About us: What is BBC World Service?
BBC World Service is the world's leading international radio broadcaster. It provides impartial news, reports and analysis in English and 26 other languages.
It is available to listen to in English on a variety of platform across the world including online, satellite and cable, AM, FM, shortwave and digital radio. Our help and frequently asked questions guide provides more information on ways to access BBC World Service.
BBC World Service aims to inspire and illuminate the lives of its audience by bringing the world together, making connections and helping listeners to make sense of the world. Its programmes - which range from news, education and entertainment - have a reputation for being authoritative, impartial and accurate.
While BBC World Service is publicly funded by the UK government through Parliamentary Grant-in-Aid, it is not subsidised by the Licence Fee. The Parliamentary Grant-in-Aid is administered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The FCO is involved in the process of deciding which languages are broadcast, but editorial control of the programmes rests entirely with the BBC.
Like the rest of the BBC, BBC World Service is accountable to the BBC Trust, appointed under the Royal Charter to act as trustees for the public interest and oversee all BBC activities.
BBC World Service is part of a global news division which includes the BBC's international English language TV channel BBC World News; the international online news service bbc.com/news; the global media tracking service BBC Monitoring; and the international charity BBC World Service Trust.