BBC World Unveils A New Look And A New Schedule

MEDIACOM-RELEASE-BBC-WORLDWIDE

BBC WORLD UNVEILS A NEW LOOK AND A NEW SCHEDULE

To Entertainment & Business Editors

Sydney, 31 March 2000/Medianet International-Asianet/-- BBC World is to launch a new look and a new programme schedule from 3 April 2000, aimed at capturing more of the growing international news market.

The change of image will provide a consistent identity with the BBC's domestic news channels, which have been re-branded during the past year, whilst also effectively communicating the overall channel identity of BBC World. A new set and graphics, utilising warm red and cream colours, and contempory identity music will reinforce BBC World's reputation as a modern, innovative and acessible global broadcaster.

BBC World's new look has been developed by the leading brand consultancy Lambie-Nairn, which was also responsible for the rebranding of the BBC's other news channels. Sharon Wheeler, Director of Marketing for BBC World, comments: "The new graphics are extremely contempory, whilst maintaining the integrity and quality of the channel. To coincide with these changes we also look forward to unveiling a new advertising campaign for BBC World, which will be rolled out internationally, again from 3 April."

During weekdays, the new schedule is built around comprehensive half-hour global news programmes - on the hour, around the clock - containing all the most up-to-date news, interviews, business reports, sports results and weather from the BBC's award-winning team of forecasters.

On the half hour, viewers can enjoy award-winnig current affairs, documentary and lifestyle programmes. New programmes this season include Click Online - bringing the latest on the Internet, new media and related electronic and technical advances, including e- commerce - and the fortnightly Australaia Direct. Additional, exteneded editions of World Business Report and Asia Today will also feature in the new schedule, each weekday.

At the weekend, the schedule will combine international news bulletins on the hour and a range of the BBC's finest factual programmes. Important breaking news-stories will continue to be covered in-depth at all times, both on weekdays and at weekends, overriding the schedule when necessary.

Patrick Cross, BBC World's Managing Director, comments: "The new schedule will enhance the channel's appeal to both audiences and advertisers, in that it is highly news focused and relevant to viewers at any time of the day, anywhere in the world. BBC World has a reputation for journalistic excellence and, as one would expect of the BBC's flagship international channel, its news coverage will continue to be of the highest quality, drawing on its unsurpassable broadcast news gathering capibilities."

BBC World is available in New Zealand through Saturn. 31 March 2000

RELEASED BY MEDIACOM

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