MUMBAI: The BBC World Service has launched four new 24-hour FM relays in Mozambique. This will bring BBC programmes in Portuguese and English to listeners across the country.
The BBC has extended its partnership with Radio Mozambique to four provincial capitals where the new relays opened. They are Xai Xai on 100.9 FM, Beira on 100.9 FM, Nampula on 88.3 FM and Quelimane on 95.3 FM (where TV Mozambique is hosting the BBC transmitter).
BBC broadcasting manager for Africa and the Middle East Michel Lobelle was quoted in an official release saying, "The new FM relays represent a milestone in the long established co-operation between the BBC and Radio Mozambique. It is vitally important that our programmes be heard in perfect quality and we are grateful to our partners and our friends at Radio and TV Mozambique for this exciting development.
The BBC World Service has already been broadcasting on 95.5 FM in the country's capital Maputo since 1998. BBC regional executive editor for Africa and Middle East Kari Blackburn said, "The BBC audience in Maputo increased almost ten times from six per cent in 1995 to 57 per cent in 2001. This was a result of the opening of a BBC World Service FM relay."
The BBC World Service broadcasts in 43 languages, including Portuguese, in over 200 countries in short wave, medium wave and FM. It has an FM presence in 140 capitals