BBC WSE Spring Changes 2023: February 22, 2023

BBC World Service carried out a strategic review, looking at how to serve our audiences
around the world in an even better way and meet our financial challenges.


The wider BBC World Service strategy sees a greater emphasis on building impact and
delivering long-term audience engagement bringing benefit to our partners and the BBC.
It will support the digital transformation ambitions of the BBC with an increased focus on
BBC platforms. World Service English continues to recognise the value of partnerships and
we look forward our continued collaboration.

Whilst there will be changes, World Service English will continue to offer:

  • High-quality international content that transcends borders and cultural divides to facilitate a global conversation
  • A multi-genre 24/7 schedule rich mix of programming
  • News and Current Affairs still at its core, with some additional live news and sport and feature programmes being introduced
  • A clear focus on development of our digital and podcast offer to reach new audiences, especially younger audiences

The changes are driven by a focus on content offering:

  • Explanation, context and analysis
  • First class storytelling – investigations, documentaries, and human interest
  • Engagement and involvement of the audience

Whilst there are some programme closures there is investment in new initiatives which bring benefit to the BBC and our partners across the world.

  • 4 April sees the launch of a new 26 minutes 30 second programme explaining new technology, its impact, and meeting the people behind the innovations reshaping lives in every part of our world.
  • 20 April sees the launch of a new hour-long programme exploring the world through science, looking at the latest developments and how they may change our lives.
  • From 1 April the 08:06 GMT edition of Weekend on Saturday and Sunday will be extended ending at 08:59 GMT (formally ended at 08:29 GMT)
  • From 22 April The Forum increases duration to 49 minutes 30 seconds (fromally 40 minutes 30 seconds GMT)
  • From 1 April a new 49 minutes 30 seconds slot, Discussion and Documentary, brings together four monthly programmes into a weekly* offer to explore the lives, cultures and attitudes of people from around the world: World Book Club, World Questions, The Documentary Weekend and The Forum.
    • All four programmes can be taken on an individual basis
    • *If there are 5 weeks in a month, there will be a second The Documentary Weekend
  • From 1 April new 17 minute 30 second slot, Weekend Insights, brings together
    Trending (24 episodes annually) / The Explanation (20 episodes annually) /
    World of Wisdom (8 episodes annually) into a weekly offer to explain the stories
    the world is sharing via social media, unpacks complex news stories and
    answers your spiritual questions.
    • All three programmes can be taken on an individual basis.
  • The 25 March sees the last edition of The Cultural Frontline as a weekly offer, as it becomes 6 ad hoc episodes annually.

The following programmes will be coming to an end:

  • The Compass – the last edition will be on the 22 March 2023
  • Tech Tent – the last edition will be on the 24 March 2023
  • The Science Hour – the last edition will be on the 26 March 2023
  • Digital Planet – the last edition will be on the 28 March 2023

Coming Soon

  • A new podcast, available Monday to Friday, will look at the news and issues that matter to global 16-24 year-olds. A radio version will be available to our partner stations.