Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

BBC World Service Objectives, Priorities and Targets

01 February 2024 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Proposed by David Rutley Con Macclesfield

Foreign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • The Government has announced an 20m increase to the BBC World Service over two years.
  • The World Service Licence includes Objectives, Priorities and Targets set until 2025.
  • The minister will meet the BBC Chair annually to review the services and performance report.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the Objectives, Priorities and Targets (OPTs) for the BBC World Service Licence set until 2025.

Action requested

The Government has already announced an £20m uplift to the World Service over two years, protecting all 42 language services. The minister will meet the BBC Chair annually to discuss the services and performance report.

Key facts

  • The BBC World Service is the world's largest international news provider broadcasting in 42 languages.
  • Global audience targets for the World Service are set at 303m for 2023/24 and 306m for 2024/25.
  • In March 2023, the Government announced an £20m uplift to the World Service over two years.
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