The BBC has begun broadcasting two new bulletins of international news tailored for a US audience, airing free-to-air through the American PBS network. The programmes, fronted by Mike Embley in London, aim to offer American viewers a distinct perspective on global events, leveraging the BBC's extensive newsgathering network.
On the first day, reports included Richard Galpin from Georgia on EU monitors observing a Russian withdrawal, Mark Mardell from Brussels on European bank safeguards, Hugh Sykes in Iraq on the Awakening movement, and Jon Leyne in Tehran on the rise of blogging in Iran. The bulletins also covered the US Senate debate on the bail-out bill, placing it in a broader international context.
The partnership with KCET, a Southern California public television station, seeks to provide a speedy 25-minute round-up of the day's main global stories. The BBC has pledged to offer something different from US media, focusing on international news and providing context for US events. Over 80% of US viewers will have access to the programmes through PBS.
Meanwhile, Matt Frei's World News America programme on BBC America marked its first anniversary, having won a Peabody Award and signed veteran newsman Ted Koppel as Contributing Analyst. The programme has covered major international stories, from the assassination of Benazir Bhutto to the global economic crisis.
The BBC has not confirmed whether the bulletins will be made available on iPlayer for UK viewers. Funding for the programmes comes from commercial sources rather than the Licence Fee.
