BBC World Service (1932-)

The BBC World Service, the world's largest international broadcaster, broadcasts radio and television news, speech and discussions in more than 40 languages to many parts of the world on analogue and digital shortwave platforms, Internet streaming, podcasting, satellite, DAB, FM and MW relays.

The service began on December 19, 1932 as the BBC Empire Service, aimed principally at English-speakers across the British Empire.

On January 3, 1938 the first foreign-language service was launched - in Arabic. Programmes in German started on March 29, 1938, and by the end of 1942 the BBC had started broadcasts in all major European languages. As a result, the Empire Service was renamed the BBC Overseas Service in November 1939, supplemented by the addition of a dedicated BBC European Service from 1941.

On May 1, 1965 the service took its current name of BBC World Service.

Find out more at Wikipedia* and History of the BBC (1930s)*

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