BBC News Persian’s digital services saw their biggest reach in a year with their platforms reaching more than 33 million people.

The short-term programme will cover the latest news and developments in Iran and will place events inside the country within their wider regional and international context. It will feature voices from inside Iran alongside clear, informed analysis of the most recent political, social, and economic developments shaping the situation in the country.

The programme will air daily for 30 minutes across medium and shortwave frequencies from 16:30 GMT / 20:00 Iran Standard Time. The temporary programme has been granted resource from existing funds until the end of March 2026.

Fiona Crack, Interim Global Director, BBC News, says: “A key role of the BBC World Service is to step up in times of crisis to provide news and information for our audiences in greatest need. BBC News Persian reaches one in four adults in Iran, which is an astonishing feat considering their reporting is banned in the country.

“The team have been essential in telling the urgent story of the Iranian people to audiences around the world, and our new radio programme will give the Iranian people more ways to access independent and impartial news.”

Tarik Kafala, Interim Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa, says: “BBC News Persian have worked tirelessly to deliver journalism throughout this period of unrest as the demand for trusted news has soared in Iran. The teams have supplied extended TV hours in Iran and an increased offer on digital platforms for the Iranian people. They have reported for UK audiences across bulletins, live pages and on forensic journalism with BBC Verify.”

The BBC World Service has a history of launching emergency services in times of crisis. In April 2025, BBC News Burmese started providing audio and video content on a satellite channel in the aftermath of Myanmar earthquake.

In April 2024, following the fall of the Assad regime, the BBC World Service set up an enhanced audio channel on FM and mediumwave for the people of Syria. This follows the emergency radio service for Gaza in November 2024 and for Sudan in May 2023 amid conflict.

In February 2022, the BBC News Ukraine service extended TV bulletins following the invasion of the country.

Where to find the programme –

The live programme will be available at 16:30 GMT (20:00 Iran Time) on 702kHz medium wave and 9465kHz short wave

The programme will be repeated at 18:00 GMT (21:30 Iran time) on 702kHz mediumwave and 5395kHz shortwave

A visualised version of the programme will be broadcast on BBC Persian TV at 18:00 GMT (21:30 Iran time)

BritAsia TV launches on Freeview UK via Channelbox

3 February 2026

BritAsia TV launches on Freeview UK via Channelbox

BritAsia TV, the home of British Asian culture, has launched on the streaming TV service Channelbox, available on Freeview channel 271.

BritAsia TV is a prominent British media network dedicated to promoting British Asian culture, music, entertainment, lifestyle and community programming. The channel provides a leading platform for British Asian artists, musicians, actors and content creators to showcase their talents to a wide audience. Since its inception, BritAsia TV has become known for its diverse lineup of music videos, talk shows, documentaries, news, live events and cultural programming.

Channelbox is a free-to-air, multi-channel OTT platform available on connected Freeview channel 271 and through Channelbox-enabled television sets connected to both an aerial and the internet. The platform offers a unique interface that delivers each channel as the equivalent of a dedicated Freeview service and supports FAST channel monetisation across more than 70 channels, bringing a broad range of content to UK audiences.

BritAsia TV’s programming spans the latest South Asian and UK music trends, exclusive interviews with rising talent and established stars, news, cultural events, and community features. The channel’s digital presence includes strong engagement through its website and social media, where it maintains a large and active audience.

Tanya Kronfli, Head of Business Development at Channelbox, commented:
“Channelbox is committed to celebrating diversity in genre, culture and language. We are delighted to welcome BritAsia TV, the home of British Asian culture, to our platform. Their vibrant mix of music, entertainment and community programming enhances our Freeview offering and strengthens our connection with multicultural audiences across the UK.”

BritAsia TV on Channelbox via Freeview UK is now available for viewers across the country to enjoy.

ABC signs MoUs in Malaysia, Mongolia and Timor-Leste

2 February 2026

ABC signs MoUs in Malaysia, Mongolia and Timor-Leste

ABC International has continued to strengthen its regional partnerships in 2026, signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with broadcasters and media organisations in Malaysia, Mongolia and Timor-Leste.

Under the successful program which began in 2022, ABC International has signed 23 similar agreements with leading media organisations in Asia and the Pacific which focus on opportunities to share content, exchange expertise and knowledge, and undertake technical training and media development initiatives.

In the latest round of agreements, ABC International formalised tailored agreements with Timor-Leste’s public service news agency Tatoli, Mongolian National Broadcaster (MNB) and Malaysian state broadcaster Sarawak Media Group (SMG).

The MoUs with MNB and SMG facilitate opportunities for content sharing of news and current affairs, factual, sports and lifestyle programming, in addition to the exchange of technical advice and information, while the Tatoli agreement also includes provisions for ongoing collaboration with ABC International’s media development arm, ABC International Development, which has worked closely with Tatoli in recent years in launching an English-language news service and other capacity building initiatives.

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said, “ABC International has worked tirelessly over the past four years to fortify our relationships with like-minded, regional partners and formalise tailored agreements with them. Each MoU establishes a framework for collaboration across areas such as content and information sharing, and media capacity building, and in doing so, brings new opportunities for meaningful engagement.

“We are proud to announce these latest agreements with Tatoli, MNB and SMG, and look forward to the emerging possibilities for closer collaboration and how we can best work together to support and serve our respective audiences through these partnerships.”

The ABC has also recently renewed its partnership with Canadian national broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada, signing an updated MoU to support content and distribution-related initiatives, including the development of a new children’s co-production It’s Andrew! set to premiere in Australia in 2026.

France Médias Monde achieved record-breaking 2025 across digital platforms

1 February 2026

France Médias Monde achieved record-breaking 2025 across digital platforms

In 2025, France Médias Monde achieved new all-time highs across its digital platforms, recording nearly 5 billion video views and launches (+27% vs. 2024) and 480 million visits across its websites and mobile applications. As a result, 94 million people (up from 75 million in 2024) were in weekly contact with the Group’s media outlets via digital platforms.

On social media, France Médias Monde’s channels now bring together more than 127 million followers (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and X), with robust growth on Instagram (+110%) and a sharp rise on TikTok, where the community has quadrupled in one year.

In an unstable international context marked by the growing spread of manipulated information, these results reflect audiences’ trust in the professional and independent journalism produced by RFI, France 24, Monte Carlo Doualiya, as well as by the Group’s ‘pure-player’ digital outlets InfoMigrants, ENTR, and ZOA.

Video in high demand

France 24 recorded last year 2.6 billion video launches (+12%), confirming its position as the leading French media outlet on YouTube, with nearly 110 million monthly views and a community of over 18 million subscribers across four languages (English, French, Arabic, and Spanish).

RFI established a new video record with more than 1.8 billion views (+66%), including over 500 million views in African languages (a threefold increase in one year).

MCD recorded more than 253 million video views.

Pure-player digital outlets find their audiences

France Médias Monde’s three 100% digital offerings generated more than 330 million video launches in 2025: ENTR, developed with Deutsche Welle; InfoMigrants, developed with Deutsche Welle and ANSA; and ZOA, the digital media outlet launched last October by young Africans for young Africans, which gathered over 22 million views in just three months and has already built a community of 400,000 followers across its distribution platforms.

These performances confirm the success of France Médias Monde’s global digital strategy. Based on a reasoned hyper-distribution approach, the Group’s digital framework aims to develop offerings tailored to all uses and platforms, as well as the strong global appetite for French international media outlets.

Submissions Are Open for the 17th TRT International Documentary Awards

23 January 2026

Submissions Are Open for the 17th TRT International Documentary Awards

The 17th edition of the TRT International Documentary Awards returns this year, once again bringing powerful stories about people, nature, life, and history to audiences around the world.

In line with its mission to support documentary storytelling, the competition is open not only to completed films that meet the entry requirements but also to projects still in the idea or story stage that have not yet entered production. Detailed information about the competition rules, schedule, awards, and application guidelines can be found at www.trtbelgesel.com/en

Participation is entirely free of charge.

Awards will be presented across four categories: International Category, National Professional Category, National Student Films Category, and Project Development Category. In total, 12 awards will be granted to outstanding works.

The deadline for submissions is 3 April 2026, with the results of the preliminary selection to be announced on 10 April 2026.

Jury evaluations will take place between 4-7 June 2026, and the winners will be honored at the official award ceremony on 7 June 2026.

AIB publishes new member briefing on social media, disinformation and trust in news

15 January 2026

AIB publishes new member briefing on social media, disinformation and trust in news

The Association for International Broadcasting has published a new member-only briefing, Social Danger?, examining the implications of the continuing shift towards social media as a primary source of news and information.

The briefing has been produced in response to growing concern across the international media community about the scale, sophistication and impact of disinformation, fake social media accounts and coordinated influence operations — and the challenges these pose for trusted news organisations.

Rather than focusing on individual incidents or claims, the briefing provides strategic context and operational insight into how social media environments shape audience behaviour, how false narratives are embedded and amplified, and why professional journalism faces a structural disadvantage inside algorithmically driven feeds.

What the briefing covers

Without revealing specific findings, the briefing explores:

How changes in news consumption behaviour are affecting audience trust and scrutiny
Why social platforms can unintentionally favour misinformation and emotional content
The growing role of coordinated fake accounts and influence operations in exploiting social media dynamics
The implications for international broadcasters, public service media and funders

Importantly, the briefing is designed as a working reference document, not a one-off read. It includes:

A paired risk–mitigation matrix, helping organisations assess editorial, strategic, geopolitical and reputational risks and map them to practical responses
A directory of investigative organisations and reference points, enabling members to track and verify future developments in this area

Why this matters

For broadcasters, the issues addressed in Social Danger? go well beyond social media strategy. They affect:

Editorial integrity and brand trust
Strategic planning and risk management
Engagement with regulators, funders and policymakers
The long-term sustainability of public-interest journalism

Accessing the briefing

Social Danger? is available exclusively to AIB members as part of the Association’s programme of practical briefings and industry support.

Non-members who would like to learn more about the briefing, or about AIB membership and its benefits, are invited to contact the AIB Secretariat at contactaib@aib.org.uk.