MUMBAI: BBC Global News has extended its relationship with online video community YouTube by signing an agreement to add six BBC video news channels in Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Persian and Urdu to its existing BBC World News channel.
In what is the first multi-language deal by a major international news broadcaster with YouTube, users will have access to high quality, independent and impartial news clips produced by the BBC World Service in six languages. Video news stories will run each day across the different language Channels and each channel will be branded and tailored to its specific audience.
The videos will also be fully discoverable via Google Video search. BBC Global News Director of Strategy and Business Development Jim Egan says, “We are very pleased to extend our relationship with Google through the planned launch of six new channels, offering video news to YouTube’s users in Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Persian and Urdu. “This deal reflects BBC Global News’ determination to reach and engage with audiences across the world in unique and pioneering ways.”Patrick Walker, YouTube’s Director of Video Partnerships for Europe, Middle East and Africa, says: “YouTube is a truly global platform that connects millions of people from all over the world, many of whom have a strong interest in international news. “By bringing top quality news content to the YouTube community in many languages, the BBC is taking an innovative step to engage with this large and diverse audience.” The six new language channels are set to launch by the end of this year.