BBC World News renews focus on Asia Pacific

BBC WORLD   PROGRAMMING   MEDIA

Asia Pacific - BBC World News is set to sharpen its focus on the Asia Pacific region, launching a new look and six additional programmes catering to regional audiences.

From 1 February, new programmes will include GMT with George Alagiah, Impact Asia with Mishal Husain (pictured) and The Hub with Nik Gowing, which will serve as the news 'nerve centre' for South Asia.

World News Today with Zeinab Badawi will cater to European viewers looking for greater depth to the daily coverage.

On the business front, there will be Business Edition with Tanya Beckett, which will examine the inner workings of business.

As part of the refresh, Asia Today will broadcast from the Singapore news studio.

The BBC is also introducing a social media element to its channel line up.

Viewers will be able to interact with the presenters via a dedicated Facebook page, programme pages on bbc.com/news, via Twitter and the BBC's Global Minds community and other social media platforms.

Colin Lawrence, commercial director BBC World News, described Asia as "hugely important" from an editorial perspective and that it makes sense to have a strong Asia Pacific focus.

"You don’t need to be an expert to see that the region as a whole is exerting ever greater influence in the world. Add in the importance of China and you can see why we consider the region as crucial to our success,"

"Our Asia Pacific audience was up 25% in the recent PAX survey, so we’re keen to ensure that trend continues."

Lawrence added BBC will also add ‘bite size’ versions of its most popular shows, such as Click and fast:track, which will fall in across the schedules. 

"These will be available for sponsorship. Weekends will also offer some new programmes and more feature content, which should prove attractive to our weekend audiences, and therefore useful to advertisers." 

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