BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the BBC, on Friday launched an all-new BBC.com. The new digital destination was designed to make it easier for global audiences outside of the UK to discover and navigate the best of the BBC’s global journalism and storytelling. Available first in North America, the new BBC.com will be rolled out to more regions (ex-UK) in early 2024.
The new BBC.com features more coverage in areas where the BBC resonates most with audiences – global news, business, innovation, and sustainability, among others – and more in-depth 360 analysis of the biggest stories from across the world. Built from the ground up, the site now boasts a premium design, refreshed navigation based on audience interests, and new editorial franchises and sections, delivering a more integrated user experience that brings together content from different areas of the BBC. Additionally, new ad tech enhancements maximize measurable audience engagement opportunities for advertisers. The launch helps further cement the BBC’s position as the definitive source for stories of global significance and is part of the company’s ongoing aim to build a digital-first global media organization.
"Today's launch represents meaningful change in how the BBC engages with consumers and partners across the world. By investing in our digital offering, we’re able to make BBC News more accessible and better serve our global audiences,” said Rebecca Glashow, CEO of Global Distribution, BBC Studios. “We’re excited to deliver a premium experience that’s in line with the renowned BBC brand, offers a tremendous opportunity for growth, and is a springboard for our continued investment in North America."
“In polarised times where disinformation is everywhere, the BBC is recognised as a trusted source of information for consumers. Audiences tell us they want more of our high-quality journalism that takes no sides and our high-impact reporting from around the world,” said Deborah Turness, CEO of BBC News. “The new BBC.com invites a new generation of consumers to experience the best of the BBC where and how they need it.”
Global News and Stories that Connect Us
Informed by extensive audience research, the new BBC.com features more of the BBC’s high-impact storytelling and reporting in the areas where it excels. The site leverages BBC News’ distinctive journalism and on-the-ground reporting, supported by 73 bureaux and a network of correspondents around the globe who deliver news in over 40 languages, to give global audiences better access to coverage of important topics, including global news, business, innovation, climate & sustainability, culture, and travel. It offers consumers the ability to stay connected to the biggest stories from around the world as they happen through several features like ‘live’ pages that offer active, up-to-the-minute updates on breaking news alongside other relevant content from across the BBC. For the first time, all current and recent ‘live’ pages from news and sports can be found in a new hub accessible from the homepage.
Facilitated by a recently expanded newsroom in North America, the site also has increased reporting of the top stories in the U.S. and Canada, including multiplatform coverage of the upcoming 2024 US election. Based in Washington D.C., New York and Toronto, the North American editorial team provides deeper analysis and local expertise of the regional stories affecting the world.
Additionally, BBC.com now features Earth, a new destination that offers a comprehensive spotlight on the importance of sustainability and the future of our planet. Through original reporting across formats, Earth helps break down the most important climate stories of the moment to make it easy for consumers to understand what matters, why it’s relevant to their lives and what action they can take.
From more live video and exclusive interviews to more robust long-form and archival content, the new BBC.com allows consumers to continue counting on the BBC to supply context on big moments of global interest and impact.