BBC World Service launches temporary emergency radio service for Iran

 

The BBC World Service has introduced a short-term emergency radio program aimed at audiences inside Iran, responding to continued unrest in the country and a sweeping crackdown on public protests.

The new service is designed to expand access to reliable news at a time when information channels inside Iran have been severely restricted. In addition to its existing digital and television output, the BBC has activated mediumwave and shortwave transmissions to ensure wider reach, particularly for listeners affected by recent internet shutdowns. Select television content has also been adapted for radio broadcast to maximize availability.

Since early January, large portions of Iran have experienced an extensive internet blackout. Just prior to the disruption, BBC News Persian recorded its highest digital engagement in more than a year, reaching an audience of over 33 million people across its platforms.

The temporary radio program offers daily coverage of unfolding events in Iran, placing domestic developments within a broader regional and global framework. Broadcasts include firsthand perspectives from inside the country along with in-depth analysis of the political, social, and economic forces shaping the current situation.

The programme airs daily for 30 minutes on both mediumwave and shortwave frequencies beginning at 4:30 p.m. GMT (8:00 p.m. Iran Standard Time). Funding has been allocated from existing BBC resources, allowing the service to continue through the end of March 2026.

BBC News leadership emphasized that expanding radio services during periods of crisis is a core mission of the World Service, particularly in environments where independent journalism is restricted. Despite official bans on its reporting inside Iran, BBC News Persian continues to reach a significant portion of the adult population.

Regional BBC executives also highlighted the expanded effort by Persian-language teams, noting increased television hours, enhanced digital output, and extensive reporting for both regional and international audiences during the unrest.

This latest initiative follows a long-standing BBC World Service practice of launching emergency media services during major crises. Similar temporary operations have been established in recent years for Myanmar following a major earthquake, Syria after the collapse of the Assad government, Gaza and Sudan during active conflicts, and Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

Where to hear the broadcasts

Live program:

4:30 p.m. GMT (8:00 p.m. Iran time)

702 kHz (mediumwave) and 9465 kHz (shortwave)

Repeat broadcast:

6:00 p.m. GMT (9:30 p.m. Iran time)

702 kHz (mediumwave) and 5935 kHz (shortwave)

Television simulcast:

A visual version airs on BBC Persian TV at 6:00 p.m. GMT (9:30 p.m. Iran time)

(BBC)

YouTube videos of BBCWS Midwinter Antarctica Special

Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast 2025  celebration - 70th Anniversary Edition, June 21, 2025

Programming for British Survey (BAS) staff stationed at UK bases during the southern hemisphere's midwinter day.

United Arab Emirates, BBC relay- Midwinter Antarctica Special -

Part 1 https://youtu.be/7HHMEVOJ4xs

United Arab Emirates, BBC relay- Midwinter Antarctica Special 

Part 2 https://youtu.be/MSrc2_YWAkI 

BBC boss warns of Russian and Chinese propaganda

 

The UK is struggling to counter a rise in "pure propaganda" from countries like Russia and China because of cuts to the World Service, the BBC's director general has warned.

Tim Davie called for more funding for its global services, a decade after the government stopped paying for most of the World Service.

Last year, the BBC ended its Arabic, Persian and Hindi radio services, among others, as part of a plan to save £28.5m a year.

Mr Davie told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday that, in contrast, "malign powers, frankly - Russia, China, others - see the benefit of investing heavily in media, bordering into pure propaganda".

Additional story at: 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj9jgmexmx4o

BBC programming update

 

The BBC World Service "six-month" schedules now seem to have been deleted permanently from the BBCWS website. 

In May I therefore produced my own "at-a-glance" schedule listing the BBC WS English programmes on shortwave. 

There have been a couple of frequency and program changes since then, so I have now updated the listing to version 1.2. 

The single-page PDF can be downloaded 

https://app.box.com/s/kbdxb4c5lwpju0kpoi27aiwc35br2g2a

Tiny URL:  https://bit.ly/3LgKNJ2

I hope that you find it useful.

(BDXC/Alan Roe, Teddington, UK) 

BBC World Service announces Emergency Service for Gaza

 

Recording of sign-on today at 1500 bUTC by Andrew Pitt on a Cyprus SDR reposted with comments by Chris Greenway.

https://twitter.com/ChrisGreenwayUK/status/1720466488547496120

Report in the New Arab today:

Gaza tunes into radio after Israel turns off the internet:

"In the Gaza Strip, frequent disruptions to internet and phone services have left over 2.1 million Palestinians isolated from the outside world. Despite the constant sound of nearby bombings, they are unable to access real-time news that could help them locate the source of these explosions. Because of this, the residents of Gaza have turned to radio as their primary source of information about events happening beyond their homes."

Full report says most have gone offline, are having to broadcast content from other channels, residents are purchasing new radios to hear the news and are listening to Al Jeezera through the radio.

https://www.newarab.com/features/gaza-tunes-radio-after-israel-turns-internet

(BDXC/Mike Barraclough, UK)

BBC World Service launches service to Sudan

 

Crisis Radio Alert: BBC World Service launches emergency pop-up radio service for Sudan on shortwave: 0700 UTC 21510 kHz and 1500 UTC 15310 kHz. #Sudan

New funding to protect BBC World Service language services

 

Press Release

The government awarded the BBC World Service £20 million to support language services and English-language broadcasting, as part of the Integrated Review refresh.

The government has awarded a one-off payment of £20 million to the BBC World Service as part of the refresh of the Integrated Review.

The money is being provided to protect all 42 World Service language services over the next 2 years, support English-language broadcasting, and counter disinformation.

The refreshed Integrated Review concludes that democracies like the UK must go further to out-cooperate and out-compete states that are driving instability. Developments over the past year, particularly the conflict in Ukraine, have shown the importance of being able to counter the hostile use of disinformation and to tackle the spread of harmful state narratives.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The BBC World Service is vital in the fight against the spread of disinformation around the world. This funding will ensure people across the globe continue to have access to accurate, high-quality journalism.

As the world’s most trusted international broadcaster, the BBC World Service is a vital tool in providing accurate and impartial news, analysis and discussion in 42 languages to 365 million people around the world each week. This one-off funding will allow the BBC World Service to maintain its unrivaled status as the world’s largest international broadcaster, and to continue playing its crucial role in tackling harmful disinformation through providing trusted, impartial news and analysis globally.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-funding-agreed-to-keep-bbc-world-service-on-air)

BBC's Arabic Service bids farewell to the world after 85 years of broadcasting

 

Story at Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)

https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3078840&language=en#

BBC Arabic: From the "Huna London," to the digital age

https://www.bbc.com/arabic/42778344

BBC preparing to go online-only over next decade, says director general

 

Tim Davie outlines vision for a world of ‘infinite choice’ where broadcast TV and radio are being switched off

The BBC is preparing to shut down its traditional television and radio broadcasts as it becomes an online-only service over the next decade, according to the director general, Tim Davie.

“Imagine a world that is internet-only, where broadcast TV and radio are being switched off and choice is infinite,” he said. “A switch-off of broadcast will and should happen over time, and we should be active in planning for it.”

Davie said the BBC was committed to live broadcasting but Britons should prepare for the closure of many standalone channels and radio stations by the 2030s: “Over time this will mean fewer linear broadcast services and a more tailored joined-up online offer.”

additional story at: 

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/dec/07/bbc-will-go-online-only-by-2030s-says-director-general

BBCWS schedules for FIFA World Cup

 

World Service English provides coverage of the FIFA World Cup for listeners in Africa from the opening match, 20 November to the final, 18 December. Therefore there are schedule changes for both East Africa & West Africa schedules ONLY.

Schedule change details Sun 20 Nov - Fri 2 Dec for East & West Africa ONLY:

*Due to such extensive coverage and with the intention to communicate all matches distinctly, WSE will provide a weekly breakdown of the coverage, with as much notice as possible. The following includes all matches covered by WSE in the first and second weeks of the group stages. Also, please note that during the coverage, there are additional schedule changes to accommodate additional broadcasts of WS programs. Details below:

Sunday 20 November

15:45 – 18:29 GMT: Qatar v Ecuador, 16:00 GMT Kick-off (The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

18:32 – 18:50 GMT: Additional broadcast Pick of the World

18:50 – 18:59 GMT: Additional broadcast Over To You from

Monday 21 November:

15:30 – 18:29 GMT Senegal v Netherlands, 16:00 GMT Kick-off (Coverage starts at 15:30:00 GMT with a 29-second billboard, followed by the usual two-minute summary. Coverage then continues from 15:32 GMT. The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

Tuesday 22 November

12:50 – 15:29 GMT: Tunisia v Denmark, 13:00 GMT Kick-off (The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

Wednesday 23 November

09:30 – 12:29 GMT: Morocco v Croatia, 10:00 GMT Kick-off (Coverage starts at 09:30 GMT followed by a 29” billboard, followed by the usual two minute summary. Coverage then continues from 09:32 GMT. The standard BBC Clock will not be observed))

12:32 – 12:59 GMT: Additional broadcast of The Documentary (Wed)

Thursday 24 November

09:30 – 12:29 GMT: Cameroon v Switzerland, 10:00 GMT Kick-off (Coverage starts at 09:30 GMT followed by a 29” billboard, followed by the usual two-minute summary. Coverage then continues from 09:32 GMT. The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

Thursday 24 November

12:32 – 12:59 GMT: Additional broadcast of The Food Chain

15:30 – 18:29 GMT: Portugal v Ghana, 16:00 GMT Kick-off: (Coverage starts at 15:30:00 GMT with a 29-second billboard, followed by the usual two-minute summary. Coverage then continues from 15:32 GMT. The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

Friday 25 November

12:50 – 15:29 GMT: Senegal v Qatar, 13:00 GMT Kick-off (The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

Saturday 26 November

09:30 – 12:29 GMT: Tunisia v Australia, 10:00 GMT Kick-off (Coverage starts at 09:30 GMT followed by a 29” billboard, followed by the usual two-minute summary. Coverage then continues from 09:32 GMT. The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

Saturday 27 November

12:30 – 15:30 GMT: Morocco v Belgium, 13:00 GMT Kick-off (Coverage starts at 12:30 GMT followed by a 29” billboard, followed by the usual two minute summary. Coverage then continues from 12:32 GMT. The standard BBC Clock will not be observed) until 15:30 GMT, where listeners in Africa will join Sportsworld.

Monday 28 November

09:30 – 12:29 GMT: Cameroon v Serbia, 10:00 GMT Kick-off (Coverage starts at 09:30 GMT followed by a 29” billboard, followed by the usual two-minute summary. Coverage then continues from 09:32 GMT. The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

12:30 – 15:29 GMT: Ghana v South Korea, 13:00 GMT Kick-off (Coverage starts at 12:30 GMT followed by a 29” billboard, followed by the usual two-minute summary. Coverage then continues from 12:32 GMT. (The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

Tuesday 29 November

14:49 – 17:30 GMT: Senegal v Ecuador, 15:00 GMT Kick-off (The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

Wednesday 30 November

14:49 – 17:30 GMT: Tunisia v France, 15:00 GMT Kick-off (The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

Thursday 1 December

14:49 – 17:30 GMT: Morocco v Canada, 15:00 GMT Kick-off (The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

Friday 2 December

14:49 – 17:30 GMT: Ghana v Uruguay, 15:00 GMT Kick-off (The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

18:30 – 19:29 GMT: Cameroon v Brazil, 19:00 GMT Kick-off (Coverage starts at 18:30 GMT followed by a 29” billboard, followed by the usual two-minute summary. Coverage then continues from 18:32 GMT. (The standard BBC Clock will not be observed)

(BBC WS)

BBC to Cut 10 Language Services

 

The BBC has announced deep cuts to its World Service output that will result in the loss of hundreds of jobs, saying it has been forced to act by the government’s ongoing licence fee freeze.

In a move that could weaken the UK’s soft power around the world, the corporation will stop producing radio output in 10 languages, including Chinese, Hindi, and Arabic.

BBC Persian will end its audio broadcasts aimed at Iran, with the announcement coming at a time when widespread protests are taking place in the country.

There will also be a change in focus of the World Service’s English-language radio output, with more time dedicated to live news and sports programming at the expense of standalone programmes.

Additional story at: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/sep/29/hundreds-of-jobs-to-go-as-bbc-announces-world-service-cutbacks

late Breaking News: BBC World Service announces language cuts

 

Major cuts to BBC World Service were announced this morning (29 Sept 2022). The details are very extensive, but one headline is that 10 BBC languages will cease being aired by radio and will become online/TV only. They are: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Persian, Kyrgyz, Tamil, Urdu and Uzbek.

More details:

https://radiotoday.co.uk/2022/09/bbc-world-service-to-end-10-radio-services-and-cut-382-job-positions/ 

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/sep/29/hundreds-of-jobs-to-go-as-bbc-announces-world-service-cutbacks 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2022/bbc-world-service-outlines-move-to-digital-first-service 

(BDXC)

Shortwave schedule updates

 

All times UTC

New schedule of BBC in Farsi 

Effective: 22 September 2022 

Farsi

0330-0430 on 11870 DHA 250 kW 

0330-0430 on 12015 SCB 100 kW 

0330-0430 on 13825 TAC 100 kW 

0430-0530 on 9880 DHA 250 kW 

0430-0530 on 13825 TAC 100 kW 

0430-0530 on 15210 SCB 100 kW 

1600-1700 on 5875 TAC 100 kW 

1600-1700 on 6195 SLA 250 kW 

1830-1930 on 6100 SCB 100 kW 

United States

WINB Radio Red Lion, PA in Hybrid DRM mode:

0700-0945 on 9265 INB 015 kW English Daily &

0700-0930 on 9265 INB 015 kW English Mon-Fri

0930-1100 on 13655 INB 015 kW English Mon-Fri

1100-1400 on 13720 INB 015 kW English Mon-Fri

1400-1500 on 15675 INB 015 kW English Mon-Fri

1500-1700 on 15750 INB 015 kW English Mon-Fri 

(DXB)

BBC World Service Christmas Eve programming

 

BBC World Service will present the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. programming is based around nine Bible readings, which tell the story of the loving purposes of God. They are interspersed with old and new Christmas carols, 

sung by the well-known across the globe, Choir of King’s College Cambridge. Traditional Christmas hymns from the congregation are also included. 

The Christmas Eve broadcast will broadcast from 1500-1630UTC 

relays as indicated

1500-1600: 7485 (Singapore) 9410 (Oman)  

1600-1630: 7445 (Madagascar) 7485 (Singapore) 17640 (Ascension Island) 17830 (Ascension island) 21630 (Ascension Island) 

(Frequencies may be extended later or earlier to accommodate the transmission).

(BDXC/Teak Publishing)

(photo/BBC Radio 4)

Cuba sees the largest protest in decades

 

Castro and the Cuban Revolution (wikipedia)

Follow live the second day of the popular uprising in Cuba and its international repercussions at: https://www.radiotelevisionmarti.com/

Protests take place across Cuba as the country faces shortages of COVID-19 vaccines and basic necessities

Thousands of Cubans took to the streets in Havana and in other cities to demand vaccines and food on Sunday as the country faces a period of an economic crisis brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic. People criticized President Miguel Díaz-Canel, saying "down with the dictatorship," according to the Miami Herald. In a speech addressing the country, Díaz-Canel blamed the United States for the unrest, according to Reuters.

Radio Marti with additional news, videos, photo gallery, and more at: https://www.radiotelevisionmarti.com/ 

Radio Marti 24-hour schedule listings on mediumwave and shortwave in Spanish, included in the current edition of Global Radio Guide, available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0938DDK5L

Current broadcast schedules for BBC World Service and Voice of America, may also be found in this edition.

Clandestine station, Radio Republica, programming targeted to Cuba

Spanish

0200-0300 Tues, Wed, Thurs via Issoudun, France transmitter on 9490 kHz

0200-0400  Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun via Issoudun, France transmitter on 9490 kHz

The Battle of the Airwaves in Cuba

by Gayle Van Horn

Global Radio Guide 2018-2019

https://www.amazon.com/Global-Radio-Guide-Winter-2018-2019-ebook/dp/B07L3RYTPG

Cuba sees biggest protests for decades as pandemic adds to woes

Marc Frank, Sarah Marsh

HAVANA, July 11 (Reuters) - Chanting "freedom" and calling for President Miguel Diaz-Canel to step down, thousands of Cubans joined street protests from Havana to Santiago on Sunday in the biggest anti-government demonstrations on the Communist-run island in decades.

The protests erupted amid Cuba's worst economic crisis since the fall of the Soviet Union, its old ally, and a record surge in coronavirus infections, with people voicing anger over shortages of basic goods, curbs on civil liberties, and the authorities' handling of the pandemic.

Thousands took to the streets in various parts of Havana including the historic centre, their shouts of “Diaz-Canel step down” drowning out groups of government supporters waving the Cuban flag and chanting "Fidel."

Additional story at: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/street-protests-break-out-cuba-2021-07-11/

BBC and FEBA Radio schedule updates

 

All times UTC

Updates of BBC and FEBA Radio

BBC

1800-1830 9540 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg to CeAf French, (ex 6180) from December 25

1400-1430 15400 ASC 250 kW / 055 deg to WeAf Hausa Sunday, from December 27

1400-1430 17780 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg to WeAf Hausa Sunday, from December 27

1400-1430 21630 DHA 250 kW / 260 deg to WeAf Hausa Sunday, from December 27

2000-2030 9545 WOF 250 kW / 160 deg to WeAf Hausa Sunday,  from December 27

2000-2030 11660 ASC 125 kW / 055 deg to WeAf Hausa Sunday, from December 27

2000-2030 15490 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg to WeAf Hausa Sunday, from December 27

FEBA to January 1, 2021

1615-1630 on  9540 ERV 300 kW / 192 deg to EaAf Guragena Mo-We and will be deleted

1615-1630 on  9540 ERV 300 kW / 192 deg to EaAf Amharic  Th-Su and will be deleted

1630-1700 on  9540 ERV 300 kW / 192 deg to EaAf Amharic  Daily and will be deleted

(DXB/31 Dec 2020)

BBC World service frequency update

 

In the coming days, BBC World Service, will adjust the following frequencies:

English to Asia frequency changes 

All times UTC

0000-0100 5970 -> 6155 kHz

0100-0200 5970 -> 5945 kHz

0100-0200 11730 -> 12065 kHz

1200-1300 12065 -> 11995 kHz

(Mauno Ritola/WRTH FB)

BBC World Service annual mid-winter Antarctica broadcast set for June 21

Music requests and special messages for the staff at the British Antarctic Survey

Listen to the Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast

This is possibly the BBC World Service's most unusual program as well as serving its smallest intended audience. It is broadcast each year on 21 June to a guaranteed audience this year of just 44 people: the men and women scientists and support staff overwintering at four British bases in Antarctica.

There are just eight among the seals and penguins of King Edward Point on South Georgia and only four at nearby Bird Island. The biggest base, Rothera, on the Antarctic Peninsula houses 19 winterers – the population can reach 100 in the Summer. Furthest south still is Halley VI on the Brant ice shelf where the Sun does not rise for many weeks and temperatures of -30° C are made worse by bitter winds. But life is more comfortable for the 13 lucky residents because they are in the futuristic new modules of Halley VI – the previous five bases have either been dismantled or even lost beneath the ice.

All time UTC
June 21, 2020

2130-2200 on  6170 ASC 250 kW / 207 deg to Antarctica English special program (Ascension island relay)
2130-2200 on  5790 WOF 300 kW / 180 deg to Antarctica English special program (Woofferton, UK relay)
2130-2200 on  7360 WOF 300 kW / 182 deg to Antarctica English special program
2130-2200 on  9580 ASC 250 kW / 207 deg to Antarctica English special program
(DX Mix-Bulgaria)

Additional story on Antarctica Midwinter Broadcast and audio file at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/48Gx2jfJBWHyWggDSD19gFT/antarctic-midwinter-broadcast 

Previous broadcast available at You Tube
Ralf Bender Shortwave Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dvIJCh-i4I

BBC Midwinter Broadcast # 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEsrX9JuzRw

The 2018 BBC Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5yfGNpy8TU

BBC could scale back output if hit by coronavirus

BBC director general Tony Hall has told MPs there's a chance that part of its services could be "out of action" for a spell if the corporation's newsrooms suffered an outbreak of coronavirus.

Lord Hall said the BBC is "intent on keeping absolutely everything open".

Asked whether there could be a scaling back of services, he replied: "There could be - I hope there won't be."

Executives are "working through how we could cope with" a service being out of action, he added.

He said they are looking at how to ensure "we can keep broadcasting the information that the people need to have", but that the BBC is "gaming out" what would happen if many staff go sick.

"You could imagine a local station or some other part of our news operation being out of action for a period."

Additional story at BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51851414

Frequency updates

All times UTC

New Zealand
Radio New Zealand Pacific Sun-Fri DRM:
1651-1750 on  5975 RAN 035 kW / 035 deg to Tonga/Samoa English unchanged
1751-1850 NF 11690*RAN 035 kW / 035 deg to Tonga/Samoa English, ex  9780
1851-1958 NF 13840*RAN 035 kW / 035 deg to Tonga/Samoa English, ex 11690
* both freqs are unregistered for this time slots

United Kingdom
BBC - cancelled transmissions
Effective: 01 Jan 2020
0100-0130 on  5845 TAC 100 kW / 141 deg to SoAs Hindi
0100-0130 on  5875 WOF 250 kW / 075 deg to SoAs Hindi
0100-0130 on  7430 WOF 300 kW / 082 deg to SoAs Hindi
0100-0130 on 11995 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to SoAs Hindi
1500-1600 on  7410 DHA 250 kW / 045 deg to SoAs Urdu
1500-1600 on  9410 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to SoAs Urdu
1500-1600 on 11995 SNG 250 kW / 320 deg to SoAs Urdu

Only one transmission of BBC in Hindi is on the air:
1400-1430 on  5875 TAC 100 kW / 141 deg to SoAs Hindi
1400-1430 on  9510 SNG 250 kW / 320 deg to SoAs Hindi
1400-1430 on  9540 SLA 250 kW / 075 deg to SoAs Hindi
1400-1430 on 11995 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to SoAs Hindi
(DX Bulgaria 01 Jan 2020)