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]

AIB publishes FIFA World Cup 2026 safety briefing for media organisations

11 May 2026

AIB publishes FIFA World Cup 2026 safety briefing for media organisations

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) has published a new safety briefing for member organisations ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will take place across the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The briefing has been developed to support broadcasters, production companies and media organisations deploying staff to the tournament, with a particular focus on operational, legal and digital security risks that may affect media personnel working in and around the event.

While the World Cup is one of the world’s largest sporting occasions, the AIB notes that the operating environment for media organisations has become significantly more complex in recent years. The guidance highlights issues including enhanced border scrutiny in the USA, device inspection and digital security concerns, civil unrest and crowd safety considerations, as well as location-specific security risks in parts of Mexico.

Importantly, the briefing is not aimed solely at reporters and correspondents. The AIB stresses that production staff, engineering teams, technical crews, producers, digital teams and operational personnel may face the same risk profile as journalists, particularly when entering the USA or operating in fast-moving public situations.

The publication forms part of the AIB’s wider work supporting member organisations with strategic intelligence, operational awareness and risk mitigation across the international media sector.

The AIB is also working closely with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on safety issues surrounding the World Cup. Together, the organisations are developing a series of webinars and practical briefings for media organisations and their staff in the run-up to the tournament.

The first webinar is scheduled to take place on 25 May, with registration details to be circulated to AIB members shortly.

Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB, said:

“Risk for media organisations is no longer confined to traditional hostile environments. Increasingly, operational risk begins at the border and extends through digital exposure, legal considerations and rapidly changing public situations.

We felt it was important to provide practical guidance that can support not only journalists, but everyone involved in the deployment of media operations around the World Cup.”

The FIFA World Cup 2026 safety briefing is available exclusively to AIB members.

Media organisations that are not currently members of the AIB and would like to discuss access to the briefing, AIB membership and the range of intelligence reports, strategic briefings, working groups and industry support provided by the Association are invited to contact the AIB Secretariat.

Further information about the AIB is available at: AIB official website

AIB publishes update Purpose and Membership Principles

7 May 2026

AIB publishes update Purpose and Membership Principles

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) brings together organisations from across the world engaged in international broadcasting and cross-border media. In a rapidly evolving global media environment—characterised by technological change, geopolitical complexity and shifting audience behaviours—it is increasingly important to articulate clearly the values and principles that underpin our shared work.

The Association has now published a revised set of AIB Purpose and Membership Principles. These have been developed and agreed by the AIB Executive Committee to provide that clarity. They set out the core concepts that define the Association’s mission and the standards to which all AIB member organisations are expected to adhere.

These principles are not intended to prescribe uniformity across a diverse global membership. Rather, they establish a common framework grounded in professionalism, integrity and respect for the role of international broadcasting in informing audiences, supporting media freedom and fostering global understanding.

They are designed to:

reinforce the credibility and trust that underpin international broadcasting
provide a clear reference point for membership and governance
support collaboration and knowledge exchange across the AIB community
ensure that the Association remains a trusted and respected forum for the global media industry

As the media landscape continues to evolve, these principles will serve as a stable foundation for the AIB’s work—supporting members in navigating change while upholding the values that define responsible and effective international broadcasting.

In Memoriam — Kevin Klose and Ted Turner

6 May 2026

In Memoriam — Kevin Klose and Ted Turner

The international broadcasting community is marking the loss of two figures whose influence helped shape the modern global media landscape: Kevin Klose and Ted Turner.

Kevin Klose, who died in April 2026, was widely respected for his leadership of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), an organisation central to the provision of independent news in societies where media freedom has often been constrained. Klose served as president and CEO during pivotal periods, including after the Cold War and again in later years when geopolitical tensions renewed the importance of trusted, fact-based international broadcasting. His career also spanned journalism and academia, including senior roles at National Public Radio, where he helped strengthen editorial standards and institutional resilience. Colleagues consistently highlighted his commitment to journalistic integrity and his belief in broadcasting as a public good.

Just weeks later, the industry was also mourning the death of Ted Turner, the visionary entrepreneur who founded CNN. Turner’s creation of the world’s first 24-hour television news channel in 1980 fundamentally altered the rhythm and expectations of news consumption. By making live, continuous coverage a global norm, CNN reshaped both audience behaviour and editorial practice, setting a template that broadcasters worldwide would follow. Turner’s broader media ventures, including the expansion of cable television and his role in building global media brands, left an enduring commercial and cultural legacy.

While their careers unfolded in different contexts – Klose within publicly funded international broadcasting and Turner within commercial media innovation – both shared a belief in the power of information to connect societies and influence global understanding. Each, in his own way, expanded the reach and relevance of broadcast journalism across borders.

Their deaths come at a moment when the media industry is confronting profound structural change, from digital disruption to shifting geopolitical pressures. The legacies of Klose and Turner serve as a reminder of the enduring importance of credible journalism, international perspective, and the institutions that sustain them.

AIB publishes new Member Insight on the evolution of Freeview and hybrid TV distribution

6 May 2026

AIB publishes new Member Insight on the evolution of Freeview and hybrid TV distribution

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) has published a new thought leadership article examining how the UK’s Freeview platform is evolving through the integration of broadcast and IP-delivered services.

Titled “Freeview Is No Longer Just Broadcast — And That Changes Everything,” the insight has been contributed by AIB Member Global Distribution Services (GDS) and explores how hybrid distribution models are already being deployed in one of the world’s most established digital terrestrial television (DTT) markets.

Freeview remains the UK’s largest television platform, reaching more than 18 million households. While often associated with traditional broadcast delivery, the new insight highlights how developments in IP delivery, data-led monetisation and platform integration are reshaping how services are delivered and experienced by audiences.

The article sets out how hybrid models can combine the scale, prominence and trust of broadcast platforms with the flexibility and performance transparency of digital delivery. It examines the growing role of technologies such as server-side ad insertion (SSAI), real-time audience data, and privacy-compliant monetisation frameworks, and considers how these are being applied within the Freeview environment.

The contribution also identifies the implications of these developments for broadcasters and platform operators. These include changing approaches to market entry, evolving audience measurement models, and the increasing importance of data in shaping both commercial and distribution strategies.

Looking ahead, the insight points to the continued development of IP-first platforms such as Freely, and the extent to which hybrid models may act as a bridge between traditional broadcast infrastructure and fully IP-delivered television services.

Commenting on the publication, Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the AIB, said:

“The transition from traditional broadcast to IP-delivered services is one of the most significant structural shifts facing the media industry. What this contribution demonstrates is that the future is not necessarily a binary choice between broadcast and streaming. Instead, we are seeing the emergence of hybrid models that combine the strengths of both. Understanding how these models are being implemented in practice is essential for broadcasters, regulators and policymakers as they consider the future of television distribution.”

Tanya Kronfli, Chief Executive of Global Distribution Services, added:

“Freeview offers something no other platform can match in the UK today — scale, credibility, and accessibility. What we’ve done at GDS is combine that reach with the precision of digital: SSAI monetisation, real-time data, and full transparency on performance. Broadcasters no longer have to choose between traditional TV and digital video — we bring the best of both worlds together in one solution.”

The publication forms part of the AIB’s ongoing programme of member-led insights, designed to share practical experience and inform industry understanding of key strategic developments.

Read the Insight here: https://aib.org.uk/Members/Member-Insight/AIB-TL-Freeview-2026-05-05.pdf