The future of the BBC World Service

BBC World Service provides trusted news to radio, TV and digital audiences around the world in 42 languages including English, reaching a global audience of 318 million. It is chiefly funded by the UK Licence Fee with additional grant funding of £104.4mn [FY 23/24 and 24/25 respectively] from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Under … Show more

BBC World Service provides trusted news to radio, TV and digital audiences around the world in 42 languages including English, reaching a global audience of 318 million. It is chiefly funded by the UK Licence Fee with additional grant funding of £104.4mn [FY 23/24 and 24/25 respectively] from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Under this arrangement, the BBC World Service has agreed not to close any language services – but this condition set to be lifted in 2025. BBC Director General, Tim Davie, made it clear in a speech in March 2024 that "we cannot keep asking UK Licence Fee payers to invest in (the World Service) when we face cuts to UK services. We will need to discuss a long-term funding solution for the World Service that comes from central government budgets." Given its impact on the UK’s development goals, and the projection of the UK’s values across the world, the International Development Committee launched a short inquiry to establish the case for increased Government support and make recommendations beyond the current support package finishing in 2025. The inquiry focused on the BBC’s offering to ODA eligible countries and the positive influence of the service as part of the UK’s Soft Power. Read the joint statement with the Foreign Affairs and Culture, Media and Sport Committees following the conclusion of this inquiry. Show less