ITV

Tag: SLBC

  • BBC increases its presence on FM in Sri Lanka

    BBC increases its presence on FM in Sri Lanka

    MUMBAI: Sri Lankans can now enjoy ten hours of BBC World Service programming, thanks to a new agreement with the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC). BBC output in English has increased by five hours on all SLBC national FM networks across the country in addition to programmes in Sinhala and Tamil.

    BBC business development manager, Asia and Pacific region Michel Lobelle said, “I am delighted that listeners in Sri Lanka are now able to enjoy the full range of BBC programming in perfect sound quality on FM across the country. Sri Lanka is a key market for the BBC World Service and this new agreement consolidates our excellent relationship with SLBC.”

    SLBC chairman Sunil Sarath Perera said, “SLBC is proud to be associated with the world’s leading international radio broadcaster and we look forward to building more bridges in the future.”

    Audiences listening in English can enjoy a broad mix of BBC programming ranging from news and current affairs to science and technology. Highlights include Newshour, which is 60 minutes of news and analysis of the day’s top stories, and the interactive global news programme World Have Your Say, giving listeners an opportunity to share their views and questions on topical issues.

    For sports fans, the BBC has daily hourly updates in news bulletins and Sports Round Up. Cricket enthusiasts can stay across the latest in World Cricket while football supporters tune into World Football. BBC programmes in English also tap into the world’s cultural scene. The Beat is a guide to popular global music while On Screen brings the latest stories from the world of film, TV and video games.

    Culture Shock looks at trends in cultural expression and Close Up gives listeners new insights into well established artistic movements.

  • BBC scouting for partners in India for Hindi and Urdu news channel services

    BBC scouting for partners in India for Hindi and Urdu news channel services

    MUMBAI: The British Broadcasting Corporation is scouting for joint venture partners for launching television news channel services in Hindi and Urdu languages in India.

    “We are launching a 24-hour news channel in Arabic next year and we are looking at television services in Hindi and Urdu. They will be joint ventures,” BBC World Service business development manager Michel Lobelle told reporters in Colombo, according to news agency PTI report.

    The expansion of television saw a slight dip in radio listenership in India but, it is on the rise again with more people tuning into radios, he said.

    In India, the Corporation has already entered into partnership on various fronts such as magazine and radio. The BBC Worldwide owns 50 per cent of the Times of India’s magazines subsidiary including its selling titles, FilmFare and Femina. In August 2005, Top Gear magazine launched in India making it the first BBC magazine from the joint venture.

    On the radio front, the BBC Worldwide has partnered with Radio Mid-Day West (India) Private Ltd. The company has won bids for six cities including Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Pune.

    The Corporation also announced its rebroadcasting deal with Sri Lanka’s state-run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) radio.

    The SLBC radio will rebroadcast nine hours of BBC programmes under the new deal, Lobelle said, adding that the deal provides an opportunity for Lankans to easily access BBC programmes through a network of FM channels.