Encompass Digital Media to transform BBC World Service distribution

2 May 2025

Encompass Digital Media to transform BBC World Service distribution

Encompass Digital Media is leading transformation of the BBC World Service’s global distribution from satellite to IP-based delivery. The initiative, which Encompass is delivering in partnership with Zixi, offers unparalleled flexibility, scalability and cost-effectiveness. The first major milestone was reached at the end of March, and delivered the full transition to IP distribution for BBC World Service partners across Europe. There now follows a rolling programme of transformations across the Americas, Pacific, Africa, and Asia.

Encompass has been awarded the contract to establish a global IP distribution network for BBC World Service using Encompass’ Altitude Connect platform, integrating Zixi’s industry-leading IP delivery technology with Altitude Media Cloud, Encompass’ global broadcast cloud platform.

Encompass’ strategy emphasises the modernisation of broadcast infrastructure, audience resilience, and cost-effective content distribution – a natural fit for the BBC’s own distribution roadmap. By moving to IP-based delivery, Encompass expects the BBC World Service will:

Expand accessibility by delivering content more efficiently across a range of digital and broadcast platforms.
Enhance flexibility and security, ensuring uninterrupted service in regions where satellite coverage may be unreliable or cost-prohibitive.
Support sustainability and cost reduction, moving away from legacy satellite technology to a more scalable and adaptable digital framework.

The shift to IP also enables targeted content delivery, allowing the BBC to respond more effectively to market challenges and changing audience needs.

The project involves:

Migrating hundreds of radio and TV partners globally from satellite to IP delivery.
Transitioning from bespoke receiver hardware to commodity, software-based solutions.
Integrating broadcast schedules, using the SCTE 224 protocol, to deliver precise and seamless channel switching across the global platform.

Nigel Fry, Director Distribution, International Services, BBC News, (and a member of the AIB Executive Committee) said: “Transitioning BBC World Service distribution to IP represents a major milestone in our commitment to modernizing how we serve markets worldwide. This shift provides another level of flexibility for our services while aligning with our long-term strategy to adapt to the evolving media landscape. With the support of Encompass and Zixi, we are ensuring that BBC World Service continues to deliver trusted news and information to audiences, wherever they are, with greater reach and security than ever before.”

Marc Bruce, CEO of Encompass Digital Media, said: “We are proud to partner with the BBC and Zixi to bring a new era of IP-based content distribution to BBC World Service. This project is a significant step forward in modernizing broadcast infrastructure, allowing for greater flexibility, cost efficiency, and enhanced security. By moving away from satellite, we are enabling the BBC to reach its global audience with unmatched flexibility and precision.”

Marc Aldrich, CEO of Zixi, added: “Zixi is thrilled to collaborate with the BBC and Encompass to deliver this groundbreaking transition to IP-based distribution. Our technology ensures the highest level of reliability, security, and scalability, allowing the BBC World Service to expand its reach and maintain its reputation for excellence in global broadcasting. This project is a testament to the future of content delivery, where IP distribution becomes the gold standard for efficiency and innovation.”

The Europe migration marks the first major milestone in this transformation. The Encompass and BBC teams are working in close collaboration to deliver the critical path, while the leadership teams co-ordinate next steps for wider industry engagement. While the BBC and Encompass remain focused on a successful phased rollout, this move to IP delivery is not only a technological upgrade, but a strategic shift that will future-proof BBC World Service distribution for years to come.

BBC World Service + British Council launch International Audio Drama Competition 2026

19 February 2025

BBC World Service + British Council launch International Audio Drama Competition 2026

Writers from around the world are invited to submit their scripts for the 29th International Audio Drama Competition (previously the International Playwriting Competition) which opens for entries on 19 February 2025.

The global competition, hosted by BBC World Service and the British Council, offers the unique opportunity for writers to use the medium of audio drama to tell stories for an international audience.

There are two categories: ‘English as a First Language’ and ‘English as a Second Language’. Winners will receive a cash prize, be invited to attend an award ceremony in the UK in 2026, and to participate in the recording of their dramas for a world premiere on BBC World Service platforms. A Special Commendation will be made for the runner-up in honour of the BBC World Service journalist and writer Georgi Markov (1929-1978).

The last competition in 2023 attracted 677 entries from 94 countries, with regional winners coming from the USA, Lebanon, Nigeria and Australia.

The winner in the First Language category was The Mighty Corbeau, written by Julien Marvin Neaves from Trinidad and Tobago. It tells the story of an ageing calypso singer who decides to come out of retirement to prove, once and for all, that he is better than his rival of many years. In the Second Language category, Michaela Kwon from South Korea won with her bold and imaginative drama Steady Eyes about a family from Seoul dealing with a world in which a mysterious force starts abducting animals.

Nadya Todorova from Bulgaria won the Georgi Markov commendation with Slamming Doors, a funny and sharply observed relationship drama about the lies we tell and the secrets we keep.

Former winner Michaela Kwon, says: “The International Playwriting Competition provided me with not only the best platform any writer could dream of debuting through, but also an unforgettable week at Broadcasting House, during which I learnt so much and made lifelong friends. I am ever so grateful for the opportunity and will always be proud to be a part of it.”

Former winner Julien Marvin Neaves, says: “Amazing. Life changing. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. These may all sound like hyperbole, but that was my experience as a winner of the BBC and British Council International Radio Playwriting Competition. From touring the culture-rich city of London to seeing The Mighty Corbeau come to the life with an excellent cast and crew to a wonderful friendship with my co-winner, it was more than I could ever have imagined. As a writer, it has become a major milestone in my career and for that I will forever be grateful. Thanks again to the BBC and the British Council for this amazing, life-changing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Simon Pitts, Commissioning Editor BBC World Service English, says: “We are pleased to announce the 29th International Audio Drama Competition, which celebrates emerging talent and storytelling through the exciting medium of audio drama. The competition discovers and develops voices from all around the world, showcasing original stories that bring new perspectives to life.

“Once again, two winning writers will be developing their scripts and participating in the studio sessions together with the BBC drama team and a professional cast. Last year’s winning entries The Mighty Corbeau and Steady Eyes were beloved by BBC World Service listeners, and we look forward to sharing more outstanding work on our global stage.”

Neil Webb, Director Theatre and Dance, British Council, says: “At the British Council, we help talented people find new opportunities and collaborate internationally, thereby growing the UK and international creative sectors. We’re excited to launch a fresh round of this inspiring competition, searching for writers who have stories to share and who are intrigued by the unique possibilities of audio drama.”

“This is a significant opportunity for two writers to work with the BBC to bring their plays to production and find a global audience. Last year’s winning entries brought us thoughtful, humorous voices from South Korea and Trinidad and Tobago, and I can’t wait to see (or hear) what writers around the world are thinking and dreaming about at this moment in time.”

The shortlisted scripts and judging panel will be announced in due course. Previous judges have included Kwame Kwei Armah, Dame Eileen Atkins, Doris Lessing, Roy Williams, Patricia Cumper and Nina Sosanya.

The International Audio Drama Competition welcomes scripts from anyone outside the UK, whether established or new writers. The dramas need to be between 40-50 minutes long and can be on any subject. The closing date for entries is 11.00 GMT on Wednesday 4June 2025. Further details on the competition can be found at bbcworldservice.com/dramacompetition, where you’ll find full terms and privacy notice.

[Source: BBC press release]

BBC World Service launches Arabic edition of award-winning educational programme ‘Dars’ in the Middle East and North Africa

4 February 2025

BBC World Service launches Arabic edition of award-winning educational programme ‘Dars’ in the Middle East and North Africa

Dars, described by the UN as a “learning lifeline” for children barred from school in Afghanistan, supports learning for children who cannot access education

In line with its commitment to providing vital services to audiences in crisis, the BBC World Service is bringing its educational programme, Dars or ‘lesson’– which was described by the United Nations as a “learning lifeline” for children in Afghanistan – to the Middle East and North Africa through Dars Arabic, a new programme by BBC News Arabic.

At least 30 million children are out of school in the Middle East and North Africa[1], many have been displaced by conflict and crises in Sudan, Yemen and Gaza, which have severely affected access to education. Dars Arabic aims to connect these children facing immense barriers to an education with learning.

Dars Arabic utilises the content and expertise of BBC Education to offer children aged 11-16 lessons in Maths, English, Science and Geography at varying skillsets. Each week, the programme also shares inspirational stories about young people overcoming obstacles, positive news stories on climate, tech, health and more, and bespoke mental health lessons.

These mental health lessons are short, animated films, produced in consultation with expert conflict psychologists to provide young people with the tools needed to understand their emotions and improve their wellbeing. Topics covered include coping with bereavement, adjusting to displacement and change, managing stress, and finding hope during challenging times.

The animated films are available across Dars Arabic broadcasts on BBC News Arabic TV and digital platforms, as well as internationally through broadcasts across the BBC World Service’s 41 language services and in English on the World Service YouTube channel.

Dars first launched in 2023 on BBC News Pashto and Dari, it brings learning to Afghan children who are not able to go to school. Girls aged 11-16 have been restricted from accessing education in Afghanistan since 2021. Dars is hosted by female BBC journalists, many of whom were evacuated from Kabul in 2021 after the Taliban’s return to power.

Dars Arabic provides an offering specific to children across the Arabic-speaking world. The 30 minute episodes launch on BBC News Arabic TV, digital platforms and lifeline radio services in Gaza and Syria from Sunday 9 February.

The programme is broadcast from the BBC Bureau in Cairo by a team of young presenters from across the region and its English lessons are presented by BBC News Arabic correspondents Hanan Razek and Yasmine Abukhadra.

Fiona Crack, Deputy Global Director BBC News, says: “Hearing from our Dari and Pashto speaking audiences about the difference Dars has made to their lives has been very humbling over the last two years. In line with the BBC World Service’s commitment to inform and educate audiences across the globe, we’re thrilled to launch a similar educational opportunity with Dars in Arabic. While it can’t replace going to school, we hope it will help spark curiosity and a love of learning for our youngest audience members and their families.’

BBC News Arabic TV airs new episodes of Dars Arabic weekly on Sundays at 05:30 GMT (07:30 EET) and is repeated at 10:05 GMT (12:05 EET) and throughout the week. Dars Arabic is also available on BBC News Arabic’s digital platforms, including BBC News Arabic YouTube, and through BBC News Arabic’s lifeline radio services in Gaza and Syria, available on medium wave and FM.

[Source: BBC World Service press release]

BBC World Service sets out savings plan for the year ahead

29 January 2025

BBC World Service sets out savings plan for the year ahead

BBC World Service makes operational changes in order to meet £6m worth of savings requirements with around 130 roles closing

The BBC World Service has announced that it will be making a series of changes in order to meet savings requirements for the year ahead.

Despite the government providing a what the BBC says is a welcome uplift in the grant-in-aid funding for the World Service, previous freezes on the licence fee, global inflation, and the need for ongoing digital and technological upkeep have meant savings are necessary.

The BBC World Service is also operating in a highly competitive global media environment with international news providers investing billions in state-backed media that sees increased competition for staff, platforms and frequencies, and audiences.

In total, the savings needed for the next financial year are around £6m and will largely be met by the closure of posts with a net reduction of around 130 roles.

The BBC World Service’s commitment to providing journalism of the highest quality across its 42 language services is undiminished. It says that it will continue to counter disinformation, provide emergency services in times of crisis and report from all corners of the globe.

The operational changes will be in line with the BBC’s broader digital first strategy, ensuring our services are fit for the future and reflecting changing audience behaviour.

Jonathan Munro, Global Director and Deputy CEO, BBC News, says:

“While the result of the latest grant-in-aid funding settlement means we are able to maintain all of our existing language services, we were clear it would not stave off difficult decisions in order to remain globally competitive and meet our savings requirements. These changes will ensure we operate effectively with the resource we have, creating the most impact for audiences internationally.”

Key changes will include; closing posts across the BBC World Service in the UK and internationally, closing roles in BBC Monitoring whilst also reinvesting in strategically important skills, making changes to the commissioning mix on World Service English, and reshaping some of our World Service Language teams to enhance the focus on digital output

BBC World Service in Kuala Lumpur to record The Arts Hour On Tour

11 November 2024

BBC World Service in Kuala Lumpur to record The Arts Hour On Tour

BBC World Service is bringing its flagship arts and culture programme The Arts Hour on Tour to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday 26 November 2024, featuring live performances and interviews with leading creatives from the city and country.

The programme will feature live performances and star guest interviews with Malaysian creatives who will join BBC presenter Nikki Bedi on stage, along with a live audience, to discuss the themes of cultural life in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia right now.

Guests include screen star Sharifah Amani, whose latest film La Luna is Singapore’s submission to next year’s Oscars and tells the story of a woman who opens a lingerie shop in a conservative Malaysian village.

Film director Ng Ken Kin talks about Pendatang, his crowdfunded film, available to watch on YouTube, which depicts a fictitious dystopian Malaysia, where different races are forbidden to live together.

There will be live music from the extraordinarily talented Kuala Lumpur singer-songwriter Takahara Suiko, and from the phenomenal Sabahan band Tuni Sundatang with sensational singer, Dabra Sia, whose collaborations are fusing the folkloric traditions of Borneo with contemporary rock music.

Recorded in English for BBC World Service Radio, The Arts Hour on Tour visits cities all over the world to explore their hottest cultural trends by talking to the artists who live and work there, promoting cultural exchange across the world.

We are especially excited to visit Malaysia, with its rich mix of cultures, ancient and modern, and we hope to create an amazing opportunity for Malaysian talents and culture to be heard by our worldwide audience.

The show will be broadcast on BBC World Service Radio, to millions of listeners worldwide.

Everyone is invited to register to attend for free and be part of the audience for the recording:

Date: Tuesday 26 November
Venue: Playhouse @ The Campus Ampang
Address: Jalan Kerja Air Lama, 68000 Ampang, Selangor, Malaysia
Doors open at 7.15pm for a prompt 8pm start

Please register for FREE seat reservations here