BBC Charter renewal plans: Lord Hall announces plans for World Service including North Korea broadcast

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The BBC is expected to announce an expansion of the World Service, including its first broadcasts into North Korea, as Lord Hall lays out plans for the corporation's future.

In a speech, Director General Tony Hall will announce the "Open BBC" plan, which will also include a network of 100 "public service reporters" shared with local news providers.

The broadcaster is laying out its own vision for the future ahead of Royal Charter renewal next year.

Alongside its vision for local news, the BBC is planning to enhance the World Service output, including:

  • A satellite TV service for Russian speakers or a larger digital offering on platforms such as YouTube and its Russian equivalent, Rutube

  • A daily news programme for North Korea, broadcast on short wave radio

  • BBC Arabic Service to offer more regional content, with increased coverage of North Africa and the Middle East

  • A news service for Ethiopia and Eritrea on medium wave and short wave radio

The World Service proposals are part of a running skirmish with state-sponsored news organisations worldwide, including Al-Jazeera, China Central Television (CCTV) and RT (previously Russia Today), which have huge resources at their disposal and now challenge for viewers in the UK.

The shortwave news bulletin will provide information to millions of North Korea. Credit: Reuters

The corporation is likely to ask the government for funds for the World Servive - cash it will match with its own raised through commerical enterprises. Traditionally the service has seen some backing from the Foreign Office to help the UK project its "soft power" influence across the globe.

Earlier this year the BBC's Future of News report warned:

Other proposals in the Director General's vision include a children's only iPlayer and more collaborative partnerships with the likes of the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Tate and the Science Museum.

Director general Tony Hall says the aim is to turn the BBC into "an open platform for British creativity".