BBC World Service and American Public Media (APM) have announced the extension of their partnership for the distribution of BBC World Service English radio programming to U.S. public radio stations. The partnership is renewed until mid 2022.

“APM is proud to be a partner to BBC World Service in ensuring Americans have the highest quality international news,” said Jon McTaggart, CEO American Public Media Group. “We’re energized by the increased support for BBC World Service programming from stations and their audiences, and we’re excited to continue our work to grow BBC’s reach and impact in the U.S. across platforms.”

“We know from our audience feedback in the U.S. that listeners feel an increased need for global news, and value the BBC’s international perspective on events both within and outside America,”said Mary Hockaday, Controller of BBC World Service English.  “I’m delighted that we are continuing our successful partnership with APM to serve public radio stations in the U.S. with news and programming that offers a trusted and distinctive complement to the local and national news landscape.”

American Public Media began distribution of BBC World Service in 2012. In the U.S., nearly 600 local public radio stations broadcast BBC content – mainly news and current affairs programming, including its daily flagship live news program, Newshour. The public radio audience for BBC World Service English broadcasts via APM in the U.S. has seen significant growth of 70 percent during the past 4 years (Spring 2012 to Spring 2016*).

BBC and APM introduced Topline in 2014, the daily 90-second audio snapshot of the world’s most important unfolding stories, curated for U.S. audiences and made to complement the morning drive clock. Topline currently broadcasts on more than 100 U.S. stations.

In recent focus groups, U.S. listeners said they increasingly need to be attuned to events across the globe and how they affect each individual, and that they place high value on the “outside voice” of the BBC. The BBC’s credibility, global perspective, and offering of diverse stories and voices provides a valuable complement to their local and national news coverage.

Going forward, BBC and APM will continue to focus on how BBC’s trusted and timely programming can best serve U.S. public radio stations throughout their entire 24/7 news day, both on-air and on station digital platforms, as well as exploring new ways to help stations increase audience engagement and loyalty through their affiliation with the world’s largest newsgathering organization.

*Source: Nielsen

Source: Jacobs Media, 2015 focus groups; New York, Austin, Detroit