That’s George Alagiah. He’s the host of an upcoming BBC World newscast “that is being done with Americans in mind.” TVNewser broke the news about the program back in April, when it was still known as “NewsHour.” Today, the BBC announced a new name, “World News Today,” and a premiere date, July 3 at 7am ET. It will be simulcast on BBC America.
“It will be seen throughout the world, but its timing and quick pace is being done specifically with Americans in mind,” the AP reports. Click continued to read the press release…
New York, NY, June 1, 2006 – BBC World News today unveiled its latest news programme, World News Today, which will be broadcast globally from July 3rd. The live programme will broadcast each weekday, and will air in the U.S during the morning peak time on the 24-hour BBC World News channel, which officially launches in the U.S. on June 1st. The programme will also be available live on the BBC America channel nationwide.
World News Today will feature breaking news and updates on global events, in-depth analysis by prominent commentators, and interviews with leading newsmakers and opinion leaders. The new programme will air globally, but it has been created specifically with the U.S. breakfast audiences in mind.
George Alagiah, a BAFTA award-winning journalist and one of the BBC’s most respected and well-known news anchors, will present the new hour-long programme at 7:00 am ET, Monday to Thursday. He currently co-presents the BBC’s Six O’clock News, a leading prime time news programme in the UK, and will continue in that role in addition to presenting World News Today on BBC World News.
Jeremy Hillman, BBC World News Editor, commented: “BBC World News Today will be compulsory viewing for anyone who wants to keep on top of world news. The new fast-moving format will retain the depth of analysis and impartiality of coverage, for which the BBC World News is known throughout the world. George Alagiah has achieved tremendous success as both a foreign correspondent and a news anchor for the BBC. His journalistic integrity and his ability to uncover the news behind the headlines will be crucial for the success of World News Today.â€
Mr. Alagiah added: “As a foreign correspondent for more than a decade, I witnessed first-hand how people around the world turned to the BBC for its sheer breadth of coverage and authority. Now, more than ever, American audiences are interested in finding out about global events and how they have an impact on their lives, and World News Today will bring them the day’s international news stories from an impartial and global perspective.â€
Mr. Alagiah joined the BBC in 1989 and worked as a foreign correspondent specialising in Africa and the developing world. In March 2002, he launched BBC FOUR’s international news programme and began presenting the BBC’s Six O’clock News in January 2003.
He has reported on many issues and events including the famine in Somalia, the genocide in Rwanda, the civil war in Liberia, Saddam Hussein’s campaign against the Iraqi Kurds and the aftermath of the terror attacks in New York. He has won several awards for his reporting, including a BAFTA award for his coverage of the Kosovo conflict.
The introduction of World News Today is part of the channel’s plan to establish regular, branded, hour-long news programmes throughout the day to ensure that BBC World News delivers tailored news programming during key breakfast and evening peak-times across all time zones.
Mr. Alagiah is in New York this week to help officially launch the BBC World News channel in the U.S.
The launch is supported by a groundbreaking interactive outdoor advertising campaign, which debuts in New York City on June 1st. The campaign, created by BBDO New York, communicates “unbiased international news†messages through three thought-provoking and powerful creative approaches, including a first-of-its-kind billboard that displays dramatic news photographs and invites people to text-in their votes on key news issues.
The 24-hour BBC World News channel is available to all iO: Interactive Optimum® digital cable customers throughout Cablevision’s New York metropolitan service area on channel 104.