More of the world tunes in to the BBC despite cuts

LONDON - The BBC World Service has won its highest-ever listening figures, despite its controversial decision to slash 10 language services to fund a new Arabic television channel.

Its remaining 33 services now attract a record-breaking 163 million listeners a week - an increase of 14 million from 2005 and beating the previous high of 153 million in 2001.

The boost is down to major breaking news stories, more people tuning in via FM and increased access to Burma and Nepal.

Audiences rose in Kenya, where the World Service has been covering the recent corruption scandal, and in Nigeria, where there is a national debate over whether the President should serve a third term.

An extra 10 million people have tuned in via FM and short-wave and medium-wave listening has also risen.

Audiences for the English language network have risen to 42 million, up from 39 million last year.

In Africa and the Middle East, the number of listeners has increased by 7.6 million to 73.6 million.

The biggest increase, of 7.9 million, was recorded in the Asia and Pacific region, which now has a total of 61.1 million listeners.

- INDEPENDENT