BBC World Service
The world's radio station
Listen live to BBC World Service online for global news, international reporting, business, documentaries, interviews, analysis and talk programmes from the BBC.
About BBC World Service
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Frequencies & locations:
- DAB – Available on DAB digital radio in many parts of the UK.
- Freeview – Available on Freeview channel 710.
- Virgin Media – Available on Virgin Media channel 906.
- BBC Sounds – Available through BBC Sounds as BBC World Service.
- Online – Listen live online through Radio Player UK.
BBC World Service is the BBC’s international radio service, broadcasting global news, analysis, documentaries, business coverage, interviews and human stories for audiences around the world. Unlike BBC Radio 4 or 5 Live, its focus is not mainly domestic UK conversation: it looks outward, covering world events, politics, conflict, climate, science, culture, sport, economics and everyday life from an international perspective.
The station is built around clear reporting and global context. BBC World Service programmes such as Newsday, Newshour, The Newsroom and World Business Report help listeners follow the major stories shaping the day, while Outlook, The Documentary, Heart and Soul, The Food Chain and From Our Own Correspondent bring depth, personal stories and reporting from beyond the headline cycle.
BBC World Service has one of the strongest international reputations in radio because it combines BBC journalism with global reach. It is especially useful for listeners who want serious news without the noise of shouty opinion radio: world affairs, live updates, expert interviews, business stories, cultural reporting and documentaries that explain what is happening and why it matters.
Notable shows & presenters are:
- Newsday: A flagship BBC World Service news programme covering the start of the global news day, with live reporting, interviews, analysis and stories from across continents.
- Newshour: One of BBC World Service’s best-known current affairs programmes, bringing extended interviews, international reporting and analysis of major world stories.
- The Newsroom: A core BBC World Service news strand offering concise global news coverage, updates and context from BBC correspondents and reporters.
- World Business Report: A business news programme covering markets, companies, jobs, trade, technology, money stories and the economic forces behind global events.
- Business Daily: A deeper business and economics programme exploring how money, work, industry, innovation and global trade affect people’s lives.
- Outlook: A long-running human-interest programme built around remarkable personal stories, first-hand experiences and unusual lives from around the world.
- The Documentary: BBC World Service’s documentary strand, using reported features, interviews and narrative storytelling to explore global issues in greater depth.
- Heart and Soul: A programme exploring faith, belief, ethics, spirituality and identity through stories and reporting from different parts of the world.
- Sportsworld: BBC World Service’s international sports programme, covering major events, live updates, interviews and global sporting stories.
- From Our Own Correspondent: A classic BBC reporting strand where correspondents reflect on the people, places and stories behind international news.
Contact Information
Official website:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio
Studio email:
worldservice.letters@bbc.co.uk
BBC Switchboard:
+44 20 7240 3456
Postal address:
BBC World Service
BBC Broadcasting House
London
W1A 1AA
United Kingdom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcworldservice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcworldservice/
X / Twitter: https://x.com/bbcworldservice
BBC World Service FAQ
What is BBC World Service?
BBC World Service is the BBC’s international radio service, covering global news, analysis, business, documentaries, interviews, culture, science, sport and human-interest stories.
Can I listen to BBC World Service live online?
Yes. You can listen to BBC World Service live online through Radio Player UK using the player on this page.
What programmes are on BBC World Service?
BBC World Service programmes include Newsday, Newshour, The Newsroom, World Business Report, Business Daily, Outlook, The Documentary, Heart and Soul, Sportsworld and From Our Own Correspondent.
Is BBC World Service available on DAB?
Yes. BBC World Service is available on DAB digital radio in many parts of the UK, as well as on Freeview, Virgin Media, BBC Sounds and online.
Is BBC World Service the same as BBC Radio 4?
No. BBC Radio 4 is mainly a UK speech station, while BBC World Service focuses on international news, global reporting, documentaries, business, culture and stories from around the world.