BBC launches Arabic TV channel

The BBC’s multimedia news service for the Arab world launched on March 11, the BBC Arabic news and information channel in the Arabic language. To begin with broadcasting for 12 hours a day, it will move to 24/7 in the summer.

BBC Arabic is already available on radio, on the internet through bbcarabic.com, on mobiles and on handheld computers. The radio service boasts 13.2 million listeners weekly, according to statistics it shared with Communicate.

“All of our research in key capital cities in the Arab world shows demand for a BBC Arabic channel is increasing,” a BBC spokesperson tells Communicate. “In seven Arab capitals a range of between 80–90 percent of those surveyed said they would be ‘very likely’ or ‘fairly likely’ to use a BBC Arabic TV service.”

BBC Arabic television will be freely available to everyone with a satellite or cable connection in the region, which includes the GCC nations, the Middle East and North Africa. BCC Arabic will broadcast objective and accurate information, it will follow a modern style, independent and perceptive.

BBC Arabic will draw on the BBC’s newsgathering operation of over 250 correspondents in 72 bureaus around the world, in addition to local reporters in the Arab world. The news giant feels this will help differentiate it from existing regional offerings like Al Jazeera. “On a programming level, we will be bringing a wider international agenda to the news. BBC Arabic television will bring the world to the viewer,” says the spokesperson. BBC also says its funding model will help ensure its credibility.

“All other pan-Arabic television channels require the backing of 'benefactors' for commercial viability,” the spokesperson tells Communicate. “Grant-in-aid funding for the BBC's Arabic channel, spent by BBC World Service, is a guarantee of quality news-coverage coupled with stable long-term financing.” Nor does the BBC worry it may be rejected by regional audiences as western-biased. The company says that people surveyed who are likely to watch a BBC Arabic TV channel cite the trusted nature of the brand as the reason.

“We have a brand that is strong and trusted throughout the region for over 70 years,” says the spokesperson. The channel will feature news and current affairs programs in addition to live interactive debating forums, BBC documentaries and Arab world in-depth reports.