BBC World Service gets new look on Freeview

The BBC World Service has been given a new look on Freeview to make it more user friendly.

Until recently, the international radio service just offered a static, blue page on the digital terrestrial platform that did not fit with the overall BBC Radio interactive branding.

Writing on the Press Red blog, BBC World Service editor of promotion and navigation Steve Martin pointed out that this was all the team could achieve "within our meagre bandwidth allocation".

However, he said the upgrade has been made possible due to a "recent reshuffle of services on the digital television multiplexes".

By utilising extra bandwidth made available, the Red Button radio interface will now offer greater functionality to the estimated one and a half million UK listeners of the World Service.

This includes live information on current and forthcoming programming, as well as up-to-date news headlines from around the world.

"The BBC World Service comprises live world news with investigations, documentaries, debate and discussion, and daily business, science, arts and sport," said Martin.

"It's a big mix so we try all we can to help listeners around our schedule to the programmes that interest them most. The new service on Freeview is designed to do just that."