MUMBAI: BBC Minute, a pacey new one-minute news summary, launches globally on 1 April 2015.

The 60-second broadcast is aimed at digitally connected audiences and promises an alternative news source from the BBC World Service.  BBC Minute is available for download on iTunes and will also be distributed via partnerships with radio music stations around the world, particularly those aimed at younger listeners.

BBC Minute will keep audiences updated on what’s trending and being shared on social media as well as the latest international news headlines, plus sport, tech, entertainment and science. BBC Minute is updated twice an hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

World Service English controller Mary Hockaday says, “BBC Minute shows the World Service doing things differently.  We’re providing a lively, bite-sized summary of the day’s global news for younger audiences. I’m thrilled so many partner stations are keen to work with us to bring our impartial, accurate news – the world’s most trusted – to fresh listeners, as we’re always looking for new ways to reach new audiences.”

World Service senior commissioning editor Steve Titherington says, “BBC Minute provides direct news for the young and curious. Half the world is under 35. They are hungry for information and connected to the world in ways they themselves are shaping. BBC Minute shares in this change with new forms of storytelling and new forms of audio. The result is vibrant and quick but it’s also ruthlessly accurate and balanced. This is an alternative World Service but still the BBC World Service!”

BBC Minute has been running in Africa since February, with partners including YFM 99.2 in South Africa.

Now more radio stations around the world are signing up to BBC Minute, including RJFM 100.3 and DZRJ 810 AM nationwide on the Rajah Broadcasting Network, Inc. in the Philippines, and Splash FM in Nigeria.

Bea Jacinto, Assistant to the President of Rajah Broadcasting Network, Inc. says, "We welcome the BBC Minute which will fit perfectly into our listener profile of trendsetters, decision makers, and young professionals. We are very excited to be the only radio network in the Philippines to be launching this radio news programme with our long time media partner, the BBC World Service.”

Bisi Asomolowo, COO at Splash FM, says, “It’s amazing how much information can be absorbed in a minute over a whole day without having to sit through the usual formats of traditional news.  BBC Minute is very punchy, we love it at our station and I particularly find myself looking forward to the next ?bite size.”

The Beat 99.9 in Lagos, Nigeria, and Fresh FM in Namibia are among other new partner stations.

BBC Minute brings together the multi-lingual, multi-platform and international expertise from across BBC News.