The BBC is considering the launch of a satellite TV service aimed at Russian speakers.
Speaking about the Corporation’s plans for the next 10 years and ahead of its charter renewal in 2016, DG Tony Hall said that there would be “significant investment” in the BBC World Service.
Aside from the proposed Russian language TV channel, this would include a daily radio news programme for North Korea and more broadcasts to India and the Middle East.
BBC World Service’s allocation of the receiver licence fee in 2014-15 was £254 million, slightly higher than online’s £201million but only around a tenth of the £2,368 million for TV.
The Corporation’s plans come against the backdrop of state-sponsored competitors such as RT (Russia Today), Al Jazeera and China Central Television (CCTV) all growing in popularity.
