BBC World Service Radio

BBC World Service broadcasts around the world in English and many other languages. These broadcasts have traditionally been on short wave (SW), though nowadays there are also other ways of listening.
In the UK, you can listen to BBC World Service on all the digital platforms: DAB digital radio, digital terrestrial TV (Freeview), satellite (Freesat & Sky), cable and broadband.
The BBC’s English for Europe service broadcasts on digital radio in parts of Europe. This uses the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) system, which allows digital broadcasting on AM (long, medium and short wave). To listen, you need a DRM digital radio.

How to listen to BBC World Service
The easiest way to listen to the BBC World Service is through the BBC Sounds app on Android, iOS and on many Smart TVs, or through the BBC Sounds website.
See: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds

BBC World Service is also available through the airable.fm internet radio portal.
See: https://airable.fm

BBC Radio is available on the myTuner app on Android, iOS Microsoft Windows and on Smart TVs. On the myTuner website BBC streams open on an external BBC player which requires you to login.
See: https://mytuner-radio.com

BBC World Service Bitrates in Europe
BBC Sounds streams are available at 320 kbps HLS AAC for UK listeners.
BBC Sounds streams are available at 96 kbps HLS AAC for international listeners.

On DAB in the UK, BBC World Service is available at 64 kbps Mono.
On Freeview in the UK, BBC World Service is available at 96 kbps Mono.

BBC World Service on satellite in Europe
Astra 2 at 28.2° East, BBC World Service is available at 96 kbps Mono.
Astra 1 at 19.2° East, BBC World Service Europe (96 kbps Mono)
Eutelsat Hotbird 13° East:
BBC World Service Europe (192 kbps Joint-Stereo)
BBC World Service Middle East (192 kbps Joint-Stereo).

BBC World Service on BBC Sounds

BBC World Service Radio is available for free on BBC Sounds (UK only), the station is available in mono. It is streamed at 64 kbps AAC.

Please note that streaming radio is a data-intensive service. Whilst the BBC does not charge for its mobile content, your operator’s charges for using the internet over mobile networks may apply, and would be significantly increased whilst roaming outside of the UK.
Connecting via Wi-Fi is recommended, where possible.
The BBC World Service, along with most other BBC radio stations is available on many free radio apps for Android, iOS and Windows.

See: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_world_service

Availability

Africa
The BBC World Service remains widely available across Africa through a combination of traditional radio, satellite television, and modern digital platforms. Online access for international listeners is through the BBC App (Not BBC Sounds).

Radio Frequencies (FM, AM, and Shortwave)
The BBC operates regional feeds specifically for East and Southern Africa and West and Central Africa.

FM Relays: The BBC has its own 24-hour dedicated relays in many major cities.
Accra, Ghana: 101.3 FM
Nairobi, Kenya: 93.9 FM
Kampala, Uganda: 101.3 FM
Kinshasa, DR Congo: 92.6 FM.

Partner Stations: Local stations across the continent rebroadcast selected BBC programmes, such as Focus on Africa, alongside their local content.
Shortwave & Medium Wave: While less common today, shortwave remains a fallback for remote areas. Listeners are encouraged to check the global shortwave frequency chart for the best reception in their specific region.

For more information on BBC World Service shortwave frequencies in Africa, see Listening on Short Wave in Africa
For more information on transmitter relays & rebroadcasts in Africa, see BBC Relay Partners (PDF).

The Americas
SiriusXm Satellite Radio rebroadcast the World Service over commercial satellite radio to Canada and the United States, and more than 300 public radio stations across the U.S. carry World Service news broadcasts, mostly during the overnight and early-morning hours, over AM and FM radio, through American Public Media (APM). Listeners also have the option of calling a U.S. number in order to listen to a live stream, 712-432-6580. The BBC and Public Radio International (PRI) co-produce the programme The World with WGBH Radio Boston, and the BBC is also involved with The Takeaway morning news programme based at WNYC in New York City. BBC World Service programming also airs as part of CBC Radio One’s CBC Radio Overnight schedule in Canada.

The BBC broadcasts to Central America and South America in several languages. It is possible to receive the Western African shortwave radio broadcasts from eastern North America, though the BBC does not guarantee reception in this area.
See www.siriusxm.com

Broadcasting House – Home of the BBC World Service

Asia
The BBC World Service is available up to eighteen hours a day in English across Asia, and in Arabic for the Middle East. With the addition of relays in Afghanistan and Iraq, these services are accessible in most of the Middle and Near East, at least in the evening.

In Hong Kong and Singapore, the BBC World Service in English is essentially treated as a domestic broadcaster, easily available through long-term agreements with Radio Television Hong Kong and MediaCorp Radio. In the Philippines, DZRJ 810 AM airs the BBC World Service in English from 00.00 – 05.00.
The World Service can be received on Short Wave from the East Asian Relay located in Thailand on 6195, 9740, 15310/360 and 17790/760 kHz.

Australia & New Zealand
In Australia and New Zealand, the BBC World Service is primarily available through digital streaming, satellite, and local radio relays. Official direct shortwave broadcasts to these regions were terminated in 2001.

Broadcasting House Aerial — Broadcasting House in London

Digital & Online
BBC App & Website: You can stream the BBC World Service live 24/7 and access on-demand content via the BBC app (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play) or the BBC World Service website.
Podcasts: Major platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify host popular programs like the Global News Podcast.

Local Radio Relays (AM/FM/DAB+)
Many local public and community broadcasters relay parts of the World Service schedule:

Australia:
ABC NewsRadio: Relays substantial portions of BBC World Service programming overnight and on weekends across its national network.
SBS: Relays the BBC World Service African English service 24/7 on its DAB+ (digital radio) service in major cities.
Community Stations: Various community stations, such as 2MBS-FM (Sydney) and 4MBS (Brisbane), air selected news bulletins or programs.

New Zealand:
Auckland Radio Trust (ART): Transmits the World Service 24 hours a day in the Auckland region on 810 AM.
RNZ (Radio New Zealand): Rebroadcasts selected BBC feature programs on its national network.
AREC FM: Carries the service 24/7 in the Wellington region (e.g., 107.0 MHz in the CBD).

Satellite (Direct-to-Home)
Australia: Available via satellite operators including Foxtel, Austar, and Optus Aurora.
New Zealand: Often included in digital satellite packages; check with local providers like Sky NZ for current channel line-ups.

Europe
A number of local radio stations in continental Europe broadcast the BBC World Service on FM or AM frequencies. This may be the 24-hour English service or selected programming broadcast along with the stations’ own output.

In some countries, notably Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland and Austria, BBC World Service can be heard on DAB+ or cable FM frequencies in many cities.
Contact your local cable network to see if BBC World Service is one of the channels on offer.
In France, BBC World Service is available via CanalSat and in Greece and Cyprus via Multichoice Hellas.

On satellite, the BBC World Service is available Free-To-Air (FTA) from:
Astra 1L 19.2° East, Transponder 24 – 11.568 vertical polarization and Eutelsat Hot Bird 13B at 13° East, transponder 50, vertical polarisation, 11.727 MHz, Service ID 13907.
Hot Bird 8 13.0° East, services cover the whole of Europe, including the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores, Iceland, western Greenland and Malta.
Longwave frequency (LW),198 kHz normally carries BBC World Service between 0100 and 0530 GMT in winter, 0000 and0430 GMT in summer (and the BBC’s domestic channel BBC Radio 4 at other times). Although this is a BBC Radio 4 frequency intended to serve the UK, 198 kHz is usually audible in parts of countries bordering the North Sea and the English Channel.

Pacific
Shortwave relays from Singapore and the BBC Asia Relay Station in Thailand continue to provide coverage in some areas of the Pacific.
Pacific Islands:
Kiribati (Tarawa): 95 FM & 100 FM (24 hours)
Marshall Islands (Majuro): 98.5 FM (24 hours)
Micronesia (Pohnpei): 101.1 FM
Palau: Available via local partners; see local listings for specific frequencies.
Hawaii: Direct reception from North American satellite services is generally unavailable, however, it may be possible to pick up shortwave frequencies intended for East Asia.

BBC Atlantic Relay on Ascension Island

The position of Ascension Island, 8 degrees South and 14 degrees West, makes it an ideal site for short save broadcasting to Africa and South America. Reversible antenna arrays allow coverage of Africa during the day and South America during the night. Construction of the BBC Atlantic Relay Station on Ascension Island began in 1965 at English Bay and it became fully operational in late 1967. The Power Station was constructed to provide electricity for the transmitters as well for those on the Island.

Transmitters
The station operates six powerful shortwave transmitters, each with a carrier power of 250 kW.
Marconi BD272 (2 units): These original transmitters have been in daily use since the station opened in 1966.
RIZ K01 (4 units): More modern units that are capable of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) transmissions.

Antenna Infrastructure
The site features HF curtain arrays supported by towers ranging from 60 to 125 metres in height. Each transmitter can be remotely switched to one of over 20 different antennas to target specific regions

An automatic control system was installed to carry out all the transmitter programme and aerial switching operations that were required by the daily transmission schedule. A 500-watt mediumwave transmitter on 1485 kHz was added at the transmitting station and a 400 watt VHF transmitter on 93.2MHz was installed on Green Mountain.

Programming for the BBC World Service comes directly from Broadcasting House in London via a Satellite Earth Station located close to the Transmitter Building which was installed in 1985.
BBC Atlantic Relay photo, courtesy of Les Smith

BBC World Service Radio on satellite

BBC World Service is available by satellite in many parts of the world, including Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf, Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, the Americas and Australasia.
If you have an Internet connection, it may be far cheaper and easier to listen online.

BBC World Service in Europe

Astra 2E at 28.2° East
Transponder 46 – 10.788 Vertical
SR: 22000
FEC 5/6
Beam: UK Spotbeam

Astra 1N at 19.2° East
Transponder 24 – 12.363 Vertical
SR: 27500
FEC: 3/4
Beam: Europe, North Africa & the Canary Islands

Eutelsat Hot Bird 13B at 13° East
Transponder 50 – 11.727 Vertical
SR: 27500
FEC: 3/4
Beam: Europe & the Canary Islands

BBC World Service around the Globe

Apstar 7 at 76.5° East
Transponder 12A – 4071 Horizontal (C Band)
SR: 4300
FEC: 3/4
Beam: Global Eastern Hemisphere (Africa, Asia, Europe & Australia)

Badr 4 at 26.0° East
Transponder 15 – 11.996 Horizontal
SR: 27500
FEC: 3/4
Beam: Ku-Band BSS – Middle East & Europe

Intelsat 10-02 1.0° West
Transponder 24 – 4025 Right (C Band)
SR: 7324
FEC: 2/3
Beam: Global – Eastern Hemisphere

Intelsat 20 at 68.5° East
Transponder LM15C – 4064 Horizontal (C Band)
SR: 19850
FEC: 7/8
Beam: Global Eastern Hemisphere (Africa, Asia, Europe & Australia)