News Broadcasting
BBC Radio’s record breaking 250 millionth request in 2005
MUMBAI: The BBC Radio Player – which allows people to listen to BBC programmes on the Internet – has reached another significant milestone in clocking up its 250 millionth request for on demand programming, 100 million of which have been in 2005.
The figures were released as BBC Radio websites broke all their previous records in October, with 7.7 million unique user agents visiting the sites and listening to 16.4 million hours of radio online.
More than 134 million hours – that’s almost 15,345 years of continuous listening -.of BBC Radio have been consumed via the Internet this year. Leading the on demand charge in October was BBC Radio 4, which experienced a 25 per cent increase in on demand listening hours. .
BBC Radio and Music Interactive controller Simon Nelson said, “These incredible figures show that people really value the option of listening online and catching up with their favourite programmes if they miss them.”
The figures also show that since January there have been a massive 4.5 million requests for The Archers on demand. The Archers received more than 700,000 listening requests – double the programme’s average monthly requests during 2004 – whilst new series Empire debuted at number five in the On Demand Top 30.
BBC 6 Music’s rebroadcast of John Peel’s 1967 BBC radio debut, as part of its 6 Music Plays It Again strand, became the network’s most requested ever programme on demand and contributed to a record 300,000 monthly on demand listening requests for the network.
BBC Radio 1’s Keeping It Peel minisite generated three million page impressions in October and helped push the network over three million monthly unique user agents for the first time.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
