According to the UK government’s new budget, the BBC World Service has received a funding boost. The undisclosed funding amount comes from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office.
BBC said the corporation “warmly welcomes” the additional funding, adding: “We are pleased the government has acknowledged the strong case for investing in the World Service. As the world’s most trusted broadcaster, we are in a unique position to lead the global news and information market.”
The corporation also said that the additional money could help with emergency information services in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine.
The budget document said, “In 2025-26, the settlement provides an increase in funding to the BBC World Service, protecting existing foreign language service provision and its mission to deliver globally trusted media, in support of the UK’s global presence and soft power.” The current settlement expires in March.
The government previously entirely funded the World Service but stopped in 2014. Now, it mainly gives grants for special projects along with some additional money.
